The Circuit: Stories from the Life of a Migrant Child

“Roberto was quiet. He had a sad look in his eyes.”

Roberto, initially excited to leave Mexico, quickly realizes that their new life in the United States may not be an improvement when Papá has no work, and they must live off the land. Roberto shows how deeply he longs for a better life in his naïve, childlike hope they are not in California, and that it is still a shining land of riches.

“Once I lost sight of them, I felt pain in my chest, that same pain I always felt whenever they left Trampita and me alone.”

Francisco reveals a mix of emotions in his desire to pick cotton with Mamá, Papá, and Roberto: the physical ache of loneliness, soledad, his recognition of The Value of Family, and the drive to show that he can work and be useful. Francisco’s feelings reveal both his sensitivity and resilience. Though he hates being alone, he does his duty and cares lovingly—until he gets sidetracked—for Trampita.

“But when I spoke to Arthur in Spanish and Miss Scalapino heard me, she said ‘NO!’ with body and soul. Her head turned left and right a hundred times a second and her index finger moved from side to side as fast as a windshield wiper on a rainy day. ‘English, English,’ she repeated.”

Francisco’s depiction of Miss Scalapino’s chastisement creates a humorous image, but Francisco’s lack of English comprehension is not funny to him. He struggles to understand Miss Scalapino, but she and the school offer no strategies to help Francisco acquire English other than total immersion. Francisco’s first grade experience is markedly different from contemporary educational practices and reveals how his struggle to get an education was one of The Challenges of the Immigrant Experience from the beginning.

“I was sure information was in the words written underneath each picture in large black letters. I tried to figure them out by looking at the pictures. I did this so many times that I could close my eyes and see the words, but I could not understand what they meant.”

Francisco makes an early effort to teach himself to read by using picture clues to decode the unintelligible English text. Although his efforts fail, Francisco reveals his desire to learn, and demonstrates his perseverance. These two qualities stay with Francisco throughout his life. He directs his education and learning throughout his childhood, gathering books and amassing knowledge in his librito (See: Symbols & Motifs).

“My favorite time in school was when we did art, which was every afternoon, after the teacher had read to us. Since I did not understand Miss Scalapino when she explained the art lessons, she let me do whatever I wanted. I drew all kinds of animals but mostly birds and butterflies. I sketched them in pencil then colored them using every color in my crayon box.”

Art frees Francisco to express himself using visual language when he is left out because of his lack of English. Francisco’s illustrations of birds and butterflies reveal his sensitivity and his love of nature. In The Circuit, butterflies represent transformation and freedom (See: Symbols & Motifs).

“‘It’s yours,’ I repeated, handing the drawing to Curtis.”

Francisco shows that he has learned to navigate new relationships when he gifts Curtis his prize-winning drawing: He uses English to address Curtis, showing he is acclimating to the larger world of school and non-Spanish speakers, and his generosity smooths over their past conflict.

“Besides lumber, I collected books, hoping to read them once I learned how. My favorites were those with pictures.”

When Francisco scavenges the dump for materials to make the family’s living conditions better, he also searches for books. Francisco’s determination to learn is evident at a young age. Despite being unable to read, he fully expects that he will learn. Although English is a struggle, he does not give up, but instead is confident he will succeed. His resolve in the face of many obstacles shows the strength of his character and his belief in The Importance of Education.

“‘When we took Torito to the hospital, the doctor told us my son would die because we had waited too long to take him there. He said it would take a miracle for him to live. I didn’t want to believe him,’ she continued, gaining strength as she talked. ‘But he was right. It took a miracle.’”

Mamá’s belief that God will save Torito is grounded in her faith. Mamá’s conviction is honored: Torito is healed. Mamá believes that God intervened and performed a miracle when scientific medicine and folk medicine failed. Religious faith gives the family strength in times of hardship and unites them as they pray for Torito’s survival. Mamá’s faith is one of the qualities that makes her hopeful, positive, and optimistic.

“The goldfish swam peacefully, alongside the little gray fish.”

The two fish swimming together in harmony suggest that despite their exterior differences, they are equal inside and can be friends. The fish illuminate Francisco’s loneliness and his longing for a friend while also showing Francisco’s sense of equality. The gray fish has every right to swim beside the fancy goldfish: a lesson that should also apply to people, but often does not, as Francisco and his family experience racial discrimination.

“I am sorry. I wish I could, paisano, but we’re broke too.”

Paisano means “fellow countryman.” Papá feels empathy for the young Mexican worker and his pregnant wife who try to sell their few belongings. He shows his sense of connection, community, and empathy for the young Mexican worker and his pregnant wife by purchasing the handkerchief—which he cannot afford—to help them and show Mamá his love.

“I fell to my knees and prayed and prayed for El Perico. The repetition of ‘Santa María, Madre de Dios, ruega Señora por nosotros los pecadores ahora y en la hora de nuestra muerte, amén,’ slowly comforted and soothed my soul. Then I prayed for my father.”

Francisco is overwhelmed with grief when Papá kills El Perico. He turns to his faith for comfort, showing again how religion informs his values and beliefs. After praying for his friend, he prays for Papá. The words of the “Hail Mary” ask Mary to pray for the forgiveness of sins. With this prayer, Francisco shows that Papá has sinned. The story’s title suggests that Francisco’s prayers were heard and Papá’s sin—the death of El Perico—is forgiven by God and Francisco.

