Reaching Out

“Roberto and I had been inseparable ever since we were children living in El Rancho Blanco, a small village nestled on barren dry hills in the northern part of the state of Jalisco, Mexico.” 

Frank’s close relationship with his older brother Roberto (“Toto”) is central to the story. Growing up, they were great friends and performed farm chores together. After the family’s deportation, Roberto lived alone with Frank on the ranch for a time and cared for him “like a father” (2). After Roberto gets married and leaves home, Frank continues to visit him frequently. During his college years, Frank often visits with Roberto and his family before visiting home. Roberto acts as an intermediary between the family and Frank, conveying bad news to him (e.g., the ranch burning down). 

“Ever since he had hurt his back from doing stoop labor for many years and could no longer work in the fields, his temper had gotten worse.” 

The emotional and physical trauma suffered by Frank’s father casts a deep shadow over the book. Mr. Jiménez feels ashamed of his inability to support the family better. He misses Mexico, never quite feeling at home in America, and resents his older children leaving home. He wants the family to be together again, preferably in Mexico. 

“As we entered Salinas, I remembered that this was John Steinbeck’s birthplace.” 

Frank’s reading of Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath in high school was a crucial experience for him, the first time he read a book to which he could personally relate. The experiences of the Joad family in that book struck a chord with Frank’s own experiences in a family of migrant workers. Although the book was a difficult read for him at that time, he “could not put it down.” (9). Frank’s fascination with Steinbeck’s book presages the fact that he will eventually make his career in literature. 

“You’re going too fast. Slow down, Panchito!” 

Frank’s father speaks this line to his son as he drives the family to Santa Clara College. In addition to its literal meaning, it could also signify the fact that, by pursuing a college education and becoming more “American,” Frank is to some extent leaving his father’s world and concerns behind. Frank and his father will grow somewhat estranged after Frank leaves for college.

“She had always wanted a house of our own, but no matter where we lived, whether it was in an old garage, a tent, or an army barrack, she always made it our home.”

This passage refers to Frank’s mother’s skill as a homemaker. As the family turns into the college campus, Mrs. Jiménez admires the beauty of the Spanish colonial-style houses and Spanish Mission-style church, which remind her of Mexico. Her appreciation for beautiful things leads her to adorn their home in whatever way she can.

“I had a hard time falling asleep, thinking about my family. Was it right for me to be here at college while they struggled to make ends meet at home?” 

Immediately upon arriving at college, Frank begins to be plagued by self-doubt about the path he is taking. This doubt, which will persist throughout much of the book, is a good illustration of Frank’s conscientious character and love for his family. He is a reflective, thoughtful, and sensitive person who always weighs his actions and the effects they will have on others. 

“After class I went into the Mission Church and knelt in the first pew, on the left side, facing the fresco painting of Saint Francis on the Cross. I said the ‘Our Father’ prayer and remained there several minutes, contemplating the mural depicting Saint Francis resting his foot on a globe, his hands touching the crucified Body of Christ. It was as if Christ’s sacrifices flowed through Saint Francis to bless the whole world, including me.” 

There is a strong undercurrent of Catholicism in the book. Frank is a believing Catholic from a traditionally Catholic culture, and he attends a Catholic college that is run by Jesuit priests, many of whom serve as his professors and advisors. Frank turns to prayer frequently, both in times of distress and of joy. These moments of prayer often take place in the campus church, whose Mission-style design recalls Frank’s Hispanic heritage. Here, Frank prays in gratitude for having received a good grade on his English essay after having struggled in the class. Frank identifies his sufferings with those of Jesus on the Cross, sufferings which have redemptive value for human beings. 

“His tenderness and honesty calmed me down completely. He sounded like my older brother, who always looked out for me. I missed Roberto more than ever at that moment.” 

At first, Smokey’s persistent nagging of Frank to attend sports games annoys him, but when Frank realizes that Smokey only wants him to be happy, he changes his attitude and proposes a compromise. This is another quote that illustrates Frank’s empathetic and emotionally sensitive nature. 

“I woke up in a cold sweat. For a few seconds I did not know where I was. My heart was pounding and my head felt like it was in a vise. I took four aspirins and crawled back into bed. Then I remembered what had happened the night before and felt ashamed.” 

This passage describes Frank’s strong physical reaction to drinking beer for the first time after a football game. Unlike his classmates, he has never drunk before, since alcohol was never allowed in his house growing up. They, and particularly Smokey, pressure him into drinking the beer. Frank gets slightly drunk and, after going to bed back at his dorm, wakes up with a hangover and a strong feeling of guilt at what he has done. Ironically, Frank’s father will later develop a drinking problem that will cause tension in his family. 

“None of us felt relaxed or happy around him, but we continued praying for him and being respectful.” 

While Frank is away at college his father’s physical health worsens, accompanied by emotional instability and erratic behavior. He is frequently angry, irritable, and unsociable. Although this makes life difficult for his family, they continue to show love and respect toward him. Frank never lashes out at his father, for example, even though inwardly he resents the way his father acts toward him at times. This demonstrates the importance that Frank’s family places on respect, particularly toward elders and those in authority.

“Walk erect and with your chin up, like Don Quixote…With a name like yours, you should be proud of your Spanish heritage.” 

