A compelling story about two extremely different couples, The Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle demonstrates the cost that the American Dream has upon society. Boyle presents the lives of these two couples in order to explore the relationship between well off Americans to near impoverished Mexican immigrants in the United States. The American couple consists of Delaney and Kyra Mossbacher: he is a liberalist nature writer, while she is an aggressive realtor. Then we have the illegal Mexican immigrants Candido and America Rincon, who fight off the hardships of poor, immigrant life. Boyle is able to illustrate the impact that these two couples have on each other in the form of a car crash between Delaney and Candido. Both individuals' lives will have change from that point on. Candido facing the challenges of nearly becoming a handicap and Delaney having his entire beliefs and ideals completely distorted and altered. Mainly, it is Delaney's attitudes towards illegal immigrants that have change dramatically from a liberal humanist to an enraged racist.
             First, Delaney's initial attitudes and beliefs over the issue of immigration was one of a moderate and open-minded liberalist. From the very beginning of the novel, Boyle makes it quite clear to the reader what kind of person Delaney is; "a liberal humanist." (Pg. 3) A liberalist is one who is in favor of laissez-faire, the free market, and the gold standard. To favor the individual with civil and political liberties is to practice liberalism and Delaney does this with the issue of immigration. This is evident with the first conversation Delaney has regarding immigration with Jack Jardine, a fellow conservative neighbor of Delaney's. Jack demonstrates his conservative view by stating how "No education, no resources, and no skills" is what consists of immigrants today. (Pg. 101) Also, how they are drain on society in terms of crime and the money need...