Individuality In Bless Me Ultima

Warmack Nathan

Mrs. Fredregill

Accelerated language and literature lll

09 January 2023 The Importance of Individuality

Often society pressures people into ideas or ideas that one may not necessarily believe. Not fitting in or being different is a fear many people today have and will do anything to be "normal" including believing in things they do not agree with. Conforming outwardly is to believe what society tells one but still questioning the idea inside. In Rodolfo Anaya’s " Bless Me Ultima" the main character Antonio feels forced to believe in Catholicism. The pressure from his family and peers to become a priest forces him to conform to their ideas however as he meets people with diverse backgrounds he begins to question inwardly. Antonio’s

Antonio conforms to his mother’s ideas throughout the book to please her however still questions these ideas. On Antonio’s first day of school his mother sets expectations for Antonio to follow putting the pressure to not disappoint his family on him. " You are to bring honor to your family" my mother cautioned. " Do nothing that will bring disrespect on our family’s good name". " I looked at ultima. Her magic. The magic of Jason’s Indian. They could not save me now"(Anaya 53-54). Antonio’s mothers’ words weigh down on him as Antonio is expected to create this false narrative of himself to bring honor to his family’s name. Antonio feels pressured to live up to what his mother wants him to be and conforms to her expectations, despite what he feels or thinks. Often time family is a major reason on why people suppress their true feelings in fear of disappointing the ones “closest” to them. Antonio loses a part of his identity as he begins to change into this version his mother wants him to be. Ultima is a figure he feels comfortable with, where he is most true to himself, however his mothers’ expectations make him feel as though not even ultima can comfort him. People like ultima who comfort and create a safe space are important to

Throughout the book he battles with his religion and tries to appeal to Catholicism and the church to please not only his mother but his peers. After being evaluated for their faith by their priest the boys at Sunday school decide to let Antonio play the role of the priest and practice confession, where Florence is harassed as Antonio watched However, in the end of the book he finally stands up for himself against the others. “I am the priest” I shouted back. And I have absolved him of his sins!” I was facing the angry kids and I could see that their hunger for vengeance was directed at me, but I did not care, I felt relieved. I had stood my ground for what I felt to be right, and I was not afraid.” (Anaya 214). Time after time Antonio gave into others and tried to please everyone else but himself. Once Antonio was able to stop listening to what others told him he was able to be true to his beliefs and stand up for himself. Providing him some relief and clarity he long had not felt. Antonio’s true character was finally showing as he was true to himself despite the others telling him to harm Florence. When Antonio was finally able to ignore the others, he was able to be true to