How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"La frontera" is a word I often heard when I was a child living in El Rancho Blanco, a small village nestled on barren, dry hills several miles north of Guadalajara, Mexico. I heard it for the first time back in the late 1940s when Papá and Mamá told me and Roberto, my older brother, that someday we would take a long trip north, cross la frontera, enter California, and leave our poverty behind.
I did not know exactly what California was either, but Papá's eyes sparkled whenever he talked about it with Mamá and his friends. "Once we cross la frontera, we'll make a good living in California," he would say, standing up straight and sticking out his chest. (1.1-2)
Right from the start, we know that Francisco's family wants a different life when they get to California. And the big change they're looking for is to get out of poverty. How do you think Francisco and his family are defining poverty here? It certainly seems to be about having enough money to live, since Papá mentions wanting to "make a good living in California." How else do they define poverty?
Quote #2
Noting that Papá had closed his eyes, I turned to Roberto and asked, "What's California like?"
"I don't know," he answered, "but Fito told me that people there sweep money off the streets."
"Where did Fito get that idea?" Papá said, opening his eyes and laughing.
"From Cantinflas," Roberto said assuredly. "He said Cantinflas said it in a movie."
"Cantinflas was joking," Papá responded, chuckling. "But it's true that life is better there." (1.10-14)
When it comes to California, Francisco and his family have big dreams. Sure some of these dreams come from Cantinflas (a famous Mexican movie star) so they're on the exaggerated side—but the idea that they might sweep money off the street gives us a clue about one of the hopes they have for their new life. Francisco and his fam might not expect to get rich, but it definitely sounds like they want a life that isn't defined by poverty. Keep an eye out for ways they reach this dream… and ways they don't.
Quote #3
"He still has a fever," Papá said pensively. "His stomach feels hard. Maybe it's something he ate. If he doesn't get better soon, we'll have to take him to the hospital."
"But we don't have any money," Mamá responded, sobbing and looking sadly at Torito.
"We'll borrow, or… something," Papá said, putting his right arm around Mamá's shoulder. (4.21-23)
Poverty comes in all different shapes and sizes, but this time it means not having enough money to cover health expenses. And that's bad news for Torito. Can you tell just how worried Mamá and Papá are about going to the hospital? Without enough money to pay for treatment, Torito won't make it, but they can't just sweep money off the street either. The family is in a terrible pickle.