How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
In the latter part of October, after the grape season was over, we left Mr. Jacobson's vineyards in Fresno and headed for Corcoran to pick cotton. As we drove down the narrow, two-lane road, we passed vineyard after vineyard. Stripped of their grapes, the vines were now draped in yellow, orange, and brown leaves. Within a couple of hours, the vineyards gave way to cotton fields. On both sides of the road we were surrounded by miles and miles of cotton plants. I knew that we were approaching Corcoran. (8.1)
Sometimes the California landscape sounds seriously nice—the way Francisco describes it, the area even sounds pretty beautiful. When he talks about the plants being "draped" in colors, we get an awesome picture in our heads. But at the same time, all these fields mean super hard work for Francisco and his family, so that makes this setting a good deal less gorgeous.
Quote #8
The contratista tied one end of a thick rope to it and, handing the other end to Gabriel, said, "Here, tie this around your waist. I want you to till the furrows."
"I can't do that," Gabriel said with a painful look in his face.
"What do you mean you can't?" responded the contratista, placing his hands on his hips.
"In my country, oxen pull plows, not men," Gabriel replied, tilting his hat back. "I am not an animal."
The contratista walked up to Gabriel and yelled in his face, "Well this isn't your country, idiot! You either do what I say or I'll have you fired!" (10.36-40)
When Gabriel stands up to the contratista, things get heated. The contratista isn't a very nice guy, and he wants Gabriel to know who's boss, but Gabriel isn't willing to pretend that he's an animal. Remember how pretty all the fields can look to Francisco when he's driving through them? Well the contratista is making those fields look a whole lot different. Instead of being a beautiful place, now they sound like a way to make the workers feel less than human, and that's seriously uncool.
Quote #9
I was so excited about going back to Bonetti Ranch that I was the first one up the following morning. […] The trip took about five hours, but it seemed like five days to me. Sitting in the back seat, I opened the window and stuck my head out, looking for road signs saying SANTA MARIA. "Can't you go faster?" I asked impatiently, poking Roberto in the back. […]
The closer we got to Santa Maria, the more excited I became because I knew where we were going to live for the next several months. I especially looked forward to seeing some of my classmates in the eighth grade at El Camino Junior High. I had not seen them since last June when school ended. I wonder if they'll remember me? I thought to myself. (12.22, 29)
California might not always be a happy place for Francisco's family, but when it comes to moving back to Santa Maria, Francisco is spouting off some serious joy. Getting to stay in his old home and go to his old school have something to do with it, we think, and since California is where Francisco finds these simple pleasures, maybe the state isn't totally bad after all.