Analysis Of Bless Me, Ultima By Rudolfo Anaya

Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya, is a complex novel that includes many recurring themes. One theme portrayed throughout the story is the concept of the main characters coming of age, while seeking an understanding of what his future holds. Antonio, the main character, is an adolescent finding his way through the stages of childhood and adulthood. He is the youngest boy in a family that wishes for their children to embrace the life of the church. Antonio experiences family pressures to pursue a certain life in the future, but his constant questioning of ideals he once believed in, and the events that he has lived through provide him with the maturity to choose his own path in life.

Antonio's family has conflicting opinions about what his …show more content…
The loss of innocence is a recurring fear that Antonio encounters. In one of Antonio’s dreams his favorite brother, Andrew, told him that he would not enter a brothel “...until [Antonio] had lost [his] innocence.” (pg 165) So when Antonio stumbled upon his brother at the house of sins the truth hit him like a tidal wave. Antonio thought this meant he was no longer innocent, and he began to view his idol in a different light. However as much as he “...wanted to hate Andrew for being with the bad women....” he could not, the only things he felt were “...tired, and older.” (pg 165). This shows that Antonio no longer feels the gratitude that he once felt for his brother, his attitude has become indifferent. His brothers footsteps are no longer ones he wishes to follow in. As terrible as this event was It forced him to mature and understand that the life he chooses will be one unlike any of his family members. However, what really changed Antonio for good was not the moment he viewed his brother as unfaithful, but the moment that Ultima breathed her last words. When Ultima died she spoke her last words to Antonio, but unlike the other last words he had heard hers were not a burden on his soul. Ultimas last words to Tony were, "I bless you in the name of all that is good and strong and beautiful, Antonio. Always have the …show more content…
The pressures he faced from his family are no longer relevant to the ideas of future that he has conjured up for himself. Having questioned ideals that seemed imperative he was able to uncover his true feelings toward the subject of independent thinking. And after the life changing events that took place, Tony is no longer reliant on others and has come into his own. It has become clear that Antonio is mature enough to take the final steps into choosing his own