In TC Boyle's novel The Tortilla Curtain, the author offers a distorted lens to highlight the differences between two couples from separate cultures brought together through a series of unfortunate events. Candido and America Rincon are illegal immigrants from Tepoztlan, Mexico, and come into contact with Delaney and Kyra Mossbacher, an upper-class couple from Southern California. Social and physical boundaries play an important role in this novel as Boyle reveals the clashes between a typical white "American" family and their lower-class Mexican neighbors. Thus, through irony and visible and invisible boundaries, Boyle pokes fun at the American dream and, in doing so, reveals the true identity of these characters. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Boyle creates visible boundaries in the novel by describing Arryoo Blanco, the vibrant community where the Mossbachers live. Although the residents of Arroyo Blanco, which means 'white creek' in Spanish, are mostly non-Hispanic Americans, they appropriate Mexican culture by building homes in the "Spanish Mission style, painted one of three prescribed shades of white, with hints of orange "tiled roofs". On the lower edge of Arroyo Blanco there is low-income housing where many illegal immigrants from Mexico live, including the Rincon. The residents of Arroyo Blanco are at a different level on the social ladder than their Mexican neighbors. However, Kyra, despite being slightly racist, never pays attention to immigrants. However, when a coyote kills Kyra's dog, she now has an excuse to build a giant wall around Arroyo Blanco, which would physically block any communication or contact between Arroyo Blanco residents and people living in low-income housing. Meanwhile, Delaney disagrees with his wife and defends the Mexicans, yelling, “It's not about coyotes, don't kid yourself. It's about Mexicans, it's about blacks. It's about exclusion, division, hatred." Through the conflict beyond the wall, Boyle mocks suburban American culture. The Mossbachers are willing to romanticize Mexican culture with their Spanish mission, but they want a gated community to keep real Mexicans out. Kyra tries to isolate herself from the reality of life outside the wall, but ends up creating the physical embodiment of the conflict between the two cultures. In the irony of this situation, Boyle reveals the inherent racism of upper-middle-class families like the Mossbachers. Boyle creates an additional physical boundary in the title of the novel itself, which shows the contrast between these two social standards. The “tortilla curtain” refers to the border dividing Mexico and Southern California and represents the wealthier upper-middle class. On one side of that border are families like the Mossbachers, and on the other side the Mexicans who crossed illegally, the Rincons. Both couples chase the American dream, but from opposite sides of the curtain. One family lives an easy and comfortable life while the other struggles every day just to survive. However, at the end of the novel, life and death become the great equalizer between humans. Both Delaney and Candido are both in danger. Delaney is about to drown in a flood, "But when [Candido sees] the white face emerging from the black swirl of the current and the white hand grasping the tiles, he reaches down and [grabs]" At this moment, Candido breaks through the curtain of tortilla to save his enemy's life. This gesture ultimately helps the two men discover their humanity. Although they both come from different backgrounds, they realize that they are both human beings and should deal..