The American dream is thought of becoming wealthy and having everything you want and more. Although that might be the typical American dream, in the novel, The Tortilla Curtain written by T. Coraghessan Boyle, we learn about the ideal goals wanted from two different social classes. In the story we have an American couple, Delaney and Kyra Mossbacher, a writer and a realtor from downtown LA. In contrast, we learn about Candido and America Rincon, the two illegal Mexican immigrants from Tepoztlan trying to escape poverty and are fighting for each other to achieve the “American dream”. There are different obstacles the two couples face through the novel, racism, animals, and in fact, the American dream. Racism is indefinitely an important theme…show more content… The coyotes being the more distinguished symbol comparing to the Mexican immigrants. The coyotes stir up trouble when “a coyote had somehow managed to get into the enclosure and seize one of the dogs…”(37 Boyle) noticed by Delaney after hearing a horrifying shriek from Sacheverell. In conclusion to this, they put up an even taller fence, unfortunately, another coyote attacks their second dog, Osbert. This encounter in the story compares to the Mexican immigrants coming to America trying to get past the border and make a living. The coyotes, much like immigrants, are feared and hated, but are very determined in what they want and will do anything to survive. In America's favor, she found a job Candelario offered to her and Mary by Jim Shirley at the labor exchange to work for a low paying wage. While Jim hired America knowing she is an illegal immigrant he still spreads stories and crimes of the immigrants. Jim touched America inappropriately and even cut her two hours short from her pay. Days later America gets raped by Jose Navidad, “She clenched her eyes shut, and gritted her teeth” (142 Boyle). Jose rapes women and intrudes other people's property and does whatever he pleases. These actions by different characters resemble the
