What is the author's tone in the nonfiction book, The Undocumented Americans?

The title of this book, The Undocumented Americans, sets the stage for a serious tone, as if inside the book’s covers will be a sweeping expose of undocumented immigrants throughout history. However, the language inside the book relays people’s lives in a multitude of ways: humorous, dark, witty and exasperated. The title itself is an oxymoron—as many United States citizens would never consider undocumented immigrants to be “Americans.” Because of this portal into the psyche of Americans, it is work punctuated by a sad awareness and reflection. The American ideal striped before the first chapter begins, Villavicencio’s tone matches the importance in subject matter—much is at stake. Much suffering is caused by discriminatory behaviors and words, and the critical tone increases a reader’s focus because these concepts are imperative and directly affect people’s individual lives.

As a reflection of Villavicencio’s personal journey, the tone is informal. Villavicencio’s personal journey is reflective in all the people she interviews. So much so that emotionally, Villavicencio becomes connected to the immigrants she writes about. She keeps this informal tone through the use of their first names throughout the book--the immigrants are people, not laborers--and her razor-sharp wit.

Villavicencio ends her book on a confident tone. This is fitting for two reasons. First, Villavicencio is committed to relaying the life stories of immigrants in a manner that befits the strength necessary to survive their challenges. Although some people listed their regrets, Villavicencio notes that people did not tell her too many, and she comments, “that’s not what they’ll remember when we have to leave, by force, choice or casket” (172). Second, despite being hypercritical of religious ceremonies such as cleansings or prayer circles, Villavicencio ends her book with words from Jesus Christ, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (172), a spiritual confidence that understands a greater moral law.