Kaur

Simranjit Kaur
English 103
Professor Mccormick
23 July 2016
The American Nightmare
His eyes. They pierced through her like tomahawks. They scathed the surface of her
bared, adolescent bodice. She slices her glance with his and sees how empty they truly are, so
blue and bright, yet no depth at all. It takes her back to the lake behind her farmstead. Her mother
always warned her not to swim out too far, for fear of drowning. But it was not deep at all,
simply a farce to keep her safe and obedient. On their rare trips to the farmstead, her mother
would twirl her around, slipping sunshine through her champagne hair onto her toddler face. The
evening warmed by her childish giggling melting into the humming of her fathers guitar. That
night, she caught a fish in that very lake. Her father had gutted and cooked it for her to enjoy.
She was so proud; she was just like her brothers. Soon after, they returned to the city. The city of
corruption, poverty and misery. There were no jobs to be had nor education to be partaken in.
Years pass and now her brothers considered joining the nearby gangs. It would have provided
money and protection, they said. She knew better, it would only bring death to their threshold.
She sold the last of her items and paid a man who said he can get her over the border. What lay
behind the wall was a mystery, a dream of sorts. She had heard of great wealth and opportunity
in this foreign land. In America. She promised her father that she would bring the family out of
its debts and misery. She would make money in this new land, and then, buy back their land and
the lake would be hers again. That empty, blue lake. Now, as the gravel and scorching sand
molds into her soft back, as the mans eyes ravage her exposed body, as he plunges himself into

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her with a grunt and a smirk, she thinks back to that dream; that dream behind the wall. Was it
worth it? Was losing herself worth the chance of a myth? The dream behind the wall, the
American dream is seen by countless people of the world. They are lured by grandeur,
grandiosity, wealth and happiness. If only hard work, honesty and determination could buy all
that. Many immigrants, legal and illegal come for the same thing. The goal to turn dreams into
reality. However, the dream born without ancestors has died with them. It is buried, six feet
under, and never to be exhumed again. Young women and children, dangerously, pay coyotes, or
agents of sorts to get them past the borders to hopefully make a nice living in the new nation.
Often times, payment in the form of money is not enough. Starvation, physical and sexual abuse
is an another name for the pilgrimage to America these days. And, once they get here, it is rare to
achieve that dream. Comparatively, in T.C. Boyles novel, The Tortilla Curtain, Candido and
America Rincon experience immigration in America at its finest. Riddled with starvation,
homelessness, unemployment, racism, bigotry, and loss, the novel depicts the reality of the
American dream in todays era. Not only for unfortunate immigrants like the Rincons, but for the
seemingly well to do Americans as well. Everyone shares into the longing and urging of a dream,
but they also share in on the flimsiness of the dream as well. The American dream is just that, a
dream. It lives in the minds of those who refuse the present and quench for tomorrow. Boyle
compares the dreams of both the Rincons and the well to do Mossbachers, and discusses the
reality of the American dream. Therefore, T.C. Boyle employs symbolism throughout The
Tortilla Curtain, to elucidate the theme of the unreachable fantasy that is the American Dream.

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The characteristics of the American dream are coupled with loss and misery, as seen with
the symbolism of the coyote. The coyotes presence embarks fears in the Arroyo Blanco
community and a threat to the Rincons living in the canyon. A danger in itself as a hunting
predator but also a representation of those who cross the border, the coyote depicts the American
struggle. The coyote represents intrusion, theft and fear to the residents of Arroyo Blanco but a
symbol of the Rincons. Just as coyotes scavenge the landscapes for meat and food, immigrants
like Candido scrape for the American dream. When Delaney Mossbachers pet dog is mercilessly
preyed upon by a coyote, he and his family are enraged. Delaney blames the community for the
death of his dog and states, This didnt have to happen. [] If it wasnt for those idiots leaving
food out for the coyotes as if they were nothing more than sheep with bushy tails and eyeteeth
and hed warned them [] but nature was least of their problems. It was humans they were
worried about. The Salvadorans, the Mexicans, the blacks [] (39). Interestingly, Delaney
places the death of his dog on his communitys shoulder rather than the coyote itself. The
community fears the oncoming of more and more immigrants into their community but
disregards their need to do so. They never think to themselves regarding the immigrants
lifestyles back home and why they would give up their homes, family and friends to come to a
foreign and unwelcoming nation. Just as the coyote is hated for its natural inclinations to survive,
immigrants also pose a threat to the comfortable Americans. In their minds, they will ravage their
nation of wealth and opportunity and take it as plunder to their nations. In reality, whatever they
manage to scrape by and feed themselves with, that is all immigrants like Candido have to
indulge in. In the beginning, Delaney seems sympathetic to the immigrants as he writes about the
Coyote in his wildlife magazine, The coyote is not to blamehe is only trying to survive, to
make a living, to take advantage of the opportunities available to him they keep coming,

