Two Entangling Fates

What an intense ending to a very interesting book! Two separate worlds collide; each unable to escape the other. Events keep on building which effect both the lives of Delaney Mossbacher, a white, upper-class American citizen and Candido Rincon, an illegal Mexican immigrant. A freak car accident, an out of control blazing fire, and finally a severe mudslide allows these two men's lives to intertwine. But what makes this book so unique that it deserves much attention? Is it the style? Is it the character development? Or is it the plot? The answer is none of the above. The core aspect of the novel The Tortilla Curtain by T.C Boyle that makes it extremely interesting is the consistent juxtaposition of the tribulations Whites and Mexicans both face. As you read you begin to develop the same hate as the characters possess in the novel, hate that you can not believe you have. I was astonished with my own feelings towards Candido and at times Delaney as well. Also, the novel contains the themes of racism, the American Dream, and survival. Each theme is heavily portrayed giving the reader a deep sense of the ideas the author wanted to convey. The book focuses (generally) on how people judge each other due to ethnicity , stereotypes, and pure stupidity. More specifically, the constant misunderstanding between a race that lives each day in luxury and one that clings to the hope of surviving another day. Personally, my emotions towards these two men swayed with each different chapter. At some points my heart was with Delaney, while other times I pitied Candido and his wife America.

I began researching the book online - looking for interesting videos, websites, or criticism - when I stumbled upon an interesting movie trailer for The Tortilla Curtain made by some other students. Its music is very appropriate and the scenes are factual to the book.



Let's swerve away from the actual text....shall we? The topic of illegal immigrants is the basis of this novel -this is a very controversial yet interesting topic to research. Should immigrants from Mexico be allowed to cross the border into the United States? Clearly, they should not. There comes a point in time when to many immigrants has a negative effect. If I continue my research on this on going issue of border control and the number of illegal aliens entering the United States, my next blog will be focused on the facts; it will settle any misunderstood thoughts and sentiments regarding this issue.