Cajas de Carton

Because this is a tale about childhood, there are a number of moments in which childhood naivete creates a sense of dissonance or confusion between the scene unfolding and the perception and reflections of Jimenez. As such, Jimenez's naivete is a significant theme, in that his ambitions or perceptions are in conflict with the needs of his family, his responsibilities, or the realities of life.

Though this theme occurs throughout the book, it is most obvious in two moments: in "Soledad," when Jimenez contradicts the instructions of his parents in the desire to help his family; and in "Christmas Gift," when Jimenez sees the grief that poverty causes his mother, but cannot fully understand her tears. In "Soledad," Jimenez neglects his baby brother, Trampita, to teach himself how to pick cotton, in the hope that he will prove to his family that he can join them in the fields so he won't be left alone all day. This ultimately causes more harm than good when Jimenez cuts his hands on the sharp cotton stems and Trampita is left hot, soiled, and thirsty in the car. Jimenez's lack of understanding about the reason for his loneliness causes him to act against his parents' wishes and demonstrates his disconnect from the harsh reality of his childhood.