We've got your back. With the Tough-O-Meter, you'll know whether to bring extra layers or Swiss army knives as you summit the literary mountain. (10 = Toughest)
(4) Base Camp
Tortilla Flat isn't too hard to understand: one thing follows the next, and nothing too philosophical comes up. However, the flowery language, as well as the early-20th-century Monterey slang, might give you a challenge every now and then. Just remember that even if you don't catch every cultural reference, you are still getting a front-row view of a world that doesn't exist anymore—which is pretty cool, if you ask us.
Steinbeck does use a lot of Spanish in Tortilla Flat, so to help you out, we're including a mini-glossary for you here. You can thank us later, Shmoopers.
- Ai, amigo, a'onde vas?: Hey, friend, where you going?
- amigo: friend
- capitán: captain
- caporál: corporal, a military rank
- Chinga tu madre: F*** your mother (obscene)
- cholo: derogatory term for a Mexican used in California in the early 20th century
- generál: general, a military rank
- In Nomen Patris et Filius et Spiritu Sancti: In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (this one's Latin)
- Madre de Dios, que vino!: Mother of God, what fine wine!
- paisano: literally, a peasant (Spanish and Italian). "He is a mixture of Spanish, Indian, Mexican, and assorted Caucasian bloods. His ancestors have lived in California for a hundred or two years. He speaks English with a paisano accent and Spanish with a paisano accent. When questioned concerning his race, he indignantly claims pure Spanish blood and rolls up his sleeve to show that the soft inside of his arm is nearly white. His color, like that of a well-browned meerschaum pipe, he ascribes to sunburn. He is a paisano, and he lives in the uphill district above the town of Monterey called Tortilla Flat, although it isn't a flat at all" (Preface, 5).
- piojo: flea
- Pon un condo a la cabeza: Stick a condom on your head
- Portagee: a person of Portuguese descent (sometimes derogatory)
- puta: prostitute (derogatory)
- Qué tomas?: What are you drinking?
- salud!: literally, health; used to make a toast, like "cheers!"
- su servidor: "your humble servant" or "yours truly"
- viejo/vieja: old man/old woman