“On days when I was not in school, the honking of the horn was for me like the final bell on the last day of school. It meant I had to go to work. But for Papá, who usually hated any kind of noise, this loud sound was a tonic. It perked him up.”

Francisco shows his growing dislike of fieldwork, which increases as he gets older and school becomes even more important to him. His simile shows how unhappy he is when school ends—unlike other students who look forward to a summer of fun, Francisco faces months of work. School is preferable. Papá, in contrast, is motivated by the prospect of work, which eases some of his worries about providing for his family.

“Everything we owned was neatly packed in cardboard boxes. Suddenly I felt even more the weight of hours, days, weeks, and months of work.”

Constantly moving to follow the crops wears on Francisco. He sees that the family has no other option but to move and earn a living, yet they remain in poverty. Francisco’s comment reveals a moment of hopelessness. Francisco repeats the same first sentence from this quote as the last sentence in “The Circuit,” reflecting the family’s movement, pattern of work, and the cycle of poverty that the cardboard boxes symbolize (See: Symbols & Motif).

“I had not heard English for months.”

Francisco’s comment shows the difference between the two worlds that he inhabits: his life with his family and fellow Mexican migrant workers, and the other “outside” world of school and commerce that is populated with non-Mexican English speakers. It takes courage for Francisco to cross between the two and enroll himself in sixth grade, especially when he is self-conscious about his limited English. Francisco shows his determination in overcoming his insecurity to pursue The Importance of Education.

“Mr. Lema, my best friend at school.”

The fact that Francisco’s sixth-grade teacher is his best friend shows the impact a great teacher can make on a student, by both furthering their education and building their self-confidence. It also reveals the effects of the circuit: His school attendance is transitory, giving him few chances to make close friends his own age.

“I didn’t want to leave them, but I had no choice. We have to eat, you know. I send them a few dollars every month for food and things. I’d like to send them more, but after I pay Díaz for room and board and transportation, little is left…Díaz is a crook. He overcharges for everything.”

Gabriel’s complaint exemplifies the abuses and The Challenges of the Immigrant Experience that many braceros and migrant workers face from their employers. Although the braceros had contracts that were supposed to guarantee wages and rights, many were exploited and faced racial discrimination (See: Background).

“‘In my country, oxen pull plows, not men,’ Gabriel replied, tilting his hat back. ‘I am not an animal.’”

Gabriel, like many braceros, urgently needs to earn money to support his family—a position that contractors can easily take advantage of. Here, Gabriel maintains his dignity and self-respect in the face of Mr. Díaz’s inhumane work request—but it comes at a cost to him and his family, as he is dismissed and returned to Mexico. Though Papá believes Gabriel did the correct thing, Gabriel’s situation shows both the dependency and vulnerability of the braceros.

“You can push me around, but you can’t force me to play!”

Francisco “learns the game” of life—hard knocks and injustice—when he sees how Gabriel is treated and how the bracero reacts. Francisco applies that life lesson to his own conflict with Carlos, standing up against the bully’s unfair rules and treatment of Manuelito. Francisco shows his sense of fairness and equality as he confronts Carlos.

“You can have it. This way you’ll never forget the year I was born. And, if you keep on saving pennies, someday you’ll have your own treasure.”

One of Francisco’s two most cherished pennies is the 1910 penny that Papá gives him in a lighthearted mood. Francisco connects the penny to thoughts of Papá and his family, as well as the events of the Mexican Revolution (See: Index of Terms). The penny represents more than money to sensitive Francisco. Papá, though he recognizes the penny’s symbolism, shows his practical side, advising Francisco to save money and ultimately be successful.

“I had never been inside a house before.”

Visiting Carl’s home is an eye-opening experience for Francisco. It makes Francisco conscious of the socioeconomic differences between himself and Carl. Embarrassed by their poverty, he is uncomfortable showing Carl the family’s one-room cabin.

“So you see mi’jito, Rorra is more important than the pennies. Don’t be so hard on your little sister.”

Mamá offers tender words of wisdom on The Value of Family when Francisco is angry at Rorra. Mamá helps Francisco understand that the love and connection of family is more valuable than material possessions.

“I could see in my mind every word, every number, every rule, I had written in my note pad. I knew everything in it by heart. Mamá was right. It was not all lost.”

Francisco’s librito illustrates his commitment to The Importance of Education. He painstakingly records and memorizes work for school. He carries it everywhere, and it gives him an element of stability and connection to school. When it is lost, he is distraught until Mamá correctly observes that the knowledge is within him. Knowing that he has internalized his learning gives Francisco an even greater sense of permanence that helps counter the instability of the circuit.

“Education pays off, mi’jo. I am proud of you. Too bad your Mamá and I didn’t have the opportunity to go to school.”

Papá and Mamá understand The Importance of Education. Even as they follow the circuit, they give the boys as many opportunities to go to school as possible, so long as they are not urgently needed in the fields to support the family. Seeing Roberto earn a full-time job because he has formal schooling makes Papá proud, and possibly wistful knowing that he and Mamá might have had an easier life, and been better providers, had they attended school.