Lydia Eidson’s Reviews > The Tortilla Curtain > Status Update

The fire serves as a illumintor of the characterization of the Rincons and Mossbachers. The Rincons begin to lose away all they have and stripe them of they're small hope. For the Mossbachers it's shines a light on their material-minded nature, worrying about their possessions and not for their own life.

The figure of the coyote makes 2 more appearances in different forms. She locks eyes with the animal finding herself literally part of the coyote. The 2 have a common enemy of the white population and connect on a different level. Also the Mossbachers have another loss of osbert because the coyote jumps the 8 foot fence and snatches him. Symbolizes Mexican immigrants overcome obstacles to fight for what the want.

Kyra says she treats everyone with the same respect but, that's not the case. She fought hard for the dog, while when she saw Mexicans on the corner of shoup she made it her main priority to get them exterminated. Navidad invades on the Da Ros property ruining it's American Dream effect on Kyra. provides that this property doesn't truly have a sense of sanctuary because of the intruders.

We begin to see a development of kyras character. She frequently judges and bases personality off physical attributes. To her appearance means success and wealth. She also has an interesting parallel with the more she is hurt the more she is turned on.

Boyle switches back between the Mossbachers and Rincons in attempt to display they're very different lifestyles. Comparing a middle class family with a Mexican family that lives like dogs. The Mexicans hopping the fence symbolize the coyotes, who take the all of the jobs.