How does Miguel Mendez use imagery in Pilgrims in Aztlan?

The story starts off in Mexico, creating an image of Mexican life. The impoverished make their money washing cars on the street, picking crops in the U.S., or as prostitutes or bartenders, catering to the unhealthy needs of the people. Drugs and sex thrive because the people are miserable. There is no health care for those who are sick and dying. The wealthy are corrupt and vain. An important theme is that the wealthy live on the backs of the poor, as Tony Baby's grandmother built her business on immigrant laborers and as politicians and soldiers achieve power at the expense of the impoverished.