Mexican-American Relations and T.C. Boyle’s "Tortilla Curtain"

Examination Thesis , 2015 , 70 Pages , Grade: 1,3

American Studies - Culture and Applied Geography

The main goal of this paper is to address the question if there is any type of socio-historical narrative surrounding the state of Mexicans in the United States that might have developed from the very beginnings of Mexican-American relations up to contemporary US society and, further, might find its expression in contemporary American literature, using the example of “The Tortilla Curtain”. While the main approach of this paper will be of sociological nature, one cannot forgo an examination of the respective political background and events, which mostly go hand in hand and show interdependencies.

Notably, related research on this field is relatively scarce. Most major works dealing with Mexican-American relations and the state of Mexicans within US society focus on specific time periods or address specific contemporary socioeconomic issues of immigration and immigrants, but rather lack a comprehensive view that might combine the different strands and lead to a widely spanning narrative about Mexican immigrants in US society.

In general, I will try to develop a narrative that follows the overall course of events in Mexican-American history, which chapter two will comprise. Here, I will specifically depict the Mexican-American War as an origin of the boundaries we know today and will further provide an in-depth study on the 20th century and its waves of migration. Chapter three will look at the specific history of Mexican immigration to the United States and will then provide an overview of the contemporary situation of immigrants. Subsequently, chapter four aims to merge the findings of chapters two and three and examine contemporary literary expressions in Boyle’s “The Tortilla Curtain”. Out of the many aspects to be found within the novel, I will mainly focus on those relevant in sociological terms. Lastly, I will try to combine the paper’s findings to a potential narrative and discuss the political and sociological future of Mexican-American relations.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Historical Background: Mexican-American Relations
  • The Mexican-American War of 1846-1848
    • Causes of War: Annexation and Revolution
  • The 20th Century: Waves of Migration and Economic Integration
• The Case of Mexican Immigration to the United States: Then and Now
  • Chasing the American Dream: Historical Abstract of Numbers and Policies
    • Poverty and Disparities: The Situation of Mexican Immigrants
    • The Case of Mexican Women
  • The Border: A Place of Transition
• T.C. Boyle's The Tortilla Curtain: Socio-Historical Implications
  • Family: Origin and Class as Determinants for Success
    • Liberal, Upper Middle Class Perspectives: The Mossbachers and Friends
    • At the Bottom of Society: The Rincóns
  • The Mex(American Way of Life
    • Labor: Self-fulfillment and Necessity for Survival
    • Issues of (No) Food Choices and Consumption
    • Housing
    • The Rincóns and the American Dream
  • Encounters

Objectives and Key Themes

This paper aims to investigate whether there is a socio-historical narrative surrounding the state of Mexicans in the United States, developing from the beginnings of Mexican-American relations to contemporary US society. The paper further explores how this narrative might find its expression in contemporary American literature, using the example of T.C. Boyle's novel *The Tortilla Curtain*. While the main approach is sociological, an examination of the respective political background and events is necessary, as they often intertwine and demonstrate interdependencies.

• Historical development of Mexican-American relations
• The socioeconomic situation of Mexican immigrants in the US
• The role of political discourse and policy in shaping the narrative of Mexican immigration
• The portrayal of Mexican-American relations in contemporary literature
• The impact of Mexican immigration on US society and politics

Chapter Summaries

• The introductory chapter outlines the significance of Mexican-American relations in both domestic and foreign policy for the United States. It highlights the historical and contemporary impact of Mexican migration on American society and politics, with particular focus on the role of Latino voters in shaping future political landscapes.
• The second chapter delves into the historical background of Mexican-American relations, examining the Mexican-American War of 1846-1848 and its lasting impact on the relationship between the two nations. It then discusses the 20th-century waves of Mexican migration and the growing economic integration between the United States and Mexico.
• Chapter three focuses on the case of Mexican immigration to the United States, analyzing historical trends in migration numbers and policies. It examines the socioeconomic situation of Mexican immigrants, including poverty, disparities, and the specific challenges faced by Mexican women. The chapter also explores the complex realities of the US-Mexico border as a space of transition and conflict.
• Chapter four explores T.C. Boyle's novel *The Tortilla Curtain*, analyzing its socio-historical implications. The chapter examines how Boyle portrays the experiences of both American and Mexican characters, focusing on themes of family, class, labor, and the American Dream. It further explores the novel's depiction of encounters and conflicts between different social groups, offering insights into the complex realities of life along the US-Mexico border.

Keywords

This paper explores the complex relationship between Mexico and the United States, focusing on Mexican immigration, socio-economic conditions, and political discourse. It examines the historical development of Mexican-American relations, including the Mexican-American War of 1846-1848 and the subsequent waves of migration. The paper also analyzes the portrayal of Mexican-American relations in contemporary American literature, specifically T.C. Boyle's novel *The Tortilla Curtain*, which sheds light on the multifaceted experiences of Mexican immigrants in the US.

• College: University of Marburg
• Grade: 1,3
• Author: Simon Brandl (Author)
• Publication Year: 2015
• Pages: 70
• Catalog Number: V337195
• ISBN (eBook): 9783656986911
• ISBN (Book): 9783656986928
• Language: English
• Tags: mexican-american, relations, boyle’s, tortilla, curtain