You are expected to complete the reading for The Tortilla Curtain by April 21 or 23 class date, or at least the first 280 pages.
There will be a 20-minute in-class writing at the beginning of class. Please appear on time to avoid being locked out. Less than half of our class was on time last week.
Answers will not receive credit unless they make numerous and sensible references to specific details from the text. Generalized answers or those supported by a reading of the back cover only will receive no credit.
Possible Topics for In-Class Writing and Discussion
Between Delaney and Candido, who is more close-minded regarding the community outside his own, and who is better at dealing with that close-mindedness?
Which stereotypes against Mexican immigrants do Candido and America confirm and which do they dispel?
What anti-immigration arguments are given by Jack Jardine or others, and how logical are they shown to be by events in the novel?
What are the politics of the Arroyo Blanco community? Is it fair to make an equation between those politics and U.S. politics? How do events in the novel show that it is a fair or unfair comparison?
Does the author seem to like or dislike Kyra? What scenes support your answer?
Are Delaney and Kyra truly living the American Dream? Why or why not? Is their "Dream" something that Candido and America really want? Why or why not?
Does Delaney transform? If so, in what way?
Candido constantly refers to his bad luck. Is he truly unlucky, or does he create his own bad luck, or is the system simply against him? Support with details from text.
In what sense is the portrayal of Candido and America exaggerated and inaccurate, especially when considering that the setting is Los Angeles?
Is T.C. Boyle depicting racism like a journalist, or is he "committing" racism himself? What scenes support your answer?
