Genre
Novel
Setting and Context
The book was set in Mexico and the United States of America.
Narrator and Point of View
Third-person narrative
Tone and Mood
The tone is candid and the mood is whimsical
Protagonist and Antagonist
Nayeli is the protagonist of the story. She is 19 years old.
Major Conflict
The main conflict is when Nayeli and her friends are caught at night sneaking into the United States on the Northern Border. A deportation officer detains Nayeli and her friends.
Climax
The climax is when Cayote helps Nayeli and her friends to sneak to. While in the USA, Nayeli manages to trace her father, which forms the story's climax.
Foreshadowing
Nayeli's escape to the USA as an illegal immigrant was foreshadowed by the arrival of Bandidos, who wanted to take over her village.
Understatement
Immigrant life is understated in the USA. The situation is worse for the illegal immigrant workers who face possible deportation or jail terms.
Allusions
The story alludes to the hard life the illegal immigrants from Mexico face when they arrive in the United States of America.
Imagery
Sight imagery in the text is enhanced by mentioning the proverbial tunnel and the beauty of San Diego. When Nayeli travels through a tunnel from Mexico to the USA, the reader sees how she struggles to locate the soul of her lost father. Similarly, San Diego is depicted as beautiful and vibrant enabling readers to visualize the gorgeousness of the city.
Paradox
Nayeli is a paradoxical character whose mission in America is to recruit Mexicans to go back home. Satirically, she is sabotaged as an illegal immigrant who is in the USA for an evil mission.
Parallelism
N/A
Metonymy and Synecdoche
Al Qaeda is a metonymy for terror and peace destabilization.
Personification
The proverbial tunnel is personified as a human savior.
