Monica A. Campos
English 110 - Fall 2015
Professor Lewinstein
Robin Thicke is
the singer of Blurred lines, the song I chose for my Tortilla Curtain Most
Valuable Moment. In Boyle’s Tortilla’s Curtain novel, the author illustrates
various cultural characteristics that are wide known by those who live at the
border. One of those issues is the fact
that the people living in the shadows, illegal’s farm workers, are abused, not
only of those who wants them back to their countries, but from their own
“paisanos” in the competing for the few available jobs for them. America experienced humiliation and abuse by
her own race. Jose Navidad is the white
Mexican with the sarcastic smile, who is vigilant, hunting for victims. He can smell the fear, the desperation and
target those whose defenses are down due to hunger and weariness. Navidad prayed on America and he used a cup
of steamed hot coffee to lure her. He
marked her to later rape her in the woods.
She was pregnant, and he didn’t care. He stripped off America, not only
from her only good dress, but from her dignity.
Like Jose Navidad,
Robin Thicke portrays himself as a “chulo”, objectifying women and using them
for sexual gratification. In the Blurred
Lines video he appears singing among semi naked women wanting to be used like
plastic. There is a line in the song
that bothers me the most “You are like an animal, let me domesticate you” In
the novel, there is a line that trap me: Jose Navidad’s last words to America during their
first encounter, “….But not for long Pretty, not for long.” referring to
America comment about being married. Both
lines have something in common: Lack of
Respect.
This song is like the blunt topics
that Mr. Boyle approaches in his novels, and Mr. Thicke lyrics hurts just as bad, but
in a rhythmic contagious way. Both
pieces described a painful situation in a marvelous execution that makes one
question their own morals and values.
Blurred Lines Lyrics
|
The Tortilla Curtain by
T.C. Boyle
|
OK, now he was close
Tried to domesticate you
But you're an animal
Baby, it's in your nature
Just let me liberate you
You don't need no papers
That man is not your mate
And that's why I'm gon' take you
I'll give you something big enough to
tear your ass in two
Swag on 'em even when you dress
casual I mean, it's almost unbearable
Honey you not there when I'm
At the bar side let you have me by
Nothin' like your last guy, he too square for you
He don't smack that ass and pull your
hair for you So I'm just watchin' and waitin'
I'm a nice guy, but don't get
confused, you git'n it!
Shake your rump
Get down
Get up Do it like it hurt, like it
hurt
What, you don't like work? Hey!
Baby, can you breathe?
|
“He was sitting there on the ground, the knots of his fits
trust over his knees. The long blue-jean-clad shanks of his leg and he just
laughed, laughed till his eyes filled and she knew he was crazy, loco,
demented, and she was already turning away to appeal Candido Perez for
protection when he grabbed her ankle – just grabbed it, and held on. Married woman, he mocked, his voice gone
high and ragged again, Maybe so. He
let go of her ankle, But not for long Pretty, not for long.” (Boyle) p.83
“It was as if a tree had fallen on her, as if she were the
victim of some random accident, powerless, unable to move.” P 141 “..he stopped to put a stick of gum in his
mouth an casually drop the wrapper on the exposed skin of her back, no more
concerned that if he were sitting on a stool in a bar.” (Boyle) P.142
“He looked up at her, sought out her eyes and smiled. He
couldn’t have been more than eighteen, his hair long and frozen to his scalp
with oil, pants neatly pressed, shirt buttoned up to the collar though it
must have been ninety-five degrees or more. “You want work, Miss.?” (Boyle) p.159
|
No comments:
Post a Comment