Hector begins Chapter 1 with the reflection, “the more you lose, the more American you can become” (1). With this reflection, he suggests that the process of becoming American—transitioning from a “Mexican immigrant” to an “American” identity—is a process of surrendering the land, culture, and elements of life he used to align with his Mexican self.

Over the course of The Madonnas of Echo Park, the different Mexican-American narratives establish a culture of adaptive behaviors based around loss. These behaviors most often revolve around lying: stretching the truth to obtain work, concealing the truth to retain work, and covering up the self-destructive behaviors (such as Hector’s affair with Cristina) used as temporary distractions from the limited options for Mexican immigrants. Though these narrators might prefer to live more honest lives, lying is often their sole line of defense against prejudice, discrimination, and even deportation. As Diego remarks to Hector when they discuss lying about their ages to get day-labor jobs, “When is the last time you got something for telling the truth?” (6)

In The Madonnas of Echo Park, numerous characters are forced to examine their culpability in situations, taking responsibility for their lies. When asked to dispose of the sledgehammer used to kill his friend, Diego, Hector confesses to the police, knowing he will be deported.