The Circuit: Stories from the Life of a Migrant Child

Papá optimistically begins the family’s journey to the United States, convinced that life will be an improvement for them all, but his expectations are soon dashed.

Papá is not afraid of hard work and pushes himself to work as much as possible and find work even when it is scarce. Papá is first out onto the frozen cotton fields on Thanksgiving Day, and hurries to eat lunch to be able to pick as much as possible. Unfortunately, the return for all Papá’s work is never enough to break the family out of poverty and free them from the circuit. Papá worries constantly about having enough money to support his growing family. The pressure and responsibility wear on Papá, making him irritable and stressed. His back pain also contributes to his short temper.

As the years pass over the course of Francisco’s stories, Papá’s back pain increases until he cannot work in the fields anymore. He smokes heavily and takes large amounts of aspirin to assuage his pain. Papá feels bitter that he can no longer fulfill the traditional male role of provider for his family: His family is his life’s purpose. Despite his growing pain and worry that manifest in anger, Papá loves his family. He shows his love in his tender Christmas gift to Mamá, and in his pride in Roberto for getting a full-time job and completing an education.

Mamá not only works long, hard days alongside her husband in the fields, but she also cares for the entire family, physically and emotionally. Mamá keeps the family fed, cleverly sourcing food even when money is tight. She nurtures their spirits with her optimism, love, and faith. Only Mamá could find humor in visualizing her cotton sack as a beautiful wedding dress.

When Rorra takes Francisco’s pennies, Mamá teaches Francisco that love and family matter more than physical possessions. Mamá also drives the family’s faith. She tells the children the Nativity story on Christmas Eve, and her passionate belief that God will not let Torito die fuels her prayers. Like her battered cookpot, Mamá is bruised but unbroken by adversity (See: Symbols & Motifs). She perseveres. Although Francisco sees at Christmas that she has dark circles under her eyes, and her face is “weatherworn,” Mamá keeps hope alive and encourages and supports the family she loves.

Four years older than Francisco, eight-year-old Roberto is as excited as Papá to travel north and enjoy the bounty of California. Roberto is quickly disappointed, but like the rest of the family, he works hard and endures without complaint. Like Francisco, Roberto’s education is interrupted by the need to work alongside Papá and provide for the family. When Francisco returns to school, but Roberto must continue harvesting la bola, Roberto resignedly accepts his duty. Roberto, however, also has bigger hopes for himself and the family. He does not want to spend his life constantly moving and working in the fields. Earning the job as a janitor earns his parents’ pride and secures a better future for them all.

Roberto is a good brother and a good friend to Francisco. He wordlessly comforts Francisco with a hug when Francisco does not want to be left behind in “Soledad,” and helps bury El Perico and makes a cross for the parrot’s grave. Roberto’s quiet support has a big impact on Francisco. Francisco shows how much Roberto’s love and friendship mean to him when he vows to live in Santa Maria if that’s where Roberto wants to settle down, saying, “So if you decide to live here forever, I will too” (127).

Mr. Lema is the kindly teacher who understands Francisco’s fear of reading aloud on his first day, and “gladly” helps Francisco learn new vocabulary at lunchtime. Mr. Lema shows that he is an encouraging and supportive teacher who is invested in Francisco’s learning. He also shows his friendship by going beyond tutoring and offering to teach Francisco to play the trumpet. Although the circuit takes away Francisco’s opportunities to learn from Mr. Lema, by memorializing him in “The Circuit” Francisco shows how much he valued the teacher’s attention and help. Francisco credits the support of teachers like Mr. Lema for helping him hone his abilities and escape the circuit.

Gabriel, a bracero with long sideburns and a weatherworn face, works for Mr. Díaz. Gabriel works hard to support a young family in Mexico but complains that Mr. Díaz takes advantage of his workers by taking too much of their earnings. Gabriel refuses to be bullied by Mr. Díaz. He asserts his dignity, refusing to pull a plow like an animal. Gabriel’s character shows Francisco the importance of standing up for himself, but also illustrates the precarious position of migrant laborers and how quickly their livelihood can be lost. Gabriel loses his job and is sent back to Mexico, something neither he nor his family can afford.

Carlos is a bully who dictates the rules for the kids’ kick-the-can game. Carlos acts and looks tough: He wears jeans and carries a pack of cigarettes in one of the rolled-up sleeves of his t-shirt. Francisco does not like playing with Carlos, because Carlos tells everyone what to do, and Carlos refuses to let another little boy, Manuelito, play with them. After seeing Gabriel stand up to Mr. Díaz, Francisco gets the courage to stand up against this bully in his life. Facing off against Carlos reveals Francisco’s sense of pride and self-respect.