Father O’Neill invites Frank to take a walk with him across campus after he learns of Frank’s troubles at home. He tells Frank to break his habit of always looking down while he walks. The quote underlines the positive and supportive nature of the Santa Clara clergy toward Frank. It is also significant that O’Neill chooses a character from Spanish literature to show Frank how he must carry himself. 

“Are you a leader of a follower?” 

Father Shanks poses this question starkly to Frank by way of a preface to explaining the mission of the Sodality of Our Lady, the fraternal organization he chairs on campus. Frank at first feels intimidated by the question, since he does not feel himself a natural leader. Shanks, however, explains that it is a rhetorical question meant to make Frank think about his life and commitments. Frank realizes that his previous activities in high school show him to be a caring individual with the potential to be a leader.

“Everything happens for a reason. We must have faith and trust in God.” 

Father O’Neill offers Frank these words of comfort after he learns about Frank’s father’s troubles. Frank recalls them later, when with his family he expresses his hope that his father will return. The quote brings to the fore the spiritual and religious dimension that underlies the book. The Jiménez family confronts adversity with firm hope that God will make things right again. 

“If we don’t have faith and hope, what do we have left?” 

Frank’s mother speaks these words, “proudly,” in the wake of the departure of Frank’s father. They underline the spiritual dimension of the lives of the Jiménez family and their trust in a higher power. They have hope that the father will return—although Trampita sounds a skeptical note and opines that the father will stay in Mexico. 

“If you have a job, be grateful. And never turn down work.” 

Mr. Jiménez’ words to Frank point to the strong work ethic that undergirds the family. Frank knows that the only way to achieve one’s goals is through persistent hard work, and he accepts any kind of physical labor, whether it be picking cotton, cleaning windows, painting meters, or delivering packages. It is this dedication to work that allows Frank to pursue higher education.

“He…explained that sometimes we would be baffled by our experiences because they did not come neatly packaged and labeled. He encouraged us not to give up and told us that the struggle was as important as finding the answer.” 

Frank searches for answers in the wake of his father’s departure to Mexico and wrestles with the difficult decision of whether to stay in school or drop out and help his family. He attends Sodality meetings, in which philosophy professor Father Shanks gets the students to think about the meaning and purpose of their lives. Shanks explains that one must find the answers to life in one’s faith and experiences. This discussion leads to a private conversation in which he urges Frank to stay in school.  

“After finishing the paper, I thought about Father Shanks’s question and the advice he and Father O’Neill had given me. They were right. I had to sacrifice and finish college.” 

Frank comes to this conclusion after completing a paper for philosophy class comparing Plato’s Allegory of the Cave with his own life as a migrant worker. Frank’s family are like the people in the allegory, chained in a dark cave and unable to escape. Frank sees himself as the prisoner who managed to break free and returns to set the others free. Thus, by finishing college Frank is not being selfish but sacrificing of himself for his family’s sake. After he becomes a teacher, he will be in a better position to help them and better their lives. 

“I walked her back to Nobili and watched her rush up the stairs. She and I continued sharing stories every day after we closed the lab. The more time we spent together, the more I appreciated our friendship. I learned to trust her and developed a deep affection for her.” 

This marks the beginning of Frank’s relationship with Laura, whom he will eventually marry. The two students befriend each other in Latin American Literature class and talk together outside the library, where they both work at the language lab. Their relationship is built especially on their common experiences of growing up in working-class immigrant families. Laura is a person Frank can trust, which leads him to confide in her about the secret of his birth. 

“I told her that my mother thought that people who had prejudices were ignorant and blinded by the devil. Emily and I agreed—ignorance was the devil.” 

Both Frank and Emily experienced some prejudice growing up because of their Spanish-speaking background. Frank bristles at the prejudice against Mexicans shown by a student in a Sodality meeting, and laments along with Rafael Hernández the inhuman treatment that some Mexicans receive in America, recalling the time a migrant worker was deported because he refused to pull a plow like an ox.

“I completed the application form, writing down ‘Tlaquepaque, Mexico’ for my place of birth. Writing down the truth felt strange but liberating.” 

This passage occurs as Frank fills out his petition for naturalization, which proves successful and leads to his becoming an American citizen. The quote highlights the relief that Frank feels in unburdening himself of his guilt over his illegal status and his habit of lying to cover it up. While he has told his secret to friends such as Laura and Father Shanks, the act of writing it down on his naturalization papers makes the truth public for the first time. 

“Our voices filled the Ceremonial Court Room like a prayer. We all had emigrated to the United States from various countries and were now American citizens. We were all different yet the same.”

These are Frank’s thoughts as he recites the Pledge of Allegiance along with other new American citizens after just having taken his oath of citizenship. The passage reflects several key characteristics of Frank: his patriotism, human empathy, and religious faith. Becoming a citizen lifts from Frank the heavy burden of his previous illegal status. 

“It is well to remember there must be courage, but also, that in victory there must be humility.” 

This is spoken by César Chávez on the steps of the capitol in Sacramento, after having successfully obtained official recognition for his farmers’ union. The quote reflects the principles of graciousness and virtue that also inform Frank’s personality and value system. 

“My freshman year I had been eager to see time pass by quickly, especially when things were difficult at home. Now I wished for time to stop.” 

Although he is happy to be graduating, Frank experiences a wave of melancholy as he faces the prospect of leaving his familiar college life behind. These experiences include visiting with Laura and Smokey, having talks with Father O’Neill, and browsing through the library. Leaving college to start a new life as a graduate student in New York will be the next milestone in Frank’s life.