40 pages • 1 hour read
Into the Beautiful North
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BetaChapters 22-24Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Chapter 22 Summary
This chapter begins with Matt and Atomiko, both very drunk and laughing over just about everything. Matt admits that he feels "lost" and Atomiko connects with his feeling, describing his part in the Mexican army to living in the dump, all because he was caught stealing a chicken.
The next morning the crew heads to the American Eagle diner for pancakes. Vampi meets El Brujo at the restaurant, a man after her own heart wearing a 69 Eyes t-shirt, the heavy metal band she loves. They go out on a date that night.
It is love at first sight for the both of them. Vampi thinks to herself, "Sometimes you just know" and they already begin making dreams and plans of being together (215). He tells Vampi of his dreams of being a heavy metal rocker, expecting that he would become famous in the USA. He realized that it would never be possible, especially as an illegal, and has worked at the pancake house for six years. She asks him to come home with her.
Back at Matt's place, Yolo calls Chavarin. He tells them he works at the bowling alley (and seems embarrassed about it) and that he did not want them meeting him there. Yolo says he sounded sad. They have plans to call him the next day.
Chapter 23 Summary
The author begins this chapter providing historical context of the romantic relationship between Irma and Chava. He was mesmerizing to her and he dated many different "tramps" from around town. Irma thought herself to be too overweight for him to be interested in her. He was also a bowling champion, but had lost out. One evening, he was watching Irma as she dominated her championship game. When she won, he swept her off her feet and their relationship began.
He was an angler in the season, and sometimes a truck driver. He broke Irma's heart on an excursion to Tijuana. It was 1963 and he headed to el Norte. He was fairly successful working in a tuna cannery and had even bought himself a little house. He smuggled Irma in for a bowling appearance but he was distant to her. It turns out he had impregnated an American girl and they were getting married. This is when Irma became her alter ego, La Osa.
The narration shifts back to the present where Nayeli and Yolo cannot wait until tomorrow to meet Chava and so they have Matt drive them to Hiillcrest Bowl. They bring donuts for Don Chavarin and chat with him about Tres Camarones and Irma. His boss repeatedly interrupts him and he cannot finish his story about the girl he got pregnant. As it turns out, she left him. He never saw the baby, and he could not go home to Tres Camarones because he was so ashamed. Nayeli then tells him their story. He agrees to be part of their journey after Nayeli assures him that everyone in Tres Camarones will be happy to see him. When they return to Matt's place Vampi is there with El Brujo. Nayeli tells her they had collected one man to take back. Vampi says they have two - El Brujo agreed as well.
Chapter 24 Summary
The narration returns to Rigoberto's place where Tacho has been pampered - bathed, clothed, and hair re-dyed. He is dressed in Rigo's lover's clothes and with sunglasses on, looks exactly like him. His name is Wilivaldo (Wili). Because of this, Rigo has figured out a way to get Tacho across the border. He will impersonate Wili, and using Wili’s passport, will drive right through.
Rigo and Tacho easily make it through the border with some playful talk about their "relationship", while Tacho remains disguised as Wili. They stop to eat and Rigo allows Tacho to use his phone to call Irma and then Matt's place. He is disappointed when Atomiko answers the phone, but at least he knows they are safe.
Rigo drops him off at the Visitors' Center. Tacho cries a little, moved by Rigo’s kindness and friendship and then calls the girls again. They send El Brujo to pick him up with the password: "Yul Brynner - Mexico's greatest movie star.
Chapters 22-24 Analysis
Irma’s mysterious past relationship with Chavarin is revealed in this section and further adds to the breaking of illusions in this story. We now know that Irma grew into her alter ego (La Osa) and vigilant feminism through heartbreak. No wonder she has a strong distrust and dislike for the men of Tres Camarones who went north – she was abandoned too. Chavarin is more than he seems, as well. Urrea presents his past as a confident ladies man, but time and his experience in the USA has spurned him too, leaving him ashamed.
The luck of the warriors seems to have turned permanently to the good as Tacho is reunited with the girls and they locate Chavarin. In addition, the warriors have collected two of their own Magnificent Seven to return home to Sinaloa.
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By Luis Alberto Urrea
