CCQC #1 – American Dream
A large theme seen in Tom Coraghessan Boyle’s novel “The Tortilla Curtain” is the search for the American Dream and lifestyle. Boyle sets up a strong contrast between the dreams of the Rincón family (the illegal Mexicans) and the dreams of the Mossbacher family (the white Americans). By comparing the two, Boyle shows how immigrants see the American Dream and how many citizens of the United States are living the Dream yet want more, not fully appreciating the life they were born with. Cándido and América Rincón arrived in the United States hoping to create a better life. Delaney and Kyra Mossbacher had everything the Rincón family wanted, yet they still felt unfulfilled. All of the immigrants in Boyle’s novel have a similar dream, their goals in life simply to be able to live comfortably, to have a steady job, and to not have to wonder every day whether or not they will have money to eat. América described her American dream as “A house, a yard, maybe a TV and a car too – nothing fancy, no palace like the gringos built – just four walls and a roof. Was that too much to ask?” (Pg 29). The immigrants wish for things that most Americans just expect. The Rincón family wants “laws and respect and human dignity" (Pg 27). Boyle points out that this is something that thousands of Americans have and take advantage of, not appreciating their privilege nearly as much as they should.
On the other side of the spectrum, the people that the immigrants feel are living the American lifestyle are still striving for more. Kyra Mossbacher wants more than “One of those Spanish Mission Houses (floor plan #A227C, Rancho White with Navajo trim)” (Pg. 30) she wants the incredibly ostentatious Da Ros property sitting high on the hill. When describing the home, Boyle even states that Kyra knows that it has more rooms than anyone would know what to do with, an idea that completely opposes the Rincón families idea of the American Dream. Kyra most likely was born into the life she lived, a life different than many would ever get the chance to experience.
“The Tortilla Curtain” shows how the American Dream can be changed depending on the perspective – those looking in and those already inside. James Truslow Adams in 1931 defined the American Dream as "that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement … too many of us ourselves have grown weary and mistrustful of it. It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position." Adams describes the American Dream as how the immigrants in Boyle’s novel see it. Boyle as well describes the perspective of those who already live in the United States, those who are already “living the Dream” and yet they are unsatisfied still. The problem Boyle is trying to pull out of todays society is the constant yearning for more and more and more without appreciating or accepting what most already have.
CCQC #2 Jack Jardine & Jack Jardine Jr.
In “The Tortilla Curtain”, the character of Jack Jardine is the epitome of the successful, upper middle class, white American. Jack Jr., Jack Jardine’s son, represents the violent anti-immigration sentiment many Americans hold. Jack is the Mossbachers’ family friend and legal consultant. Throughout the novel Jack walks a fine line between a racist and a self-righteous man with concerns of the safety of his neighbors. His son however, vandalizes, destroys, and objectifies his way through the book without much cause. Jack is an interesting character because in a number of ways he represents a rational side to the anti-immigration arguments. He voices a number of credible points “Do you have any idea what these people are costing us, and not just in terms of crime, but in real tax dollars for social services?” (Pg. 102). Jacks character provides an interesting argument because illegal immigration does hurt the economy. Illegal immigrants do take away jobs from citizens. But, Jack takes his argument to such an extreme that it is hard for one to feel that his views of illegal immigrants and his opinions about them are purely because of his concern about the economy and country. Jack’s self-righteous views shine when he spoke to Delaney: "Don't be surprised, because this is only the beginning. We're under siege here – and there's going to be a backlash"(Pg. 146), often persuading him to change his positive views on immigration. Jack represents the rational yet extreme side to anti- immigration, bringing up a view that is still battling for its voice to be heard today in the United States.
Jack Jardine Jr. is represented through his violent tendencies. As one of the most hate filled character in the book, Jack Jr. represents an important part of racism in society: youths. When comparing him to his father, he is more racist, violent, and defensive towards immigrants. This shows the amplification of racism across generations, Delaney having no doubt that his son Jordan will end up with the same attitude. Jack Jr. is first introduced when he and his friend attack Cándido and América Rincón’s camp and destroy all of their possessions. Jacks says, “‘Shit, man, one of them’s a girl,’ the bigger one said, holding up América’s everyday dress … The bigger one tore the dress in two, balled up the halves and flung them at the other one” (Pg. 61-62). Jack uses his more physical and hate-filled racist to not only symbolically disrespect and hate women but mark their homes with notes like “BEANERS DIE”. Cándito points out an interesting fact in this scene: “Cándito confirmed what his ears had suspected: these weren’t men; they were boys, overgrown boys” (Pg. 62). Jack Jr. was just a boy, and yet he felt he had strong enough feelings against immigration to destroy and vandalize an immigrants home. These actions in comparison to his fathers rational and harsh words is a large generation jump in how people think about immigration. Today in the United States, it seems that Boyles concern over the expansion of the anti-immigration movement is pointless. Although there is a population of almost 11 million immigrants in the United States, there is not that much movement going on to get them out. Even President Obama in November 2014 started executive action, prioritizing deporting “felons not families”, protecting thousands of immigrants already in the United States.
I find it strange to see the obvious theme of racial fear and tension seeems to follow the US through time. In APUSH, we are have talked about and found a theme of how over the years, Americans hate and fear other immigrants for fear that they will take their jobs at lower rates. This hatred was often extended onto the German, Irish, Asian and Eastern European immigrants who came during the mid 1800's. This same fear can now be seen in the book and real life as hatred towards the Latino-American immigrants and the same fears of jobs and the economy, especially from the lower classes. Even though the Arroyo Blanco community is quite affluent and in no danger of having jobs taken due to immigrant labor, the fears are still there, as a possessive need to know that they are secure in their livelihoods, the way they support their families and can live in such comfort as they do behind their gates.
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