The significance of Ernesto Galarza's memoir taking place in California in the story is that the story tells of a Mexican boy beginning school without knowing the language or culture of the place.
The boy was an immigrant who has not inkling of what he will face as he begins his life journey in California.
Declaration or a statement of facts and beliefs
Answers (with explanation):
Marriage: Union (A deep merging of two minds).
Time's fool: Subject to the whims of change (Time is constantly bringing change, and to be a fool of someone or something is to let that person or thing control you).
Bending sickle's compass: In its range of impact (A sickle is the symbolic weapon of death, and if you are "within its compass", it means that death is near).
Edge of doom: Infinity (Doomsday is supposed to happen at the end of time, making this a way of saying "forever" or "indefinitely").