... itself. In each of these cases, we see how the coyote plays an important role in The Tortilla Curtain. T.C. Boyle's message lies within the symbol of the coyote. It serves as an awakening to a serious problem that surrounds us. The coyote in this novel is symbolic towards the characters" actions and their way of life. In the first part of the novel, entitled "Arroyo Blanco" we see how Boyle uses ... that is about nature. In one of his columns he talks about how the coyotes life compared with the illegal Mexicans. "One coyote, who makes his living on the fringes of my community has learn...

• Word Count: 1244
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... all men," he himself quotes. He has the power to curse the unknown criminal and therefore he is nearly divine. He is sure of his strength and foresight, seen through oracles. He is the self-assured king in search of the murderer of Laius, and after that in a quest of his own identity. His physical blinding goes along with the awakening of his spiritual vision into ... man at a crossroads in anger. He has angry clashes with Teiresias, a blind seer and Creon, his brother-in-law. Teiresias speaks the truth which emphasizes the irony of Oedipus' skepticism and suspicions of treachery. The b...

• Word Count: 734
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School