The Tortilla Curtain

In Part II Chapter 8, the writer also includes America and Candido. What does the turkey symbolize for the Rincon’s? What happens at the end of this chapter? Why does the chapter end in this manner?

. It is important that you respond to the questions by providing a textual reference (direct quote). Do not provide a plot summary. Interpretation and analysis is required.

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The offering of the turkey is the culmination of the comparison between the two families' attitudes towards excess. The turkey itself is a symbol of excess, offered to families who have spent a large sum of money on food already, and when it is offered to the Mossbachers, they readily accept it, even though they have no use for it as Delaney points out. Cándido, on the other hand, someone who desperately needs the extra food, is not even offered the turkey. However, thanks to the two young men in front of him, he receives one. On a side note, it is interesting to observe that the two men who offer Cándido the turkey are punk-looking guys, clearly societal rebels, and in offering Cándido the turkey they clearly go against the societal norms that we have seen in the novel so far. Once Cándido receives the turkey, however, it takes him a while to actually realize and comprehend what has happened. Thus, the two families' interactions with the turkeys are very different and accurately reflect their differing attitudes towards excess.

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