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breeding up to fill the gaps, moving in where the living is easy. They are versatile, hungry,
cunning and unstoppable. (76). Delaneys views regarding the immigrants are shared with his
views of the coyotes. A man of nature, Delaney understands it is nature for predator to seek prey,
but is disgruntled his dog became breakfast. In such a way, he is upset at how close nature
actually got to him, he is also inherently disgruntled with the presence of immigrants in the
canyon behind his house and in his community. It not the fault of the Mexicans and the coyotes
for crossing barriers to reach the goods, but rather the Americans who encourage this by serving
it to them. Although Americans claim they do not like immigrants stealing their jobs, they are the
ones providing them with opportunities to succeed, in any little way possible. Just as Delaneys
neighbors leave food on their back porches for the coyotes to feed on, Americans provide hope
for the immigrants as well. Immigrants like Candido and America are just trying to take make a
living based on the opportunities provided to them. As the coyote and the immigrants begin to
approach closer and closer into his life, Delaneys distaste for them grows. In the novel, Delaney
is one characterization of the American public and voice. As seen through the eyes and mind of
Delaney, the coyote symbolizes the struggle and reality of immigrants like Candido. They are
neither welcomed nor respected, rather endured for a time being. The American dream to the
Rincons was a nice roof over their heads, a steady job with recurrent income and plentiful food.
The reality was that jobs were hard to come by and hatred from the community. Candido much
like other immigrants in America, struggles to get by. In fact, one pertinent and pressing issue
that Boyles novel focuses on is that of how illegal immigrants are taking away jobs from U.S.
citizens. But the truth is that Americans do not want to do the same work, they want better rights,
better bonuses, better working conditions for better wage. In his essay, The Worker Next
Door, Barry R. Chiswick, suggests that if the nation were to not have any immigrants, ...would

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lettuce not be picked, groceries not bagged, hotel sheets not changed, and lawns not
mowed?(619). Chiswick makes an interesting point here, that the work would be done
regardless of immigrants. However, why dont we see most Americans tackling the same work?
Privilege. Whereas, immigrants like Candido have no choice but to accept these lifestyles and
unpleasant working environments, Americans are privileged in their education, money and pride.
Chiswick further argues, if the number of low-skilled foreign workers were to fall, wages would
increase. Low-skilled American workers [] would benefit [] (620). However, this nation
was made great by the hard work of different immigrants. Each and every one of them trifled
with separate issues of racism, low wages and unsatisfactory work conditions. The Chinese were
essentially slaves and the Irish were alike to the untouchables. The Mexicans and other Latin
immigrants endure their price of immigration to a foreign country. However, it is unfair to say
that they are taking away job opportunities from low-skilled Americans. Chiswick argues that
Americans would be provided higher wages for the work immigrants do but, this is essentially
subject to fantasy. The reality is that these jobs are available but only certain immigrants are
willing to take them on because they have nothing else to support them. Hence, it is true that the
work would still have to be done by someone in reality, but it is also true that the presence of
immigrants makes American lives better. Immigration is a key to success for most immigrants
like the Rincons. Candido did not have a satisfactory living arrangement in his country and went
searching for opportunities elsewhere. America was born in the search for new opportunities and
lives. However, the American dream made into reality by some ancestors is not to be seen
anymore. Candido and America soon realize this harsh reality themselves. Like the coyote, they
too barely scrap together a meal here or there or a few dollars here or there. The coyote manages
to feed itself among being called a coward predator but never lives up to the glory of other

