Borders in Tropic of Orange

The title of Tropic of Orange is significant because it brings together two key symbolic

components featured throughout the novel. These symbols are the tropic of cancer and oranges.

Much of Yamashita’s novel addresses issues surrounding borders, both real and imagined.

Tropic of Cancer is one of these borders which divide the planet’s climates. While theoretically

this is a border which serves a purpose, it is imaged by humans to explain a natural phenomenon.

This concept of imagined borders is important as Yamashita applies it to the reader’s

understanding of nearly everything. Stereotypes can be understood as imagined borders which

define behavior.  One example of a moment in the novel which exemplifies this issue that the title raises

occurs in the chapter Diamond Lane in the section Tuesday. A woman is selling oranges and

catches Buzzworm’s attention. She says, “Look. I got nice oranges. This not the season see. So

is imported from Florida.” Buzzworm corrects her, explaining that oranges from Florida are no

imported because they are shipped within the United States but that oranges from Mexico would

be imported. The woman responds, “Por que? Florida’s more far away than Mexico.” The

woman has a point. In a brief passage that shows an interaction between a street vendor and a

patron demonstrates the absurdity of these imagined borders. Geographically, Florida is much

further away from Los Angeles than Mexico but when it comes to trade, it is only national

borders which matter.  There are several other moments which address similar issues but this moment is

significant because of the cynical tone which draws attention to the absurdity of these borders.