The Crossing

Throughout the novel, Paulsen highlight’s Manny’s lifestyle of lying to show that deception is a means of survival in desperate circumstances. Manny lies to tourists to gain their sympathy and their money. He also lies to the sergeant about his family background for the same reason.

Manny is not the only one with a habit of lying. The Mexican policeman at the bridge hears nothing but lies from others and is somewhat numb to them. For the officer, a lie is fine as long as he can manage the lie to “keep things moving correctly” (55). Paulsen suggests that such lies are a survival mechanism, and that people who habitually lie can perhaps fool themselves as well. Just as Manny lies to others, he also lies to himself by assuming he will successfully cross the border and make a better life, even though he knows this will be far more complicated to achieve. Although he knows it is unlikely that things will get better for him, he knows he must try, so he lies to himself about his chances to bolster his confidence. Paulsen shows that truth is rare in a place like Juárez, mainly because residents live in a state of desperation. Lies allow people to keep moving forward.

Robert also has experience with deception. He recognizes immediately that Manny lies about his father and later replaces that lie with a second one. Robert knows that on the streets, as in a war, to tell the truth makes one vulnerable. Although Paulsen does not go into detail about Robert’s past, he suggests that based on Robert’s experience as a soldier, he understands that lying to others and to oneself is a tactic for survival, to protect one’s weaknesses.

As the novel progresses, Manny considers telling the truth as a new means of inter-personal connection. The concept of truth is at first foreign to Manny, and he must think about the act of telling the sergeant the truth before he can actually do it. Robert realizes the moment that Manny drops all pretenses and speaks the truth; he is surprised by it, since  “the truth was dangerous, was to show weakness in the streets or in a war” (105). However, for Manny, the truth is now his only option; he tells Robert his story and requests his help for crossing the border. As Manny does so, the truth pours out of him “as if a dam burst” (106) and gives him a sense of relief. Additionally, Paulsen uses Manny’s outpouring of truth to motivate Robert’s growing sense of altruism. The two characters overcome their self-deception to build a new relationship based on honesty.

Paulsen uses the contrast between truth and lies to show the power each one holds. Lies allow Manny to survive on the streets and Robert to carry on despite the guilt and trauma he harbors. Conversely, truth leads to Manny’s chance at freedom and a better life. Additionally, for Robert, truth reopens emotions and parts of himself that were locked away, finally allowing him to heal. Although both truth and lies are powerful, only the truth leads to transformation and a sense of freedom for both Manny and Robert.