Into the Beautiful North

by

Luis Alberto Urrea

Don Porfirio Character Analysis

Porfirio is Araceli's wife. He used to be a trash picker, but when the city of Tijuana closed down the dump, he began washing car windshields instead. He and Araceli only make a few dollars per day begging and washing windshields, and he believes that the worst people are those who don't want to work. Despite their poverty, Porfirio and Araceli are relatively happy and extremely kind to Nayeli and her friends.
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Don Porfirio Character Timeline in Into the Beautiful North

The timeline below shows where the character Don Porfirio appears in Into the Beautiful North. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 12
Borders and Ownership Theme Icon
Disillusionment and Idealization Theme Icon
The story introduces two beggars, Doña Araceli and her husband, Don Porfirio. They were once corn farmers, but now they beg and work in Tijuana. Araceli is... (full context)
Racism Theme Icon
Disillusionment and Idealization Theme Icon
Female Friendship vs. Romance Theme Icon
Araceli and Porfirio approach Nayeli and ask her if she's alright. Nayeli replies that they're in trouble, but... (full context)
Disillusionment and Idealization Theme Icon
When they board a bus, Nayeli pays the fare for Porfirio and Araceli. When the bus begins to climb a rocky hill, Porfirio motions for the... (full context)
Chapter 13
Borders and Ownership Theme Icon
Racism Theme Icon
...Tacho points out names written on baby furniture. Next to this part of the cemetery, Porfirio stops them in front of a blue shack and ushers his guests inside.  (full context)
Borders and Ownership Theme Icon
Disillusionment and Idealization Theme Icon
Male vs. Female Heroism Theme Icon
Female Friendship vs. Romance Theme Icon
...purchasing rum as a gift when he went to purchase eggs, and now, hours later, Porfirio dances drunkenly. Tacho primly sips his rum, and Nayeli, Yolo, and Vampi just sit on... (full context)
Chapter 14
Disillusionment and Idealization Theme Icon
...Irma. Irma doesn't pick up, and Nayeli almost cries. Atómiko then follows her back to Porfirio and Araceli's, where he decides that he and Tacho are great friends. Though Nayeli insists... (full context)
Chapter 15
Borders and Ownership Theme Icon
Disillusionment and Idealization Theme Icon
Male vs. Female Heroism Theme Icon
Vampi and Araceli water the roses, while Yolo and Porfirio drink a cocktail made with the rum. Tacho tells Atómiko the group's story, and finally,... (full context)