The Hero's Journey In Bless Me, Ultima By Rudolfo Anaya

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 an 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 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

The culture hero then undertakes a series of adventures, quests, and/or tests during which he may slay monsters or search for something of value (Underberg et al.).” In addition to the quote, as Antonio ventures into “becoming a man,” when he is not yet seven, he is faced with more adult problems that a child normally would not be compelled to deal with. Since these adult situations are harsh ones that are difficult to overcome, they deteriorate his childlike mentality. Given that childhood is not based around seeing a man being hunted or being forced into manhood, it is safe to say that Antonio lost his innocence at quite a young age seeing as the story occurs during the time when he is six. Antonio says, when he starts dreaming of the naked women, “had I already lost my innocence? How? I had seen Lupito murdered… I had seen Ultima’s cure… I had seen the men come to hang her… I had seen the awful fight just now (Anaya 165)…” Antonio admits that he cannot tell if he is still clinging on to his innocence or if it has already diminished. He believes that Ultima’s cure may have saved him from losing it, but seems to wonder if the awful things he has witnessed is too much to bare, even with the curse. Antonio was expected so much of, by the age of six, he is already

Victories vary upon whom the victor is. Not everyone believes that victories share the same depth. To some people, some victories are greater than others, so it is difficult to understand what a victory is to Antonio, especially at the tender age of six. For example, Antonio’s father may not be considered a victor to many people; he is a drunk, he is not religious, his pride is based upon ‘being a man.’ However, Antonio’s father can be the only true judge of whether he is victorious or not. In the novel, Antonio says, in reference to his father, “He would rage against the town on the opposite side of the river which drained a man of his freedom, and he would cry because the war had ruined his dream. It was very sad to see my father cry, but I understood it, because sometimes a man has to cry. Even if he is a man (Anaya 15).” For the most part, people do not take into consideration how difficult it must be to maintain such a strong personality. His father was sought out to be a tough person; he was supposed to be ‘a man’ being a vaquero. Additionally, the analysis of Bless Me, Ultima in “Mythic Visions of the Borderland: Rudolfo Anaya’s Bless Me, Ultima” writes, “By integrating myths and legends into his narrative he aims to revive the collective unconscious of the