Fresh Fruit (Symbol)
The symbol of fresh fruit in the book represents the juxtaposition of the vitality associated with fruit and the realities faced by the farm workers who harvest it. In that, fresh fruit contrasts with the broken bodies of the laborers who suffer health issues due to their strenuous working conditions. Holmes describes long hours, exposure to harmful pesticides, and the physical strain of picking fruit. This symbol emphasizes the hidden human cost behind the production of healthy food, highlighting the irony and injustice in the agricultural system. Holmes uses this symbol to criticize the agricultural industry's disregard for the well-being of its workers and to call attention to the need for more humane labor practices.
Broken Bodies (Symbol)
The broken bodies of the migrant workers serve as a symbol of the toll that the labor and living conditions take on them. This symbol encapsulates the injuries, chronic pain, and illnesses that many workers endure without adequate medical care. The imagery of broken bodies also reflects the broader systemic violence and exploitation that these workers face, which emphasizes the dehumanizing aspects of their labor. Holmes immerses himself in the lives of migrant workers, detailing the daily struggles that their work takes on their bodies. It also extends to the mental health challenges faced by these workers, including stress, anxiety, and depression caused by economic uncertainty and fear of deportation. Holmes' vivid descriptions of these experiences highlight the human cost of cheap agricultural labor and the systemic neglect of workers' health and safety.
Gray Zone (Symbol)
The concept of the "gray zone" in the book symbolizes the complex and morally ambiguous environment in which both workers and employers operate. This symbol is borrowed from Primo Levi's description of concentration camps where survival required complicity with oppressive systems. In the context of U.S. agriculture, the gray zone represents the ethical dilemmas faced by farm owners who perpetuate exploitation due to economic pressures and systemic constraints. This symbol highlights the difficulty of achieving ethical labor practices within a deeply flawed system. On the other hand, migrant workers may find themselves complicit in these practices. Sometimes they have to accept dangerous working conditions and low wages to support their families.
Statue of Jesus (Allegory)
The story tells of a young Triqui man named Pedro who is repeatedly expelled from their land along with his family. Each time they are forced to move Pedro carries a statue of Jesus on the cross, which becomes progressively heavier. Eventually, they reach mountainous regions where it is difficult to grow crops and the statue becomes impossibly heavy. The statue of Jesus on the cross symbolizes the burdens and suffering carried by the Triqui people. Jesus is a Christian symbol of ultimate sacrifice and suffering. The statue highlights the continuous hardships and sacrifices made by the Triqui people as they were uprooted and forced to find new homes. The increasing weight of the statue represents the accumulating difficulties and despair with each displacement.
Social and Economic Hierarchies (Motif)
The book explores the social and economic hierarchies that perpetuate inequality and exploitation. Holmes examines how farmworkers are situated at the bottom of the socioeconomic ladder. They are marginalized by both the agricultural industry and societal structures. This hierarchy is maintained through various means, including low wages, poor working conditions, and limited access to resources and rights. The book highlights how these hierarchies are both economic and social, affecting the workers' interactions with others and their sense of identity and worth. Holmes delves into how these hierarchical structures reinforce the workers' marginalization and how they contribute to the persistence of exploitation within the agricultural sector.