Baseball in April and Other Stories Setting & Symbolism

Baseball in April and Other Stories Objects/Places

Alfonso's Broken Chain appears in Broken Chain

In Broken Chain, Alfonso cleans his bike in preparation for a trip with Sandra, the young girl that he has a crush on. While cleaning, Alfonso takes off the bike chain. He plans to degrease it, lubricate it, and put it back on. Unfortunately, he breaks the chain. Angry, he throws the broken chain down and it not only breaks again but also bounces up and cuts his hand. The chain is symbolic of Alfonso's relationship with his brother Ernie and the strains placed on that relationship by Ernie's not having a girlfriend while Alfonso has prospects.

Hobo Parkappears in Baseball in April

Hobo Park is the neighborhood name for the field where Jesse and Michael's informal baseball team practices and sometimes plays games. Their team takes its name from the park. Their chief rivals, the Red Caps, are named after their matching red baseball caps. Hobo Park proves a fun exercise although they lose all...
(read more)