Candido had usually brought stuff back everyday after trying to find work, but the last chapter was different, he didn't. He was distraught by the fact that he stumbled upon the red head, Delaney, again. Although, this time it was to try and get him put in jail and deported. I think they have hit rock bottom. Throughout Delaney's manhunt, Candido's man-made shelter was coming apart and it was them against the falling mountain. After almost dying, Candido regrouped with his wife by the United States Postal Office, which saved them, just to realize that they have lost their daughter, Socorro. Candido's last act after that was to reach out for Delaney's hand which was caught in the current. What this may say about him is that although he has that bad luck, he still is a good person deep down. Throughout this whole book, Candido went through hell and back with constant setbacks and he is still that same hardworking man. There had been many times he wanted to quit, but he stayed up and was the bigger person even after he lost his daughter. I think the big idea of all this is that even though people may be bad to us, we don't have to reflect that same negative energy back. Instead, be the better person.
There had been this tension between Candido and Delaney that was felt more by Delaney in a raging way. He couldn’t stand the guilt he felt every time he saw Candido out on the street and it just reminded him of the whole car accident. Delaney began to change that guilt into anger just to start feeling better on himself. That started to then bring out the racism in him and his real self came out of the closet. Candido was just a man trying to provide for his family through all the obstacles thrown at him. Yes, he might’ve taken some stuff, but it was for him and his family’s own survival. I think Delaney is just so fed up with having to deal with guilt and anger upon seeing Candido, he wants to deal with him in a way where he won’t have to see him anymore. Towards the end of the chapter, Delaney is out trying to find Candido to kill him with the gun he thought he’d never use. All Delaney had in mind was to have him done once and for all, but it almost ended in his own death as well. In the midst of the whole manhunt, Candido’s reminiscence portrays his bad luck in his life at the moment and it’s pretty sad that he’s having to deal with all of that. Now the death of his only daughter has added on to that. “But when he saw the white face surge up out of the black swirl of the current and the white hand grasping at the tiles, he reached down and took hold of it.” This shows Candido’s last act in the book even after being broken inside due to the news of his daughter’s death. In the end of it all, he has really accepted the fact that he will always have bad luck in his life. His ability to withstand it has shown how much of a man he really is and hopefully he is able to utilize his hard working mindset to have success later in his life.
Candido is now left with his wife and Delaney since he saved him from drowning under the current. I think the best option for Candido and America at this point is just to head back to Tepoztlan to just resettle themselves in a way and maybe try again in the future. Although, I’m not sure if that would happen, because it could’ve just been the baby that was holding Candido and America together towards the end of the book. This book has taught me to not take anything for granted, because things could go wrong any second. It has also taught me to also push through the many difficulties in life no matter what. Candido by far has had way more struggles in his life than I have, and I can’t imagine going through half of what he has gone through. He is a man of many scars, but his ability to keep pushing has shown me that even with a lot of losses, a man can continue.
I think what readers of the Tortilla Curtain will learn is that a person can go through a lot and still be fine. It may also show readers the difficulty that immigrants have when they come to the U.S. to try and live a better life. Many don’t know the things these people have to go through due to no citizenship. Obstacles thrown at you are the tests of life. It is up to you whether you’re going to get up and get through them even at your lowest times.
Song Lyrics/ Tortilla Text Comparison Chart
I have been a fan of The Beatles most of my life since my grandfather sang their music to my brothers and I when we were younger. I’ve grown to love and learn lots of their music and even saw the movie based on them called “Yesterday.” I think their song titled “In My Life” relates to Candido and parts of his life that he shares with his wife. This song attracted me, because it gives a sad mood, but with love still being a big part of the whole big picture. Love is what kept Candido going. He had to provide for his wife and child while trying to find a job. This story has taught me that you can still continue on in life even with great unfortunate circumstances. It honestly saddens me how the story ended, but it amazes me how Candido has been able to withstand every obstacle.
The Beatles have been a big influence in the musical part of my life. I remember there being days where I’d be watching many old videos of theirs and even the new ones coming out. Paul McCartney, the lead singer, has come out on the James Corden carpool karaoke show in which he performed many of his band’s popular songs. It is crazy to think that the members of this band began their fame at such a young age and have been living the dream ever since. In each of their 17 albums, they’ve created some really great music that will live on forever.
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The Beatles: “In My Life” |
T.C. Boyle: The Tortilla Curtain |
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There are places I'll remember All my life, though some have changed Some forever, not for better |
He was broke, and he danced for people on the streets there, begged change from turistas, got himself a can of kerosene and became a tragafuegos, a street corner firebreather who sacrificed all sensation in his lips, tongue and palate for a few centavos and a few centavos more (54). |
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With lovers and friends, I still can recall Some are dead, and some are living In my life, I've loved them all |
“The baby,” he gasped, and he wasn’t sobbing, he wasn’t. “Where’s the baby?” She didn’t answer, and he felt the cold seep into his veins, a coldness and a weariness like nothing he’d ever known (365). |
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Though I know I'll never lose affection For people and things that went before I know I'll often stop and think about them In my life, I love you more |
He went to her, crouched beside her and put an arm around her shoulder. His heart was breaking. He couldn’t stand to see her like this, to see his daughter deprived and his wife denied (312). |