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predators. Comparatively, the Rincons never reach their goals and achieve the mystical American
dream, instead they see the true cost of good living in America.
The American dream is the idea that through hard work and determination one can
achieve anything. America Rincon shares into this view but begins to the see past the veil of
deceit and her childish perception. Furthermore, Boyle depicts the death of the American dream
in his symbolism of America Rincon. The American dream lay in the womb of America and died
with Socorros last breath. As long as America had Socorro within her, she had motive to keep
working hard and marching on to the dream. A young teen, America is nave and shy. This
novice attitude allows humiliation and advantageous behavior from others around her. It was
Americas vision of the American Dream that allowed Candidos persuasion to work. Fascinated
by the stereotype of American lifestyle seen in the movies, America eagerly left her home in the
hope of living in a typical American neighborhood with trees, sidewalks, shops and markets.
When Candido is badly hurt in a vehicle accident involving Delaney Mossbacher, America goes
and looks for work. She would use the money to buy small necessities and the rest would go to
buying an apartment. In a month, maybe two, [] there was an apartment waiting for them,
nothing fancy, not for nowa single room with a hot shower and a toilet, some trees on their
street and a market, someplace she could buy a dress, some lipstick, a brush for her hair. (127).
In the beginning, Americas views of the possible American lifestyle is grand and possible. She
even dreams of delicacies like makeup and nice dresses for herself. She imagines the white
picket fence one day with American appliances and a steady family household. She truly believes
that her hard work and her husbands hard work will work to get her a nice American lifestyle.
However, it is America herself who has to lower her expectations of the dream, bit by bit. She
retreats from her nice apartment fantasy to any living accommodation (203). Candidos lies

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catch up to him, when innocent America soon realizes their lifestyle. Boyle goes onto to assert
the death of the dream with Americas rape by Jose Navidad. Americas believe in the goodness
of the nation and the dream begin to die again with her rape, She clenched her eyes shut, gritted
her teeth. His hand went away and she could feel him shift his weight as he balanced himself to
work down his pants. (142). This horrific and traumatic event takes a toll on Americas psyche
as she begins to assess the reality of her life. She left the comfort of her home in Mexico on the
whims and lies of her husband. He had painted a mural of riches and happiness he had not lived
up to. Now, she was wearing away her hands in corrosive chemicals, living like an animal in the
canyon and raped by men intrigued of her beauty. The American dream lived with America
Rincon in the novel and was desecrated with her alike. Boyle represents the death of the dream
with the mistreatment of America. Just as Mrs. Rincon begins to lose bits of her identity and
dreams, the American dream threads apart as well. Following this rape, America is closed off and
lives in the darkness of her mind. She wont speak to her husband, only shooting angry glares to
him once and awhile. He is the one who created the dream and also desecrated it as well by not
providing it. The only hope she has left for a meaningful life remains with her unborn child.
However, tragedy strikes again. Once the baby is born, America realizes it is blind, most likely
due to a venereal disease exchanged by the rape. America names her daughter, Socorro, or help.
This is a cry for help from America to anyone listening. She realizes that making it in this
country is next to impossible and with Boyles constant use of misery towards the Rincons, the
dream of wealth and happiness is no more. Finally, Boyle depicts the death of the dream with the
literal death of Americas last happiness, Socorro. As Socorro drowns in a flood, America is left
to see the emptiness that the nation provides her with. Having been starved, raped, mistreated,
homeless, poor and now motherless, America realizes that the American dream never lived and

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never will be a reality. Boyle utilizes the miserable life of America Rincon to elucidate that hard
work and effort arent enough for this dream because it doesnt exist. It is a fantasy that no one,
not even the seemingly well to do Americans have reached up to. In fact, Boyle touches in the
idea of happiness and the dreams in his novel when concerned with materialistic things. Inner
contentment concerns no one in this society of the novel and is true for this era of ours as well. In
his interview with the Dalai Lama, Howard Cutler writes about what the Buddhist monk has to
say about inner contentment. He states, But at some point, desires can become unreasonable.
That usually leads to trouble. [] The true antidote to greed is inner contentment. If you have a
strong sense of inner contentment, it doesnt matter whether you obtain the object or not; either
way you are still content (Inner Contentment 792-793). Now, the American dream is different
for everyone. For the Rincons, it is simply the basics. For others, it is the latest model of vehicles
and the newest of trends to show to their aristocrat friends. Boyle depicts the idea that the
American dream is unreachable for everyone because it is not real. It is pure Destiney and fate
that some live better than others and some scavenge for basics. Inner contentment is being happy
regardless of the numbers increase in your bank account or decrease. Your happiness is not
dependent on that. Happiness is dependent on the knowledge inf ones inner self and identity. The
issue Americans have is that they lack this inner enlightenment and hence seek refuge in
materialistic things. Boyle attempts to depict this side of the American dream with the
Mossbachers. They seem to be living the life. They have a beautiful house in a beautiful and safe
community. They have enough money to buy a second car when the first gets stolen. They have
all the basics and more and yet no one is happy. They spend so much of their time, thoughts and
efforts into buying happiness with their privilege yet they are left unhappy just as the Rincons
are. So, Boyle suggests that happiness cannot come from this American dream when it is only a

