Gonzalez's Watches

Readers learn about two watches that Gonzalez has had: one from his father, and one from his lover. Gonzalez ultimately loses the one from his father, telling readers it was tacky and he is happy to have lost it. The watch from his lover, however, is described as elegant but beginning to feel like a handcuff.

In both instances, the watches symbolize a need to move on. It is literally time to go. Gonzalez has to move on and come to terms with his relationship with his father and then his lover. Once he does, his time will have come. Gonzalez realizes this, thus he takes the journey to reconcile his past with his present and move towards maturely.

The Monarch Butterfly

The Monarch Butterfly, known to have a seasonal migration from Mexico and the U.S., symbolizes the migration of the Mexican farm workers, like...