Into the Beautiful North

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2009

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Symbols & Motifs

Movies

Not only is the plot of the novel inspired by a film (The Magnificent Seven) the book reads like a movie itself, complete with caricatures, and the employment of almost every film genre possible: action-adventure, documentary, drama, romance, and political intrigue.

More importantly, the peoples’ illusions of the United States, the people around them, and their quest, are formed by what they see in movies. This develops the reality and illusion theme that Urrea examines with this story. The author may be arguing that the generalized ideas that we form about people and places may infiltrate our thinking and may solidify into beliefs. It is only through real-time experience that these illusions are shattered and we learn the truth.

The Border/Fence

The very literal and physical separation that is present in this story with the fence also serves as the biggest reminder to the Tres Camaronians of their sense of place, and with that, their sense of belonging. Even though they can see into the United States by the imaginary line that has been made into reality with a fence, Tacho recognizes that beyond the fence, it “just looks like more Mexico” (86).