The Tortilla Curtain Essay

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Recommended: Immigration in America in the 20th century

The tortilla curtain is full of characters that really made me enjoy the book a lot more than I thought I would but the one character I wanted to see triumph in this story and reach the “American Dream” is the youngest of the story America. The thing that drew me to this character was her outlook of their situation and her can do attitude it made me want to see more of her and her interaction with other characters. With this character I saw things and got a view on how the immigrant women are treated in this nation. Also how strong one can be when faced with the odds are all stacked against them. I have to admit when I first meet America I thought she would be the first one to get hurt and die or get caught and sent back. She was the youngest …show more content…

Despite how hard the two of them work, the more she grows to hate him. America is the 17 year old, pregnant wife of Candido Rincon. An unfortunate accident causes Candido to be out of work so America insists on going to find work even though she will be the only women there. This upsets Candido and he is constantly worrying about her the whole time she is gone. This is where her can do attitude comes into play she knows her finding and going to work is against her culture gender rolls but does it anyways to help her husband out while she’s pregnant and against his wishes and the role she was taught to respect and follow . Her story takes a turn for the worst when América is attacked and raped by the man in the backwards cap and his poncho-wearing friend. She mourns the loss of her dignity and the loss of her morals as she and her husband resort to stealing and trickery to stay alive She constantly misses her mother and her sisters, and soon she wants nothing more to return

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