Cultural Conflicts In Bless Me, Ultima By Rudolfo Anaya

One topic the book “Bless Me Ultima” by Rudolfo Anaya talks about is the loss of childhood innocence. Antonio being so young hasn't had many encounters with problems in the world. Children are considered pure because of this. The book takes place in New Mexico, in the 1940’s. The story is based off Antonio Marez.

Once we accept our limits, we go beyond them. In life we accept challenges and once we accept those challenges we can continue to grow. In the novel, “Bless me Ultima” written by Rudolfo Anaya; Antonio, is a seven year old boy who went through many twist and turns with a keenly questioning mind, a great deal of moral curiosity, and a solemn appreciation for the seriousness of life. I compare myself to Antonio do to the fact that we both were engaged with knowing destiny, learning to get over our fears, and learning to accept life and the challenges that came along with it.

Growing up is difficult for everyone. The great novel Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya portrays a perfect example how growing up might be extremely difficult for some. This is depicted by the protagonist of the novel, a boy named Antonio. He experiences what no boy his age should go through. Rudolfo Anaya’s depiction of the hero’s journey throughout the novel is one of the major themes which greatly contribute the foundation of the novel.

The path to one’s destiny is a long painstaking one, and is full of unpredictable events and life-devastating problems. In the stories of Bless Me Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya and Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera, the two characters Antonio and Paikea face these certain events. Antonio wonders about being On their journey to destiny, both Antonio and Paikea have been watched over by spiritual advisors, made sacrifices in life, and struggled with problems at birth. In Bless me Ultima, Antonio’s spiritual adviser is Ultima.

Willey makes a point that the father only refers to the owl as her. The reader now knows the father is projecting his emotions about his wife onto the owl. Willey shows evidence of the father’s projection by describing his “change of voice” and when “he acted like it was funny.” The father draws the parallel because, like the owl, the mother only wants to be seen on her terms and can leave when she wants. The boy continues telling his father the details of the latest encounter and the father interrupts him by repeating, ‘“ Who?

Ultima will always be with him. She knows of Antonio’s struggles. Antonio’s next fight will be within, which religion to choose. Rodolpho Anaya’s tale, Bless Me Ultima, is a tragic tale of one losing their faith. Evident as it is throughout the novel, we witness the deaths of multiple good-hearted people.

Once again, the owl gives Tony confidence and encouragement as he is crossing the bridge, “At the big juniper tree where the hill sloped to the bridge I heard Ultima's owl sing. I took confidence from its song, and wiping the tears from my eyes I raced towards the bridge, the link to town. ”(59). The clannish bond between Ultima and Tony connects the comfort from the owl as well. The magical realism that comes from Ultima throughout “Bless Me, Ultima” effects Tony’s childhood and provides learning experiences.

This hints the reader of some connection between the owl and Ultima from their protective natures, especially for Antonio. Antonio rushes to Ultima and discovers her in her dying throes, she says, “When I was a child… I was taught my life's work by a wise old man, a good man. He gave me the owl and he said that the owl was my spirit” (260). This finally gives proof to the reader that Ultima’s spirit was the owl. From this we see how much Ultima was supporting and protecting

At the beginning of book his dreams were about things that were real or things that will happen later in the future. In the book, Ultima’s owl comes up many times throughout the whole story. An owl symbolises wisdom. As Antonio

In the novel, Bless Me Ultima, Rudolfo Anaya uses Antonio, Andrew, Eugene, and Leon to show how when people have the ability to choose, when someone has the ability to choose, sometimes they don’t choose what others want them to choose. Antonio has to choose between religions and also had to choose his future. Andrew had to choose whether to leave with Eugene and Leon, or stay with the family. Eugene and Leon had to choose if they wanted to help their father move west, or start their own life. If people are given a choice, sometimes they will choose a path that others might not agree with, negatively impacting others.

Fascinated By What Is / What Is Not Both Woman Hollering Creek and Other Stories, by Sandra Cisneros and Bless Me, Ultima, by Rudolfo Anaya, render the coming of age theme, one in which a young person experiences a change from childhood to adulthood. These life experiences make one mature. Further, they can make one question faith, love, life or well-being. In the novel, Bless Me, Ultima, the protagonist Antonio’s experiences make him question his faith.

The imagery of the first poem greatly contrasts from the overall tone. In “A Barred Owl,” Richard Wilbur describes an owl frightening a child and waking her from her slumber. Wilbur sets the scene with dark imagery: “The warping night air brought the boom/ Of an owl’s voice into her darkened

Always have the strength to live. Love life, and if despair enters your heart, look for me in the evening when the wind is gentle and the owls sing in the hills. I shall be with you--” (ch. pg. ). Ultima says to Antonio that he must develop his own value system and to define his own identity.

Disagreements brought among two can greatly cause an uncertain effect on those surrounded by them, as well as each other. Innocent minded children are targeted to be easily influenced. That is until that child starts becoming experienced and learns to lead his own path perpetually discovering his autonomy. Gabriel and Maria, a dissimilar couple introduced from Rudolfo Anaya’s “Bless Me, Ultima”, presents a conflicting environment on those having to deal with their differing ideal beliefs. Maria, a Luna, daughter of a farmer, peaceful and quiet like the moon.

Lead In: Cultural conflict in a family can lead to many events that can affect a child’s life. The child may become confused on what life to live or how to live it, especially when their goal is to ultimately make their parents proud. The child will also have a hard time growing up as he or she tries to figure out what path to choose regarding culture. Cultural conflict though, can make a person become stronger and give them a sense of being their own person II. Introduction Paragraph 2 Overview and Background