Breaking Through

While awaiting the return of their parents and siblings from Mexico following their deportation, Roberto and Francisco live alone in California. After a burglar steals the cash that the boys had hidden under their mattress, they start to hide their earnings inside a ceramic bust of Jesus Christ. Consider the attitude toward religion that Mama has instilled in her children. Does the statue represent anything other than a physical hiding place?

When Francisco’s classmate, Peggy Dossen, invites Francisco home to meet her parents, her mother becomes uncomfortable after asking him about his accent. Why does she have this reaction? Does Francisco realize immediately what the source of her discomfort is, or does he have an epiphany about Peggy’s sudden refusal to associate with him when he is older and looks back on the event?

Francisco and Papa clash on several occasions throughout the book. When Papa advises that his back injury has been cured by a Mexican curandera who “[…] discovered [he] had been hexed” (45), Francisco is somewhat skeptical and questions his father about the procedure. How would you imagine Francisco truly feels about this belief system? Why does he not pursue this discussion with Papa further?

On the eve of his graduation from junior high school, Francisco bathes with Fab detergent and Ajax in order to remove the stains caused by strawberries. Consider the implications of this “stain.” Are all the stains caused by picking strawberries physically visible and able to be removed by strong soap, or does Francisco struggle against other, figurative stains resulting from his life as a picker?

After suffering from mononucleosis as a result of overwork, Francisco tells his mother that “Maybe I am cursed […]” (155). Which family member is Francisco identifying with when he experiences this sort of despair? Does this experience ultimately help Francisco to feel more compassion toward those who suffer emotionally?

Francisco asks his parents to explain the legend behind a picture of an Aztec warrior guarding an Aztec princess whose “[…] eyes were closed” (186). Each parent provides a different explanation of the portrait. How do their respective interpretations of the work give clues to their individual worldviews?

Despite all of his achievements in high school, Francisco can never quite overcome the feelings of anxiety and embarrassment that he experienced when asked to speak extemporaneously at the Rotary Club luncheon. Aside from the fact that he is being asked to ad lib in a second language, what cultural factors make Francisco uncomfortable in this environment? In your opinion, does Francisco learn to be more at ease in similar situations as he matures further?

Papa’s irritability, complaints of constant headaches and frequent weeping all occur as his chronic back pain disables him and his dream of an independent strawberry farm is devastated. He is cared for by Mama, who encourages her children to demonstrate patience and understanding of their father’s behavior and seeks to cajole him out of his displays of anger. What do you suppose is Papa’s emotional difficulty? Would he be treated differently in current times than he was at that point?