Chapter 6 Summary

Arturo reflects on the new Californians, and how so many people have come from other parts of the country to live out their days in the sunshine, only to find out that California already belongs to the Smiths, Parkers and Jones. He notes that those in polo shirts and sunglasses are the ones who belong here. Although the California culture is not available to everyone, one can still pretend to be in paradise—at least until the relatives come out from back home. People back home think California is about movie stars and prosperity.

Americans with names like Smith, Parker and Jones are the kind who hurt Arturo with prejudice in Colorado, calling him Wop, Dago and Greaser. Their children hurt him, just like he hurt Camilla. Unable to be one of them, he withdrew into books.

Arturo observes people whose faces...