Bless Me Ultima The Hero's Journey Analysis

The hero’s journey is a common theme in many mythological novels that convey the adventures the protagonist experiences as they resolve their conflicts in attempt to become their own savior. As the novels go about the hero’s decisive crisis and victories, the protagonist is often subjected to develop as he grows mentally from learning from his problems. In the novel, Bless Me, Ultima, by Rudolfo Anaya, the story of Antonio exhibits how coming of age can be difficult. As Antonio grows older, he learns that there are many obstacles he must face and surpass, and to aid him with these challenges is his mentor, the curandera, as she brings about the mythical aspects. Anaya’s story of the hero’s journey tells of Antonio growing up, and how he handles the many difficult

The forced manhood results in an immediate loss of innocence. Considering innocence is usually associated with youth, his struggle with aging renders him feeling hopeless at times as if he has no one to turn to apart from Ultima, the curandera. For example, after Antonio witnesses the death of Lupito and runs home, Anaya states, “I felt dizzy, and very weary and six,. I ran the last of the way and slipped quietly into the house. I groped for the stair railing in the dark and felt a warm hand take mine. Startled, I looked up into Ultima’s brown, wrinkled face (Anaya 24).” The loss of innocence ties in with the mythical aspects of the novel because when Antonio feels saddened by an event that will eventually reflect on him, he turns to Ultima as a saving grace to treat him and make him feel better. The loss of innocence is an important theme in the novel considering it is a major issue that Antonio has to face upon aging, and Ultima acting as the supernatural force brings light to the hard-to-face