The beautiful imagery of San Diego
San Diego is undeniably beautiful, and although this imagery isn't first in the novel, it is the namesake of the title: Into the Beautiful North is a reference to the true beauty of Southern California. Notice that Nayeli has to go north to the border to help her society, but in order to get peace about her father, she has to travel even further north. This novel is making a statement about self-sacrifice, adventure, and enlightenment, and the "north" simply represents Nayeli's spiritual journey "higher and higher" into her true identity.
The underworld of Tijuana
The imagery of Tijuana is hustlers and underworld street rats. Why? Because the reality of the situation for many Mexicans living there that survival is a top priority. That means people will do what it takes. It also means that desperate Mexicans often cross the border illegally. And that means that there are people who have learned how to cross the border who work as consultants—coyotes. Nayeli learns all this right alongside the reader, moving through the realm that lies on the border.
The proverbial tunnel
The proverbial tunnel is the passage from on reality to another. When Nayeli goes through a literal tunnel, a subterranean passage from Mexico to America, she also enters a new world where she has to "encounter the lost spirit of her father," as a student of Joseph Campbell might notice. In other words, the tunnel represents Nayeli's safe passage into the realm of chaos and uncertainty. Notice that she has to enter twice—the first time she fails. She has to be willing to try again before she can succeed.
The imagery of success
This book has a pretty compelling image of success in it. A young girl and her buddies travel north to America to recruit 7 men who can help dissuade the cartel from taking over their town. They return with 27 men, all establishing homes and work for themselves in Mexico again, rebuilding a community. They will succeed because they will work together, having been rallied by Nayeli's compelling leadership. That is true success, no doubt.
