“Tortilla Curtain”: Use of the Coyote

When one thinks about these characteristics: Cunning, unpredictable, hungry, and unstoppable, the first thing that comes to mind is the Coyote. In Tortilla Curtain by T.C Boyle, one of the main characters encounters a coyote and he seems to deeply connect with it. The coyote is like his parallel on the other side. T.C Boyle is trying to connect how the Mexican immigrants and coyote relate in terms of their experiences. Both the coyote and the immigrant show that they will do everything within their power to survive. The fact that the coyotes trespass private property, illuminates the way Mexican immigrants take extreme steps in order to survive and have a better life. Take, for example, when Delaney and Kyra were woken up by noises one morning, they realize that the coyote had finally managed to get into the compound and attack one of their dogs (Boyle 36). The bravery of the coyote to come into someone’s home shows that it an animal full of determination. Coyotes have strong survival instincts and this makes them intelligent so that they are able to survive any hurdles that they encounter.

The author explores the characteristics of the coyote throughout the book. However, it is not until chapter 3 that one is able to spot how they are metaphorical. When the coyote climbs over the fence to steal Terries, it encounters Delany, a person living in the property. In that dramatic event, the coyote was very fearful, clenching its fists for dear life (Boyle 40). Metaphorically, this is how the Mexicans that try to come into America behave- they live in fear of deportation and other uncertainties but are also willing to survive. However, because Delany a lover of animals, he believes that the coyote belongs there. His idealists’ beliefs about the freedom of the coyote and people treat them matches with the way Mexicans live in the US.

As the story proceeds, there are more parallels between the coyote and Candido who is the face of illegal immigrants. When Delany’s dog dies, he blames the people who feed the coyotes. When he finds a box of Kentucky fried chicken box behind one of the houses in the neighborhood, suggests that someone is encouraging the coyotes (Boyle 111). This reflects later in the story when Candido decides to look for food in one of the dumpsters. The identification of the people in the coyote adds to the author’s symbolism. Another way that the coyote represents Candido is how they chew irrigation pipes. By the end of the story, Candido was behaving like a coyote in all sense- he was stealing water from people’s yards, stealing and eating Delany’s pets. As such, the description of the coyote fit the life of Candido.

By the second column of his writing, Delany had lost every dog and he had come to accept that even high fences are not a solution to the problem. This sheds lights on the wall put around the US to keep away the Mexican immigrants. Although he is not for the idea of trapping animals, he believes that there should be some form of control to avoid incidences like the ones mentioned above. While he shows some empathy towards the coyote, he still feels some sense of loss for his pets (Boyle 120). His situation is the same as that of immigrants who have the sympathy of the people but at the same time, putting the locals in a dilemma because of fighting for resources. Initially, he was sympathetic of the coyotes but when the situation directly affects him, he is not sure if he wants to go on supporting his campaign for them.

  Delany’s neighbors suggest that they should put up a wall and abolish labor exchange. However, he urges that it is not possible to eradicate the coyote or control them as well (Boyle 214) but he slowly caves in and agrees to both the wall and controlling of the immigrants. Eventually, his stand completely changes and he ends up hating all Mexicans, particularly, Candido. The exploration of the coyote represents the stained relationship of the locals and the Mexican immigrants. Despite how much the people admire their sense of survival, they must admit that it is costing them of their property.

In conclusion, Boyle’s parallels between the coyote and the Mexican, shows how Americans link the Mexicans with trespass, theft, law breaking, and such. To most citizens, the coyotes are not welcome and are willing to do anything to keep them out and on the other side of the wall. On the other hand, Mexicans like Candido will do anything and everything for survival. The use of coyotes in the novel reflects the life of Mexicans as immigrants (Boyle 214). It is as if Boyle’s wants the people to view the Mexicans in a different light- as people who trying to make ends meet. However, this is a big sacrifice for the citizens who are feeling that they have more to lose than gain.

Works Cited

Boyle, Tom Coraghessan. The tortilla curtain. Ernst Klett Sprachen GmbH, 2015.

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