Breaking Through

Francisco, as a result of serving as student-body president, is invited to attend a Rotary Club luncheon with his principal. The experience is stressful from the start, once he learns that he must buy a jacket and tie to wear to the event, thereby creating some financial pressure and the need to obtain Papa’s approval to spend money on the purchase. Cultural differences emerge, including the fact that Francisco does not know how to knot a tie. Francisco struggles with the use of the correct forks for the various courses involved in the lunch, as well as the humor of one of the businessmen in attendance, who jokingly imposes a “fine” on those late to the dining table. The dichotomy between the elegance of the dining room and the hard work of laborers is emphasized to Francisco when he looks out the window and sees a gardener kneeling to work. The author notes that the gardener’s “face was dark and weather-beaten. He reminded me of Papa” (161).

The president of the Rotary Club surprises Francisco by asking him to make a few remarks about Santa Maria High School. He is terribly upset and unnerved by the experience, lapsing into Spanish while trying to speak extemporaneously.