The coyote is a recurring motif, symbol throughout the novel. Who or what does the coyote symbolize?

Nature and the animals that inhabit it are powerful symbols in the novel. The coyote in particular is a very prominent symbol, associated with Mexican immigrants. Delaney draws these parallels very prominently in the second "Pilgrim at Topanga Canyon" column featured in the novel, but they can be seen throughout the entire story, such as in the way that the coyotes scale the Mossbachers' fence to hunt the dogs just as the Mexican immigrants overcome the obstacles at the border to try and make a living in America. Delaney's fascination with coyotes, a fascination that is matched by other people in his community, reflects his fascination with the wild, uninhibited nature of these immigrants. The immigrants are feared, even hated by some, yet at the same time the are intriguing, constantly the talk of the residents and are hired to perform all kinds work. Just as the people of the neighborhood even put out food for the coyotes, they also go to the labor exchange to hire these illegal immigrants that they loathe so much for extremely low wages. This is exactly what Jim Shirley does, hiring América and bringing her into his house, even touching her inappropriately, while on the other hand he is spreading stories of the evil and horrible crimes that happen at the hands of these immigrants.