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1. How does the book open?

It opens with Ixca Cienfuegos, a citizen of Mexico City, speaking about his country's difficulties.

2. How does Ixca describe Mexico?

A noble land unlike any other, Mexico nonetheless cannot shake off its lethargy, its poverty, and its envy of Europe.

3. What does Ixca urge the city to do?

He urges the city, an "eagle without wings," to join together and raise itself up again, and to find a place where "the air is clear."

4. What does the quick portrait of Gladys Garcia show?

It shows the woman waking up in a wet street after a long night of work. From her eyes the refuse-filled street is described, with its neon ads, dead dogs, sleeping children, bikes, and cabbies. She has been on the streets since age thirteen, and hasn't seen her family since she left home. Passing a glamorous couple taking a car to a party, she thinks they look 'like gods who had risen like statues...amid lesser beings" and she goes to buy a cigarette holder to imitate them.

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