Question

Directions: Carefully read each the following excerpts from the novel, The Tortilla Curtain by

T.C. Boyle. Then write a well-organized response for each, in which you analyze the
development of character. In your analysis, you may wish to consider literary elements and
how these elements contribute to the overall meaning as a whole, literary elements to
consider but are not limited to, theme, figurative language, syntax, diction and tone. Please
proofread your answers before submitting as you will be marked down for common errors.
"Well he was one of them now. He was the hater; he was the redneck, the racist, the
abuser. There was no evidence that those men had a thing to do with the fire-they could
have been fleeing on foot, thumbing a ride, walking up the road to take in the sights, hiking"
(Boyle 290).

Answer 1

The excerpt from 'The Tortilla Curtain' illustrates the protagonist's character development through his realization that he embodies the negative traits of a 'hater' and 'racist.' Using figurative language, diction, and tone, the novel delves into themes of prejudice and self-identity.

Step-by-step explanation:

Character Development in 'The Tortilla Curtain'

In analyzing the character development within the selected excerpt from The Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle, it becomes clear that the protagonist is experiencing an internal conflict, leading him to identify with attitudes he previously may have denounced. The passage reflects a turning point, indicating that he now sees himself as 'the hater; he was the redneck, the racist, the abuser.' This transformation is conveyed through figurative language and diction, which serve to illustrate his self-reckoning with negative aspects of character and society.

Despite the lack of evidence against the men referred to, his immediate suspicion and categorization of them based on their apparent race or social standing reveal his prejudices. Boyle's use of tone in this excerpt reflects the protagonist's resignation to a darker view of himself and perhaps humanity overall, contributing significantly to the theme of the novel, which grapples with prejudice, societal division, and self-identity.