Into the Beautiful North

Luis Alberto UrreaFiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2009

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Summary

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-3

Chapters 4-6

Chapters 7-9

Chapters 10-12

Chapters 13-15

Chapters 16-18

Chapters 19-21

Chapters 22-24

Chapters 25-27

Chapters 28-30

Chapters 31-33

Chapters 34-Epilogue

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

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Discussion Questions

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).