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dream. The reality is that people need to seek happiness within and then can they enjoy
everything life gives them.
Furthermore, Boyle exemplifies the differences in the American dream by depicting the
happiness in the Mossbacher home as they aim to reach their version of the American Dream.
Kyra and Delaney live in one the nicest neighborhoods in LA county and enjoy a really
privileged lifestyle. Boyle depicts a stereotypical American lifestyle with Kyra. She is a busy
realtor, always on the move to sell another home and make more money. This is at the cost of
spending time with her son and her husband. On the surface, it seems they have achieved this
American dream. They have the family, the cars, the house and the money. What else could they
want? Therein lies the issues, as Boyle describes throughout the novel. The American dream is in
fact unreachable. Kyra lays her dreams in the Da Ros Mansion, a mansion she ties to sell off but
secretly wants for herself. It is described as being home to a man who had commit suicide and
whose widow now lives in Italy. Every night, Kyra walks the empty and grand halls of the 20bedroom house and imagines it being hers and hers alone. Boyle also utilizes irony as a man who
had lived in such wealth count be happy and had to commit suicide. This does not shun Kyra
away from the mansion at all. She is not content in her current living arrangement and dreams of
grandiosity. Delaney, on the other hand, is also not happy with is life. He wishes to father a child
with his wife. His stepson is nice and all but he wants the happiness of raising his own biological
child with his wife but knows it wont happen. Kyra does not want to ruin her career and her
body for a child. This dream of his to become a real father is unreachable for him and dooms his
attempts to happiness. Further, the symbol of the mansion that depicted the American dream for
Americans like Kyra is desecrated in a fire. All that beauty, all that perfection, all that exquisite
taste, and what was it worth now? She couldnt bring herself to go any closerwhat was the

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pointand started the long walk down the driveway without looking back. ( 310 311). Seeing
the scorched remains of her dreams, Kyra quickly gathers herself and relies that there is not point
to crying over it. She tells herself it wasnt her home and not her loss either, but Boyles
symbolism of the house and its loss is to showcase the end of the American dream and that its is
false in the they favor of everyone. It is not real for the Rincons and it is not real for the
Mossbachers. This idea of aiming for happiness and wealth by hard work and effort, this
American dream, is matched with the inner contentment of the Americans involved. As the Dalai
Lama states in his interview with Cutler, The demarcation between a positive and a negative
desire or action is not whether it gives you an immediate feeling of satisfaction but whether it
ultimately results in positive or negative consequences. (792). Kyras dreams were not to just
obtain this grand mansion but to showcase her wealth to others, however, there would always be
someone wealthier and grander than herself. She would be left empty and unhappy again, just the
man who killed himself within the mansion of her dreams. The issue with the idea of the
American dream is that promises a type of life and a grand one at that. People need to see the
reality between behind the veil of illusion. This American dream is an illusion for dreamers, they
see what they want and disregard reality. As the Dalai lama says, one must assess their actions
and the actions led to by them. Happiness is achieved when one is happy with their inner self and
Boyle attempts to disclose this in his symbolism of the mansion. Hence, with the symbolism of
the Da Ros mansion, Doyle depicts the false reality of the dream behind the wall.
All in all, T.C. attempts to depict the differing views of the American dream and their
misery as well. As the dream is unreachable and all efforts towards that are to no avail, Boyle
employs exaggerated events and misery to depict the death of the American dream. The tragedy
that is the Rincons lives and the grandeur dreams of the Mossbachers reveal the unreachability

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of the American dream. The symbolism of the coyote and America Rincon to depict the true
lifestyle of immigrants in America and the death of their dreams. Boyle compares the dreams of
the Rincons with that of the Mossbachers as they are both unattainable. Ergo, the dream that
everyone had had died and what is left is pain and suffering. Boyle suggest people look within
themselves and define their lives with their souls. Instead of hating immigrants for trying to
make a better life for themselves, Americans should look within themselves and seek their true
identity. Instead of seeking a stereotypical lifestyle, immigrants should take a good luck at their
situation and realize what is truly needed. The American dream is dead true, but the hard work
and live is still there and can lead to inner prosperity with effort and truth.

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Works Cited
Boyle, T. Coraghessan. The Tortilla Curtain. New York: Viking, 1995. Print.
Chiswick, Barry R. "The Worker Next Door." The New York Times. The New York Times, 02
June 2006. Web. 26 July 2016.
Cutler, C. Howard, Dalai Lama. Inner Contentment. Current Issues and Enduring Questions:
A Guide to Critical Thinking and Argument, with Readings. Bedford/St. Martin's, 2002.
Print. 291-293.

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