“It is because good is always stronger than evil” (Anaya). The author of Bless Me, Ultima, Roberto Anaya was born October 30, 1937, in Pasturas, New Mexico. The first book this American author wrote was Bless Me, Ultima. “In 2015, he was awarded a National Humanities Medal by President Barack Obama” (Rudolfo A. Anaya). He specializes in Chicano Literature, but the novel includes mystery, drama, and tragedy. The work is essential as Chicano literature because it explains, explores, and exposes people to the Chicano culture. Antonio’s exposure to different people’s beliefs creates a religious doubt/conflict. Antonio (Tony) is a seven-year-old boy lives with his family; his father Gabriel Marez, mom Maria Luna, and his two sisters Theresa and …show more content…
According to the dictionary, a Chicano is a person of Mexican origin or descent. In Bless Me, Ultima Chicano culture can be seen through the traditions, expectations, and beliefs of Antonio’s family. For example, his mom is very serious about the Catholic religion and expects the whole family to be apart of it. Another example is the language that is spoken at home by the family is mainly in Spanish which is also the language spoken in Mexico. Lastly, is the importance of family. When uncle Lucas was ill, the Luna family did everything possible to save him from an unfair death. There is no right way to be a Chicano, but there are certain expectations a Chicano must follow. The two main characters throughout the book are Antonio and Ultima (Grande). As a seven-year-old boy, Antonio is respectful, curious, and brave. He is mainly brave because he goes through the tragedy of witnessing a murder, bullying at school, and stress from deciding between his parents' different wishes for him he tries to stay true to himself. The curiosity comes from Ultima’s mystery curing abilities. For example, the only people in the room with the ill uncle Lucas were Ultima and Antonio. He was the only person who observed Ultima performing the ‘miracle’ cure of his uncle Lucas, and he was