Breaking Through

Chapters 1-3

Reading Check

1. La migra (Chapter 1)

2. The preamble to the Declaration of Independence (Chapter 1)

Short Answer

1. The Jiménez family emphasizes virtues of self-discipline, spirituality, maturity, and hard work. Their mother, Joaquina, is the embodiment of nurturance and self-sacrifice. Intuitive and loving, she realizes how desperately Panchito wishes to accompany Roberto back to California; she persuades her husband by suggesting that Panchito can help his brother at work, “and both can attend school.” Panchito, who despairs at the thought of falling further behind in school, feels that his mother had read his mind. Although the children are somewhat intimidated by their rather stern father, they are all interested in pleasing their parents and making them proud. (Chapters 1-3)

2. When Roberto’s cash earnings are stolen from under the boys’ mattress, they hide future paychecks in a ceramic bust of Jesus that they’ve salvaged from the dump. Literally and metaphorically, their means of sustenance are saved by their faith. Similarly, the brothers tackle issues of ethnic discrimination (e.g., the apparent dismay of the parents of Peggy, Panchito’s classmate, after they realize that he is Mexican). (Chapters 1-3)

Chapters 4-6

Reading Check

1. A Mexican curandera (Chapter 4)

2. A form of blight (Chapter 5)

Short Answer

1. Roberto is Panchito’s older brother, who is mature and nurturing. He is also humble, uncomplaining, and hard-working. (Chapters 4-6)

2. Papa splashes some of his Old Spice aftershave lotion on Panchito’s face, and then gives him his own Saint Christopher medal as a graduation gift. In this poignant moment, Panchito notices that Papa’s back pain causes him to rise from a chair slowly, and that the chain holding the medal “had left a white ring around his sunburned neck.” Both observations are manifestations of Papa’s long life of physical labor. This moment is also significant because it is a rare moment of affection from Papa. (Chapter 5)

Chapters 7-9

Reading Check

1. $1 per hour (Chapter 7)

2. Tan corduroys (Chapter 8)

Short Answer

1. Papa’s mental state is negatively impacted by his ruined dream of owning a strawberry farm, according to Mama. Papa also dislikes working alone in the fields, now that Panchito and Roberto are off at school. (Chapter 8)

2. For example, when Panchito’s social studies teacher shows a film depicting an angry teenager throwing his books to the floor during an argument with his father, the author reflects on the rule in his home: No one expresses an opinion that contradicts their father’s. Although Papa clearly loves all his children, he exhibits a taciturn and cynical reaction when Panchito shares his dream of becoming a teacher, stating that the profession is reserved for those with money. Papa’s disappointment over his failed strawberry-farm venture, coupled with his increasing physical disability and chronic back pain, serve to color his world view with pessimism. Mama seeks to rationalize his behavior, reminding Panchito of his father’s various difficulties and suggesting that perhaps the older man’s comment regarding teaching was intended to make the boy think his plan through clearly. (Chapters 7-9)

Chapters 10-12

Reading Check

1. He feels it is a disgrace. (Chapter 10)

2. While working at his cleaning job, he finds an old typewriter in the storage room and buys it from the law firm for $5. (Chapter 11)

Short Answer

1. Miss Bell’s great gift as a teacher is instilling critical thinking in her students. When describing an assignment, she tells them, “I want you to analyze it.” Although Panchito tries very hard on his assignment, he is still given a “C” grade, but Miss Bell indicates that he is making good progress. He analyzes each correction she makes to avoid making the same mistake again. Miss Bell changes Panchito’s attitude toward reading and writing. (Chapter 12)

2. One testament to his incredibly strong work ethic: Both Panchito and Roberto seek additional paid income and remit their paychecks to their father without any sense of embitterment. Born to poverty, they assist the survival of the community in any way possible, and they accept their situation in ways that might have been unusual among many of their American-born contemporaries. Panchito’s work ethic extends to his studies as well. He is not emotionally defeated by the difficulties that he faces with reading comprehension and English composition; he analyzes his errors until he understands them and strives to avoid repeating them in future work. (Chapters 10-12)

Chapters 13-15

Reading Check

1. Once per week (Chapter 13)

2. A van owned by their employer, Santa Maria Window Cleaners (Chapter 14)

Short Answer

1. When Susan’s parents find out that Roberto is Mexican, they express discomfort. Susan’s father offers to buy Susan a car if she stops dating Roberto, and Panchito realizes that the same prejudice caused Peggy to stop seeing him. (Chapter 13)

2. Papa runs a strict, paternally dominated household. Conversely, when Susan’s parents want her to break off her relationship with Roberto, they bribe her with the offer of buying her a new car. This patriarchal influence on family dynamics extends itself to Roberto, as the oldest son in the Jiménez family. When Panchito raises his voice to his older brother after Roberto refuses to let him borrow his car, Papa angrily tells him that he must apologize, because a younger brother should not disrespect an older brother. (Chapters 13-15)

Chapters 16-18

Reading Check

1. To maintain order in the lunch line and prevent littering (Chapter 16)

2. Miss Kellogg, who is a US History teacher (Chapter 17)

Short Answers

1. In response to Panchito’s questions regarding their political views and the 1960 presidential race, Papa expresses cynicism regarding the true value of the working man’s vote and the sense that the US may not be much more equitable than the Mexican government. Mama, on the other hand, expresses optimism about John F. Kennedy’s platform. The author allies his own political thinking more closely with his mother’s and becomes an avowed Democrat. As such, Panchito and Mama are drawn closer; he and Papa are driven apart. (Chapters 16-18)

Chapters 19-21

Reading Check

1. School treasurer (Chapter 19)

2. Dolores del Rio (Chapter 20)

3. Mononucleosis (Chapter 21)

Short Answer

1. Panchito is thrilled with his victory after being elected class president; however, his spirits crash when he returns home to find that Papa is in the hospital. While cutting wood with a power saw, Papa pushed Torito away from the blade, catching his own hand on the saw in the process. After arriving at the hospital, Panchito learns that Papa has cut off a finger on his right hand. Papa says that while he lost a body part, “[i]t doesn’t matter; it’s old and useless.” Attempting to cheer up the family despite his own tears, Panchito shares the news of his election victory, and Papa notes, “I don’t know what it all means, […] but I am happy for you.” The author goes to his evening job and notes that he was emotionally drained by the highs and lows of the day, “like a bird caught in a storm.” (Chapter 19)

Chapters 22-25

Reading Check

1. The University of Santa Clara (Chapter 23)

2. 3.77 (Chapter 24)

3. JC Penney (Chapter 25)

Short Answer

1. The gardener reminds Panchito of Papa. The tragic dichotomy of this moment is that, as Panchito embraces upward mobility at a fancy lunch with his school principal, he is never far from the hardship and toil of his family’s background. (Chapter 22)