Breaking Through Essay

â€Å"Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it’s the courage to continue that counts†(Winston Churchill). Life is dependent on our dreams. If you ever fail along the way to your success, you’ll be tempted to get yourselves right back and continue your journey. Although, if ever found yourself to be successful, would you stop there? Or would you have the courage to continue and set higher goals for yourself? In the book â€Å"Breaking Through† in which Francisco Jimenez is the main character and author, he faces many obstacles. Although, Francisco has encountered multiple obstacles, he has many characteristics, which are being responsible, ambitious and respectful. Francisco has faced many dilemmas in his life, yet they’ve made Francisco a better person at the end of the day. Francisco has countless of characteristics. Although the ones in which stood out the most would be being responsible, ambitious and respectful. Francisco has a large number of characteristics, which make him such an admirable character in the book â€Å"Breaking Through†. The first characteristic that plays a big role in Francisco’s character would be being responsible. Francisco’s dreams are to go to college and have a better future for himself and his family. Although his home situation and him being emigrate from Mexico, struggling with English cause him to face many obstacles before he reaches his goal. Due to his home situation, Francisco learns to be very responsible. One perfect example would be when Roberto and Francisco come back to Bonnetti ranch with out their parents. Roberto and Francisco had to go to school and work and lastly save money to send to their parents back at Mexico. Francisco says, â€Å"The sounds of Papa’s coughing, the rattle of his aspirin bottle, and the rolling of Mama’s twelve-inch lead pipe as she pressed dough to make tortillas were absent.† Francisco says (19) The second characteristic Francisco has would be is being very ambitious with helping his family and his personal goals like attending college. Francisco has always loved learning but English has not always been easy for him to learn. Although Francisco has other responsibilities apart from school he works in the  fields and with Mike Nevel. One example that shows how ambitious Francisco is when he runs for student body president. Regardless of Francisco’s other obligations he was determined to make time for school priorities. â€Å"If I run and win, I’d have to study more in the evenings after work, sleep less, and skip some scho ol dances.† â€Å"Francisco says (140) Lastly, the third characteristic that stood out to me as well is Francisco is very loyal. Francisco and papa have different opinions about the future. Although papa would prefer for Francisco to not leave for college, Francisco always has Papa’s wishes in his heart. Every decision he makes or takes into consideration, Francisco always thinks about how will it affect his family finically or emotionally. One example to this characteristic would be when Francisco is at his second semester of his senior year. When his fellow classmates are sharing their options on what university they might attend. Although not for Francisco, he is positive about Papa not letting him continue his education beyond high school. â€Å"Some were going to the University of California at Santa Barbra or UCLA. Others got into Fresno state but were waiting to hear from Berkeley. I did not share their enthusiasm. I had to stay at home and continue helping my family.† Francisco says (163) In conclusion, although Francisco has many characteristics that are shown in â€Å"Breaking Through† the ones that stood out the most me were being responsible, ambitious, and loyal. Characteristics are what make us a good or bad person at the end of the day. Also, it’s meant for us to show other people are potential in life or other wise.