T. Coraghessan Boyle, The Tortilla Curtain

Martin Kich (Wright State University)
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In

The Tortilla Curtain

, T. C. Boyle explores the tension between the conspicuous affluence of American suburban life and the surreptitious, hardscrabble existence of undocumented immigrants who struggle to survive long enough to be able to afford even the cheapest available housing and regular meals. The novel is set in Southern California in and around a suburban community called Arroyo Blanco Estates, which is located purposefully at a safe remove from the urban turmoil of Los Angeles. “Arroyo Blanco” literally translates to “white stream” or “white creek” but, of course, expresses affluent “white” exclusivity in a Spanish phrase—one assumes because it sounds more picturesque. Arroyo Blanco Estates is located in what was once a semi-arid wilderness, and what is left…

3028 words

Citation: Kich, Martin. "The Tortilla Curtain". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 13 September 2024 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=41671, accessed 13 December 2024.]

41671 The Tortilla Curtain 3 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

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