Loss of innocence is the passageway into becoming an adult. There is innocence in all humans, and some lose it sooner than others. Antonio and Gene lose their innocence throughout the duration of Bless, Me Ultima and A Separate Peace. Antonio struggles with his loss of identity, religion and his loss of innocence. Gene has problems with envy and a guilt free conscience. Rudolfo Anaya and John Knowles suggest that human nature is growing up and leaving innocence behind. The two boys experience loss, in turn, making them lose their innocence.
Antonio's character in Bless Me, Ultima is ridden with obstacles in his life; he struggles with his religion that make him wonder if he his losing his identity. Antonio has a deeper understanding of Pagan …show more content…
“If the golden carp was a god, who was the man on the cross? The Virgin? Was my mother praying to the wrong God?” (Anaya 81). Growing up, Antonio learns that he is supposed to be monotheistic. When he learns about the Golden Carp, he is tasting the forbidden fruit that is polytheism. Antonio feels like his whole world is crashing down on him because he is turning his back on the church, his family, and his beliefs. Antonio witnessing the death of Lupito causes another rift in the mind of the young boy. Olmos suggests, "Despite attempts to sway the group, the men kill Lupito and thereby rouse Antonio's first doubts of conscience. Issues of right and wrong, guilt and innocence, the concept of God and justice are thoughts that assail his young, impressionable mind". Antonio's mind is easy to sway because of his age. Although being bright for his age, Antonio is still a child that is learning from everyone in his surroundings. Olmos writes, "As in most novels of the coming-of-age genre, a significant element of the young narrator's development is his or her relationship with peers. School and a social network form a crucial component of the type of knowledge a young child will require to survive and flourish beyond the family orbit. Antonio is successful at making friends who introduce him to a …show more content…
"There is an obvious pattern of Greek allusions in A Separate Peace. At one important point Phineas is described as “Greek inspired and Olympian.” He is athletic and beautiful, blazing with “sunburned health.” He walks before Gene in a “continuous flowing balance” that acknowledges an “unemphatic unity of strength'" (Mengeling). Gene is reserved, and he doesn't like to make a big deal out of situations. Phineas is outgoing and adventurous, and that is everything that Gene isn't. Gene hates knowing that Phineas is the better athlete and that he is confident. Knowles states, “No one but Phineas could think up such a crazy idea. He of course saw nothing the slightest bit intimidating about it” (14). Gene is envious because he can’t be fearless like Finny is. Phineas likes to make Gene face his fears. An example is when Finny forces Gene to jump off the branch when he hesitates. Gene states that Phineas could get away with anything he wants. He is wondering why Phineas is so special that he can get away with it. Knowles writes, "It was hypnotism. I was beginning to see that Phineas could get away with anything. I couldn't help envying him..." (25). Gene watches Phineas talk his way out of getting into trouble, and he wishes he could do the same. This slight altercation starts the evil thoughts that plague the mind of Gene. Gene is now overthinking everything that Phineas does as an attack on him. Gene wants Phineas to
Antonio's character in Bless Me, Ultima is ridden with obstacles in his life; he struggles with his religion that make him wonder if he his losing his identity. Antonio has a deeper understanding of Pagan …show more content…
“If the golden carp was a god, who was the man on the cross? The Virgin? Was my mother praying to the wrong God?” (Anaya 81). Growing up, Antonio learns that he is supposed to be monotheistic. When he learns about the Golden Carp, he is tasting the forbidden fruit that is polytheism. Antonio feels like his whole world is crashing down on him because he is turning his back on the church, his family, and his beliefs. Antonio witnessing the death of Lupito causes another rift in the mind of the young boy. Olmos suggests, "Despite attempts to sway the group, the men kill Lupito and thereby rouse Antonio's first doubts of conscience. Issues of right and wrong, guilt and innocence, the concept of God and justice are thoughts that assail his young, impressionable mind". Antonio's mind is easy to sway because of his age. Although being bright for his age, Antonio is still a child that is learning from everyone in his surroundings. Olmos writes, "As in most novels of the coming-of-age genre, a significant element of the young narrator's development is his or her relationship with peers. School and a social network form a crucial component of the type of knowledge a young child will require to survive and flourish beyond the family orbit. Antonio is successful at making friends who introduce him to a …show more content…
"There is an obvious pattern of Greek allusions in A Separate Peace. At one important point Phineas is described as “Greek inspired and Olympian.” He is athletic and beautiful, blazing with “sunburned health.” He walks before Gene in a “continuous flowing balance” that acknowledges an “unemphatic unity of strength'" (Mengeling). Gene is reserved, and he doesn't like to make a big deal out of situations. Phineas is outgoing and adventurous, and that is everything that Gene isn't. Gene hates knowing that Phineas is the better athlete and that he is confident. Knowles states, “No one but Phineas could think up such a crazy idea. He of course saw nothing the slightest bit intimidating about it” (14). Gene is envious because he can’t be fearless like Finny is. Phineas likes to make Gene face his fears. An example is when Finny forces Gene to jump off the branch when he hesitates. Gene states that Phineas could get away with anything he wants. He is wondering why Phineas is so special that he can get away with it. Knowles writes, "It was hypnotism. I was beginning to see that Phineas could get away with anything. I couldn't help envying him..." (25). Gene watches Phineas talk his way out of getting into trouble, and he wishes he could do the same. This slight altercation starts the evil thoughts that plague the mind of Gene. Gene is now overthinking everything that Phineas does as an attack on him. Gene wants Phineas to