Gary Soto's short story "Broken Chain" is about a young boy's attempts to impress a girl he likes. The protagonist, Alfonso would clean himself up, making himself more presentable and cleaner than usual, even trying to change his crooked teeth. All these for the girl Sandra's attention. The story is full of an individual trying to appear like other people, making sure he does not appear inferior. The theme of appearance and reality is the main issue it this story and it is rightly seen through the character of Alfonso.
