major conflict As Antonio moves from childhood to adolescence, he tries to reconcile his parents’ and his community’s conflicting cultural traditions; Antonio’s goal is independent thought and action; he strives to make his own moral decisions and to accept responsibility for their consequences.

What conflicts of belief does Antonio have?

Antonio has questions about evil, forgiveness, truth, and the soul, questions he can answer only for himself. Antonio once believed that the Communion ritual would answer all his questions, but Ultima teaches him that he must think for himself and arrive at his own conclusions.

What was the conflict between Gabriel and María concerning Antonio’s future?

María even wants to go to Father Byrnes to discuss Antonio’s future as a priest. Gabriel sharply disagrees, arguing that no one but Antonio should decide whether he becomes a priest. Gabriel’s response reveals his staunch belief that destiny should be determined by one’s own thoughts and actions, not by outsiders or

What are the main themes in Bless Me, Ultima?

Themes
Revenge.Fear.Identity.Men and Masculinity.Fate and Free Will.Memory and the Past.The Supernatural.Coming-of-Age.

Who is the antagonist in Bless Me, Ultima?

Tenorio is the embodiment of evil. He is a man of action who serves as the antagonist against Ultima and Antonio.

How does Ultima influence Antonio?

Ultima acts as Antonio’s mentor and helps him cope with his anxieties and uncertainties. Ultima claims a spiritual connection to Antonio that manifests its power in Chapter 1, when Antonio dreams of Ultima burying his afterbirth to keep his destiny secret from the arguing families of his parents.

Why does Ultima keep the three dolls?

The dolls are a reminder of Ultima’s dangerous and sometimes frightening powers, though a moment later she gives up something of herself to protect Antonio. A scapular is usually associated with a religious order, so this is like Ultima giving Antonio her own protective icon.

What conflicting desires are revealed in Tony’s dream?

Antonio’s ever-growing concern with the contamination of his purity is plainly evident in his dream. He wants to know the path that will allow him to preserve his innocence.

When Gabriel and María argue about Antonio’s future early in Chapter 3 How does Ultima respond?

María says Antonio (she calls him Tony) is still a baby, but Ultima says he will soon be a man. María argues that it is a sin for a boy to grow up, but Gabriel responds all his experiences will build him up into a man.

Why does Antonio’s father not like priests?

Antonio lies in bed and listens to his parents quarrel. Their frequent Sunday morning arguments about religion are a result of Gabriel’s Saturday night drinking. María is a devout Catholic, but Gabriel’s vaquero mindset causes him to distrust priests because to him they stand for order and civilization.

What is one struggle Antonio faces in school?

Antonio struggles with his feelings of hurt and even resentment at his mother for sending him to school, another indication that Antonio is growing away from his childhood dependence on his mother. Coping with these feelings is basically the process of coping with change.

How did Tony lose his innocence?

At the beginning of the novel, Antonio is an innocent boy, protected from reality thanks to his age and parents. The first time Antonio feels the loss of innocence is through the death of Lupito, a mad man shot by a mob for killing the town’s sheriff.

How does Lupito’s murder affect Antonio?

After he witnesses Lupito’s death, Antonio becomes preoccupied with sin, punishment, and the loss of innocence. Antonio’s confrontation with ideas of good and evil manifests itself in his use of religion to try to understand the world.

What are Lupitos last words?

As he crawled out the river and the life left his blood stained body Lupito uttered his two last words to Antonio “Bless Me”.

Why is Tenorio evil?

The antagonist of the novel, Tenorio owns a saloon in El Puerto. It is implied that he practices witchcraft, and his daughters are brujas (witches). When Ultima turns their own curse against them he vows to kill her. He has no moral qualms and seems to thrive on his own hatred.

Why did Ultima accept her death?

She accepts death because she accepted working for life. Antonio is to clean out her room the next day, burn her medicines and herbs, and bury the owl beneath a forked juniper tree. Kneeling, Antonio asks Ultima to bless him.

How does Antonio lose his innocence in Bless Me, Ultima?

In Rudolpho Anaya’s Bless me Ultima, the main character, Antonio, is forced to grow up too quickly losing his innocence through a series of terrible circumstances. Antonio concerns himself with the loss of his innocence because of his own precociousness and his thoughts of a promising future as a priest.

Is Ultima a good person?

Ultima is a practical and helpful person. She has been a midwife, she is a healer, and she helps María with daily chores around the house.

How does Antonio feel about Ultima?

During this happy time, Antonio grows to love both the llano and the river. Antonio realizes that Ultima is happiest when she is out on the llano, and her happiness helps him to realize that he too is a part of the llano and a part of nature.