The Tortula Curtain Analysis

Throughout T.C. Boyle’s novel, the Tortilla Curtain, the issue of immigration comes up frequently and is the root of many conflicts between the characters in the novel. Immigration, especially illegal immigration is also a pressing issue in the United States today, with many Americans conflicted on how to address the issue. The same sentiments that ignite conflict in the novel are applicable to the larger issue of immigration in the real world. Two conflicting sentiments occur in the novel over immigration. In an argument with Jack Jardine, Delaney states that, “Immigrants are the lifeblood of this country - and neither of us would be standing here today if it wasn’t” (Boyle, 150). Delaney is correct in saying that this country is made up

Delaney doesn’t want to lock anyone out, to separate himself from those in need simply because he has been more fortunate. A simple wall around his neighborhood made him feel like “he was being walled in, buried alive” (Boyle, 244). As a “liberal humanist”, naturally, Delaney’s ideas are more similar to Joseph Carens and his case for open doors rather than Hardin’s lifeboat ethics. Caren argues that there is little justification for keeping out those who are poor and seek a better life in western society. He believes that “citizenship in Western liberal democracies is the modern equivalent of feudal privilege – an inherited status that greatly enhances one’s life chances.” (Carens, 252). Regarding immigration, Carens agrees with Robert Nozick, an American philosopher, in that “individuals have the right to enter into voluntary exchanges with other individuals. They possess this right as individuals, not as citizens.” (Carens, 253). This means that under this mindset, if a farmer from America wanted to hire labor from Mexico, the government would have no right to stop him, because “to prevent the Mexicans from coming would violate the rights of both the American farmer and the Mexican workers to engage in voluntary transactions (Carens, 253). In the novel, Delaney keeps this mindset until he is convinced that Candido is a criminal. During a conversation with

In a conversation between Jack and Delaney, Jack says to him, “don’t act surprised, because this is only the beginning. We’re under siege here – and there’s going to be backlash. People are fed up with it. Even you.” (Boyle, 150). Kyra’s sentiment also changes throughout the novel. After the Candido inadvertently started a wildfire that destroyed the De La Rose place, Kyra states: “It was the Mexicans who’d done this. Illegals…Sneaking across the border, ruining the schools, gutting property values and freeloading on welfare” (Boyle, 320). With increasing pressure from his wife, the wild fire, as well as other unfortunate circumstances, Delaney slowly begins to blame Candido for causing all of his problems, and becomes obsessed with him. Towards the end of the novel, when Delaney sees Candido walking on the side of the road, Delaney swerves off to the side of the road to try and stop him. When this happened “Delaney didn’t care. He didn’t care about the hazard, didn’t care about the other drivers or his insurance rates – all he cared about who’d invaded his life like some unshakable parasite, like a disease” (Boyle,