When you are young you are taught what is generally right or wrong. You are not given a chance to choose what you believe in since you are only a baby, and can not fully comprehend the concept of things such as religion. Once you are old enough you are exposed to the variety of cultures that may fascinate you, and will help influence how you think. The majority of individuals tend to follow their own beliefs when they are well into their adult life, since they were taught to believe what their parents believed in. In Bless Me, Ultima, by Rudolfo Anaya, Antonio a young Catholic is left to question his beliefs when a curandera named Ultima exposes him to her own beliefs. Thus introducing Antonio to Ultimas paganistic ways which is causing him to not only explore more of his beliefs, but Antonio is discovering many ideas that go against the Catholic religion. This causes him to not only question his beliefs but to explore other cultures as well as determine which religious ideas he decides to pursue.
The presence of Ultima has a positive effect on Antonio,
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Antonio knows plenty about being a Catholic, but since Ultima shows him, that he does not have to follow in his mothers religious steps if he does not wish too. He is learning that having beliefs based on his morality is acceptable. For example, when Antonio’s mother is praying he can not help but admire the Virgin Mary. Antonio believes that a female goddess is more greater than a male god. “God was not always forgiving. He made laws to follow and if you broke them you were punished. The Virgin always forgave. God had power. He spoke and the thunder echoed through the skies. The Virgin was full of a quiet, peaceful love”(44). He explains how God used fear while the Virgin used love, which is very noble. With the help of Ultima, Antonio is learning how to explore new