Breaking Through

During their time of independent living in California, Francisco and Roberto try to brighten the barracks through the creative use of found materials, such as using left over linoleum to cover the kitchen floor and constructing a kitchen cabinet at shop class. They discipline themselves to continue their mother’s house cleaning routines. When their parents and siblings arrive by cab one day, the normally undemonstrative Papa kisses Francisco for the first time. Roberto emerges further as a secondary mature, nurturing father figure. Humble, uncomplaining and hard- working, he deflects parental praise regarding his construction of the cabinet by asking them about their experiences in Mexico.

Mr. and Mrs. Jiménez give both boys small gifts as tokens of gratitude for their financial assistance; Roberto receives a statue of Santo Nino de Atocha and Francisco receives a small bust of Jesus Christ to replace the chipped one found in the dump. While Francisco is touched by the model of the suffering Christ, the replication “[…] made [him] feel sad” (45). The gratitude felt by the brothers is mirrored by the appreciation of their parents, most particularly their mother.

Papa’s sternness as family patriarch is exemplified throughout the book.