I found the novel Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya captivating. It made me reflect on things in a different way. In a way, I could relate to the protagonist, Antonio. Antonio has to decide to either follow his mother's dream of becoming a priest, his father’s dream of being a vaquero, or following his own dreams and finding his own identity.
In Bless Me, Ultima it mentioned a curandera. A curandera is someone who cures with herbs and magic.“It was because Ultima was a curandera, a woman who knew the herbs and remedies of ancients, a miracle-worker who could heal the sick.” (Anaya, 4) The role of a curandera in the pueblo communities of New Mexico is to help anyone with medical issues. Many believed she was a bruja, or a witch. “And because
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It seems to me that he prefers the world and viewpoint of Ultima. She teaches Antonio to make decisions on his own and consider other possibilities. Even though it seems that Antonio prefers the viewpoint of Ultima, some of the dreams of his parents and family appeal to him. His mother's dream of him being a priest makes him feel secure. The things he would do is sit and listen to confessions of the people or preach at the services. “A priest I thought, that was her dream. I was to hold mass on Sundays like father Byrnes did in the church in town. I was to hear the confessions of the silent people of the valley…” (Anaya, 9) His father’s dream of him spending his days roaming the llano on horseback, a vaquero, makes him feel excited. To wander and have freedom. “Gabriel, they shouted, you have a fine son! He will make a fine Vaquero!” (Anaya, 5) Ultima’s viewpoint makes him feel curious. Ultima way of living really appeals to Antonio and open his mind.Ultima viewpoint was very dominant in his eyes. I honestly believed that Antonio was to be the next curandera. “And if people say you walk in the footsteps of a curandera, will you be ashamed?” “No I will be proud, Ultima,” I said emphatically.” (Anaya, …show more content…
Antonio grew up in a family that only spoke spanish, except for his sisters.When he attends school he must learn english. Antonio is intimidated by the other children and the language. He feels left out because he doesn’t understand what the other children are speaking, but he does understand their hand gestures and facial expressions. “She pointed at me but I did not understand her. Then the other boys and girls laughed and pointed at me. I did not feel so good. Thereafter I kept away from the groups as much as I could and worked alone” (Anaya,