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How Does Boyle Use Symbols In The Tortilla Curtain

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Literary devices incorporate a key to a captivating novel. Symbolism shows significance in the way that objects or events in the story have several meanings and also connect the characters to each other. Irony has importance in this novel because it requires the reader to think twice about what the author wants the reader to understand. Since the contents Boyle uses in similes and personifications are well compared, the author achieves a better understanding from the reader. Boyle’s use of literary devices is effective because as a reader one can decipher the points he makes through the story in a more facile way. Objects and events in The Tortilla Curtain do effectively symbolize different objects. Boyle uses a wall as an important symbol for both the Mossbachers and the Rincon's. For the Mossbachers a wall around the Arroyo Blanco Estates symbolizes a barrier that keeps the society protected from what they consider unsafe. “This isn’t about coyotes, don't kid yourself. It’s about Mexicans, it’s about blacks. It’s about exclusion, division, hate” (Boyle 220). For …show more content…

“The wind screamed. It screamed for blood, for sacrifice, for Tenksgeevee, and the flames answered it.” (Boyle 275). Candido and America have been unappreciative ever since they have arrived to the United States. Thanks giving is a day meant for thanks therefore this quote depicts that thanksgiving was demanding the thanks that Candido and America have not given in a long time. Candido, America and the other characters were sacrificed in different ways. With the sacrifices of these characters nature and life obtained the thanks on thanksgiving that was being asked for. Humans scream when anger is felt, so Boyle used personification in the wind screaming as a portrayal of anger for the ungratefulness that the characters in the book have

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