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The Tortilla Curtain

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The Tortilla Curtain
In The Tortilla Curtain by T.C Boyle, the author clearly illustrates the borders in the lives of the Mossbachers and the Rincons: as not only physical borders but mental. These borders separate each couple into their own worlds and show the idea of the American Dream can never truly be achieved. The Mossbachers are a middle-class, white family that lives in the Arroyo
Blanco Estates. They have a nice house, two expensive cars, and can buy about whatever they please but they unsatisfied, still wanting more. The Rincons on the other hand, live on the streets, they never have enough of anything, and in order to survive Candido has to become a thief. They came to America hoping to start a better life for their coming baby but a series of unfortunate events keeps them from ever
…show more content…
He thinks that if he can provide for his family that his American Dream will be reached but as the novel continues he realizes how his actions are negatively affect
America. Candido also seems to have bad luck, he has been robbed countless times, he is hit by
Delancey in his car,and he starts a huge fire, that most almost kills America. It seems no matter how much closer he is to his American Dream, his bad luck stops him.
Throughout The Tortilla Curtain, both physical and mental border separate each character into their own worlds and stops them from ever achieving the American Dream. Even though the
Massbachers seem to already life the American Dream, both Delancy and Kyra want more. Their desires for something else shows how even americans can not reach the American Dream. The
Rincons, no matter how hard they work also seem unable to reach their American Dream. Of having a house and other basic needs like food, water, or clothing. Both of these couples show that no matter the lifestyle someone lives, or either they are born in America, they can never achieve the American Dream. The American Dream is simply an impossible idea that someone made look reachable and

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