logo

106 pages 3 hours read

Francisco Jiménez

Breaking Through

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | YA | Published in 2001

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Chapters 4-6Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 4 Summary: “Together Again”

During their time of independent living in California, Francisco and Roberto try to brighten the barracks through the creative use of found materials, such as using left over linoleum to cover the kitchen floor and constructing a kitchen cabinet at shop class. They discipline themselves to continue their mother’s house cleaning routines. When their parents and siblings arrive by cab one day, the normally undemonstrative Papa kisses Francisco for the first time. Roberto emerges further as a secondary mature, nurturing father figure. Humble, uncomplaining and hard- working, he deflects parental praise regarding his construction of the cabinet by asking them about their experiences in Mexico.

Mr. and Mrs. Jiménez give both boys small gifts as tokens of gratitude for their financial assistance; Roberto receives a statue of Santo Nino de Atocha and Francisco receives a small bust of Jesus Christ to replace the chipped one found in the dump. While Francisco is touched by the model of the suffering Christ, the replication “[…] made [him] feel sad” (45). The gratitude felt by the brothers is mirrored by the appreciation of their parents, most particularly their mother.

Papa’s sternness as family patriarch is exemplified throughout the book.

blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
Unlock IconUnlock all 106 pages of this Study Guide
Plus, gain access to 8,600+ more expert-written Study Guides.
Including features:
+ Mobile App
+ Printable PDF
+ Literary AI Tools