Breaking Through

Breaking Through by Francisco Jimenez
Date of Publication: August 27, 2011
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company

               Breaking Through, written by Francisco Jimenez, is a first person innocent story that talks about the difficulties and struggles that Francisco and his family faced over the years. The Jimenez family was hoping that once they have migrated from Mexico into the United States, they would be able to earn more money and have a better living, although they migrated into the United States illegally by crossing the border. Few years later, they were arrested by the border patrol and escorted back to Mexico. Once they have received proper documentation to migrate, to go back to their home in California. Over the months Francisco has been absent from school and is now struggle in each and every one of his classes. Francisco's Papa is now experiencing back pain and would have mood swings.

               No matter how many jobs each of the family members has, the money that they earn is not enough to suffice the family. Once Francisco's brother, Roberto, has gotten married and moved away, the family's financial problems has increased. Not only Francisco has to worry about his family problems, but also college too. During Francisco's high school life, he has been working hard in to pass each class and in return he gets exceptional good grades. Francisco was told of the many scholarships he could obtain due to his good grades and the financial aid that he could sign up for. Few months have passed and he received a letter telling him that he is now enrolled into the University of Santa Clara. After graduation, Francisco begins his journey and heads out to his new year in college.

Quote: "But when I said I was Mexican there was dead silence" (Jimenez 107).

Reaction: In this quote it tells the readers about the discrimination and racism that comes out of Roberto's girlfriend, Susan's, family when he pays them a house visit. The moment that Roberto tells Susan's parents that he was Mexican, their conversation afterwards got uncomfortable and less friendly. After Roberto stated his nationality, Susan's parents opposed them of going out together, but both Susan and Roberto did not agree with their decision. Susan's Papa even tried to bribe her to stop going out with Roberto by promising that he would buy a car for her. Even though her parents disagreed about having them dating each other, they still kept going out and even kept it as a secret from Susan's parents. It was not long before they were discovered by Susan's Papa. In opinion I thought that Susan's parent should not oppose who she is dating even if they are Mexican or any other nationality and also it limits her freedom of choosing who to date.