Comments and discussion

In your analysis of “Toil and Temptation” by Michael Kamber, you might find it useful to discuss or comment on those statements that you find particularly interesting or controversial.

Sometimes, the author seems to mock certain actions of Mexicans and Mexican immigrants. This might be interpreted as a condescending, even critical attitude: “He has a gold chain, a .25 automatic, and some bags of coke. Much of the profit goes up his nose…” (ll. 436-437); “the mother of nine—who cannot read or write, but adds complex sums with lightning speed—buys several hundred dollars’ worth of food and soda, and opens a small store…” (ll. 310-313)

Describing illegal immigrants as only interested in money or prone to drug abuse might not be the best way to make people empathize with their situation. However, you should note that the writer also includes other stories – some successful, and some ...