Genre
Historical nonfiction, retelling
Setting and Context
Mexico and the United States, 2001
Narrator and Point of View
Omniscient narrator, following the Mexican immigrants
Tone and Mood
Dignified, Critical
Protagonist and Antagonist
Protagonist: The Mexican immigrants, Antagonist: American border policies
Major Conflict
Twenty six men from Mexico want to cross the American border because of each their personal reasons.
Climax
Only twelve out of the twenty six men survive the crossing over the Arizonia desert.
Foreshadowing
When the reader gets to know the facts about the Arizona desert at the beginning of the book, the author is foreshadowing that a deadly event will occur there.
Understatement
The danger of crossing the Arizona desert is understated, as the positive sides (such as the fact that the Border Patrol doesn't pass in that area) are focused on more than the risk of death.
Allusions
The reader might have allusions to other border-events that have and are currently happening in the United States.
Imagery
The image of the men all dying, one after another whist trying to run away from the corruption of their country is a significant image, as it makes the reader sympathize and re-evaluate views.
Paradox
"The immigrants that chose to cross the borders are all criminal" is a paradox discussed throughout the book, since that is what usually gets portrayed by mainstream social media. Urrea lets the reader see another angle of the situation.
Parallelism
Parallel lines are drawn between the dangers and risk Mexico has and are compared to the risks with crossing the Arizona desert, as all the men thought the risk was worth it.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
N/A
Personification
N/A
