Tortilla Flat: The Rationalizations of Desperate Paisanos

Throughout the book Tortilla Flat, by John Steinbeck, there are several cases where the paisanos rationalize the things they do to make them seem better to themselves, and to make other people see things their way. The rationalizations vary, but most are made by Pilon, and are used in some way to benefit Danny, or seem to. The rationalizations come in very early in the book. Pilon finds himself in need of food for himself …

…for electricity, and that would then in turn save Danny from having to buy have wires put into her home. It is clear that rationalization is a commonly used tool for the paisanos. They use it daily to help them feel better about things they are about to do, good or bad. Pilon seems to be the instigator of most of the rationalizations, merely because of his deductive reasoning and careful attention to all details.