Examples Of Racism In Tortula Curtain

We can all agree that racism is a huge issue in the United States right now and has been for a while but people just cover it up and bury it down and try to act like it is non existent in today's society. Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle follows two couples who paths cross when Delaney an American citizen hit Candido an illegal mexican immigrant with his car, Boyle really contrasts the two lives of an illegal immigrant vs an American citizen throughout the entire book. Boyle uses conflict and imagery to reveal that racism originates from fear of differences and causes hatred amongst people.
Boyle uses conflict to reveal that racism originates from fear of differences and causes hatred amongst people. Delaney is driving his car on his way to the

Who was he? Where had he gone? Was he all right? Was he hurt? Bleeding? Dying? Delaney's hands trembled on the wheel. He reached mechanically for the key and choked off the radio. It was then, still strapped in and rushing with adrenaline, that the reality of it began to hit him: he'd injured, possibly killed, another human being. It wasn't his fault, god knew--the man was obviously insane, demented, suicidal, no jury would convict him--but there it was, all the same (Boyle

Delaney see’s a lot of mexicans around town and in his neighborhood and feels overwhelmed. Delaney says “They were everywhere these men ubiquitous silently going about their business whether it be mopping up the floors at McDonald's inverting trash cans in the alley outback of emilios Or moving purposely behind the rakes and blowers that Combed the pristine lawns of the arroyo blanco estates twice a week” (Boyle 122) Delaney really shows that they are everywhere by showing the variety of jobs they have around town and how easy it is for them to be here. Delaney goes on a hiking trail to get away from the sense of invasion from the Mexicans and he comes across trash and living supplies sprawled all over the place at the mountain, which he felt was a threat to his “happy place”. He also is prejudice in assuming that the living setup belongs to Mexicans. “All he could think of was the sheriff and getting these people and their garbage heap out of here, of hustling them right back to wherever they did come from, slums, favelas, barrios, whatever they call them. They didn't belong here, that was for sure.” (Boyle 120) Delaney uses stereotypes throughout the whole book just assuming everyone from mexico is from the slums and a hardened criminal and only hear to bum off of