In his novel, Tortilla Curtain, Boyle has employed the use of symbolism in different forms. The coyote is the predominant symbol that the author has used to represent immigrants and also bring across his main theme of racism and the immigrants relation with the white Americans (Becker 1). The two groups differ in their ways of life, character and even in their perceptions regarding one another (Roden 2). The coyote appears in different scenes of the book and evokes a reaction that portrays animosity between the two communities. The term coyote has always been used to refer to immigrants. The coyote is a very predatory and versatile species. Despite the modifications of the environment by humans, the species range has expanded. The expansion of the spread of these animals can be compared to the current uncontainable numbers of immigrants all over the globe (Becker 1). The title of the book consists of a barrier that depicts the barriers and opposition that faces most of the immigrants pursuit to enter foreign countries for greener pastures. This view is evident in Delaney’s conversation with his friend Jack, “The ones coming in through the Tortilla Curtain down there, those are the ones that are killing us. They're peasants, my friend” (Boyle 101). The book, Tortilla Curtain, has also depicted the racism a problem in today’s world. Delaney hits a man, and the compensation he offers is too little for the damage he caused. Although Delaney portrays himself as a democratic citizen who believes in equality, his statements betray him. He insists on referring to the man with his country of origin "I told you - he was Mexican." (Boyle 15) This statement shows prejudice among the white American community towards immigrants. This paper explores the author’s portrayal of the coyote as a shrewd survivor in the novel, Tortilla Curtain.
The coyote appears for the first time in the book when it kills the Mossbachers’ dog, Sacheverell. The Mossbacher’s are infuriated by the loss of their dog and take action by putting up a higher fence, to prevent any further loss of their property to wild animals (Roden 1). Unfortunately, the coyotes manage to jump over the fence for a second attack, killing Osbert (Roden 1). The second attack serves as a wake-up call to the Mossbachers that a mare fence cannot keep away the coyotes from attacking their dogs. Coyotes have natural survival instincts, they explore new territories without fear, as seen "a coyote had somehow managed to get into the enclosure and seize one of the dogs, and there it was wild nature, up and over the fence as if this were some circus act." (Boyle 37)
The white American community also plans to put up a gate to prevent the Mexicans, Salvadorians, blacks, carjackers, and the gangbangers (Boyle 39). In this instance, the coyote is symbolic of the immigrants that the white Americans are trying to prevent from creeping into their territory (Becker 1). The white Americans view the immigrants as invaders who have come to take their privileges. Just like the coyotes, immigrants crawl under and jump over fences and Mexico-US border to get to the US for better opportunities, "The ones coming in through the Tortilla Curtain down there, those are the ones that are killing us. They're peasants, my friend.” (Boyle 101).
The coyote also appears in Delaney’s nature writings. He compares Candido’s manner of getting water from the white Americans to the coyote’s way of survival. Delaney writes, “One coyote, who makes his living on the fringes of my community has learned to chew his way simply through the plastic irrigation pipes whenever he wants to drink.” (Boyle 212). Candido steals water to provide basic amenities for his family, and Delaney is aware of this fact when he writes, “The coyote is not to blame—he is only trying to survive, to make a living, to take advantage of the opportunities available to him." (Boyle 215). Although Delaney is making references to the coyote, his statements fit Cándido’s way of life. In the novel, Cándido is an opportunist who accepts anything that is given to him; he steals for the family. He also lives in deplorable conditions, a canyon, a self-made shack, and digging through garbage for food (Becker 1). The Coyote activities also compare to characters like José Navidad, the “bad guy” in the novel. He is seen raping women and intruding on other people’s property such as Kyla Da Ros real estate. Cándido also feels that José intrudes on his space, “Now he had to worry about this stinking crack-toothed pendejo nosing around down in the canyon as if he did not have enough problems already” (Boyle 90). That is why the coyote can also compare to the “bad character” José in the novel (Becker 1).
With the realization that putting up barriers would not stop immigrants from sneaking in into their territory, Delaney also supports the immigrants’ contribution. Delaney has two contradicting views of the coyotes, at one point he exhibits fear and at another point, he likes the coyotes. During the nights, the coyote’s song makes him relax “And then I hear it, a high tenuous glissade of sound that I might almost have mistaken for a siren if I didn't know better, and I realize that this is what I've been waiting for all along: the coyote chorus."(Boyles 78-9). His attitudes portray the conflicting fascination and fear that uncontrollable forces like the immigrants pose to white Americans. Also, in his conversation with Jack, he directly acknowledges the importance of immigrants, "Did you know that the U.S. accepted more immigrants last year than all the other countries of the world combined and that half of them settled in California? And that's legal immigrants, people with skills, money, and education.” (Boyles 5)
The characteristics of the coyote and wild actions portrayed in the novel are survival tactics that the immigrants have also developed. Both the coyote and the immigrant are not welcome in the city. They are seen as a burden as shown in Jack’s sentiments "Look, Delaney, the illegals in San Diego County, contributed seventy million in tax revenues and at the same time, they used up two hundred and forty million in services - welfare, emergency care, schooling and the like. Do You want to pay for that? Or worse, you want one of them behind the wheel bearing down on you, no insurance, no brakes, and no nothing?" (Boyles 35).In general, the novel has brought out the fact that real perpetrators in a community are within as opposed to foreigners. The perception that immigrants take away the natives’ opportunities is wrong as it is the rich in society who are insensitive to the needs of the poor.
Works Cited
Becker, Arne. "Symbolisms, Themes, and Motifs - The Tortilla Curtain Project - The Advanced English Course 04/06 - Gymnasium Langenhagen." Home.arcor.de. N.p., 2005. Web. 10 May 2016.
Boyle, T. Coraghessan. The Tortilla Curtain. New York: Viking, 1995. Print.
Roden, Daniel. The Tortilla Curtain By Thomas Coraghessan Boyle. 1st ed. Matura, 2012. Web. 10 May 2016.
