The Tortilla Curtain | Themes

The Tortilla Curtain Themes

The American Dream

The "American Dream" is the belief that anyone can become prosperous in the United States if they work hard enough and have the determination to succeed. In this novel, Boyle examines that notion. The characters who labor the hardest, Candidó and América, are the poorest people in the novel. Even with an injured arm and a limp, Candidó puts more effort into his building projects than fellow workers do. On the other hand, Delaney works part-time at a job that involves nothing more than reflecting on the wildlife he observes while taking leisurely hikes. Kyra's work as a realtor, as Boyle presents it in the novel, involves chatting with people inside beautiful homes. Delaney and Kyra live a comfortable life that affords them a great deal of free time. Unlike Candidó and América, the Mossbachers have time to do work for the sake of fun. They spend their free time...
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