The Circuit by Francisco Jimenez Free Essay Example, 1000 words

Panchito rushes home â€Å"to tell Papà ¡ and Mamà ¡ the great news† (4). But he enters the shack only to find all their belongings â€Å"neatly packed in cardboard boxes† (5) yet again. The boxes symbolize Panchito’s imprisonment within â€Å"The Circuit† of migrant life. They represent the shattering of his dreams to live the life of a normal schoolboy and the end of his chance to learn music. He must put away the joy of his short life of a schoolboy once again, and set out with his family on the endless circle of moving and working. 2. The California that Panchito’s family moves to is definitely a very different place from Roberto’s expectations. Roberto believes that California is a place where ‘the streets are paved with gold, ’ and it will be easy for them to get rich there. Instead, the family experiences great economic hardship as migrant farm workers. They move continuously from one place to another in search of work, following the picking season for the various crops. The California that Panchito’s family moves to gives them a life of back-breaking work, picking fruits and cotton for low wages. We will write a custom essay sample on The Circuit by Francisco Jimenez or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now Panchito’s â€Å"body ached all over† (4) after a day in the fields. They pick fruits in terribly high temperatures of â€Å"almost one hundred degrees† (3). They have to manage with meager food and clothing, and poor living conditions in rough huts and broken-down garages. The garage is windowless, has a dirt floor and a â€Å"roof full of holes† (2). Panchito sleeps â€Å"outside under the trees† (3). There is no job security. They are glad to get any job on the farms. Panchito’s mother is very thankful to find work for a whole season in Fresno – â€Å"Mama clasped her hands† (2). The children cannot get a regular education because of need to move on when the picking in that particular area is over. This makes it difficult for Panchito to master English. He is always â€Å"struggling for English words† (4) because he speaks only Spanish with his family. I would not want to live in Panc hito’s California because the children are always on the move, and have no place to call ‘home. ’ They cannot attend a regular school, or make friends, and they suffer great hardship and poverty. 3. The title of the story, ‘The Circuit, ’ means a roughly circular line. It makes me think of moving round and round the same area, without any change in direction. It brings me back to the same place and makes me feel a sense of monotony. I think of Panchito’s family moving continuously from one farm to another, always working hard in the hot sun, living in broken-down huts and struggling against poverty.