El libro entero

Okay guys, so maybe I'm the only slow one who is just now finishing the book.  Sorry to make you all wait so long to hear my thoughts on the book as a whole.

Right now the biggest theme that stands out to me is that of religion; I'll post on other topics later, but I'd love to get some other perspectives on Antonio's struggles to rectify the various belief systems that he encounters.  I agonized with him as he brewed over the questions of which magic, which power was legitimate. Should he pray to la Virgen or to God?  Is the magic carp the real god?  How can a good God let good people die? Why did the priests seem powerless against the evil spirits?

The stuffiness and ritualism of the Catholic church stand out to me.  Anaya seems to voice some of his own criticisms of the Catholic church via Florence.  How old is Florence anyway?  Nine or ten years old?  Did it occur to anyone else that this kid is too young to be forming such advanced theological opinions?  Florence rejects what he knows as a power-weilding, compassionless God.  Sadly, critics of the Catholic and the Protestant church often hold this view of God as a hands-off, unforgiving bully. What do you think of Antonio's final decision about his belief in God?  What does Antonio believe about organized religion? What did you think of the hypocrisy of the children's beating of Antonio before entering the church for ceremonial confession?

What do you make of Antonio's final synthesis of everything that has happened to him over the course of the book?  At the book's close, is he ready to embrace life as a man? Will Antonio create his own "just be good and care about people and embrace beauty" religion?  In his last moments with her, Última becomes Antonio's priest.  She has been his real spiritual mentor and role model all along.  He heeds her advice; he follows her instructions; she watches over him; and she allows him space to grow and discover what he believes.  Given the choice between Última and the town priest, I think I would want la curandera as my spiritual advisor.

Thoughts?

Capítulos Nueve a Doce

Wow! So many exciting things happened in these last couple chapters that I read! I think I'm going to try to finish the book this next week since it seems like most of you have already finished.  Also, to make things more exciting, I'm going to write the remainder of this post in Spanish, even though I read chapters 9 through 12 in English.  Makes sense, right?

Bueno, al príncipio de capítulo 9 Antonio tiene un sueño profético acerca de las acciones de sus hermanos. Su entrada en la casa de Rosie indica su infidelidad a los morales de sus padres y también a la familia.  Me interesaba la manera en que Andrés/Andrew decidía permanecerse hasta que Antonio perdiera su inocencia. Andrés da buen consejo a Antonio acerca de su papel en la familia. Indica que Antonio sería la última esperanza para el cumplimiento de los sueños de sus padres.  Le dice que la guerra los hizo hombres con demasiado rápidez y "No crezcas muy rápido." ¿Qué piensaís vosotros acerca de ese concepto de crecer demasiado rápido?  ¿Crees que te haya pasado por alguna razon?  A mí, no me ha pasado. Todo el contrario, de hecho. Pero yo he sido bendicido. No he sufrido mucho en mi vida, gracias a Dios.

Y ¿qué piensas de la cura del tío Lucas?  ¿Sería posible que el papel de Antonio fue critical para la cura?  ¿Es que Última quería enseñarle como hacer los remedios naturales?  ¿Cómo puede ser que el tío Lucas había caído tan enfermo?  ¿Crees que realmente fueron brujas que le maldijeron? ¿Qué pensaste acerca del remedio con queroseno?  Eso no me pareció sano.  Ya vemos señales de la magia y la poder de Última. ¿Quién era ese hombre volador quien le dio su poder?  Todavía hay dudas por la comunidad acerca de Última. La gente no sabe si ella es bruja o buena.

Antonio mismo empieza dudar cuál tipo de poder es lo mejor. Se pregunta porque Dios y los sacerdotes no pudieran sanar a Lucas, pero Última si pudo. Más, Antonio aprende la historia de la carpa dorada. Samuel y Cico dicen que era y es un dios. Antonio dice que no cree, pero al ver el tamaño de la carpa dorada y escuchar los cuentos de Cico, no sabe que pensar. No sabe en que creer: la Virgen, Dios, la carpa dorada, o la magia de Última. ¿Qué piensas tú?  ¿Qué cree Rudolfo Anaya?  ¿Qué mensaje está transmitiendo acerca de la fe y la magia?  Me gustó la última parte de capítulo doce. Dice: "Me agaché y recogí del suelo los alfileres que habían estado clavados en el umbral de la puerta. Nunca sabría si alguien había roto la cruz, o si se había caído sola."  Deja un poquito de misterio sobre Última y si ella realmente tiene conecciones con fuerzas malas.

Sigo leyendo . . .

First Post

This is my first post. I am really enjoying the book. I agree in other blogs about Antonios view on God. I strongly think it is due to his back ground. I will be intrested in seeing how it plays out as the book goes on. I think the book does a great job a giving very vivid details about the first day of school. I am excited to read this book, i belive that the relationship with Ultima will be more vivid as the story unfolds.
~Kristen Davis~

Capítulos Seis a Ocho

I agree with you, Becca, about seeing where the story goes from here. I've slowed down my reading of the book a little bit, so that I wouldn't be posting about the earlier chapters with knowledge of the later chapters in my head.  Anyway, here are my comments on chapters six through eight.

I found chapter six to be an absolutely heart-wrenching account of Antonio's first day of school. I could envision the stampede of children entering the school, and I just love Antonio's brave cry of resolution that he shouts before charging into the school himself.  He is trying so hard to be a man for his parents.  I can't imagine the traumatizing effect that the laughs of the other children had on him, not to mention the bewilderment of navigating the school system for the first time with a language barrier.  I could sympathize with Antonio's eating lunch behind the school.  Antonio comments that he now understands what the adults meant when they talk about la tristeza de la vida, and for a seven-year-old, he probably was experiencing the most depressing circumstance of his life so far.  The only other thing that might have rivaled this sadness could have been his brothers' departure for war.

Speaking of his brothers, I was excited to see how the family dynamic would be affected by the return of the brothers to the home.  I've been silently cheering for the family since the book began, and sometimes hearing how María and Gabriel bicker makes me wonder how they could have ever gotten together in the first place. I read about the return of the Andrés, León, and Eugenio (Andrew, León, and Gene) anticipating that they might restore some cohesion to the family.  However, as chapter eight reveals, they don't seem to be too concerned with hanging out with the family.

Interestingly, the older brothers seem to struggle with the same familial expectations that Antonio faces.  As they discuss moving away, Andrés asks, "Y, ¿qué hay con nuestros padres?" or "What about Mom and Dad?" which invokes a few moments of silence from the other León and Eugenio.  They finally console themselves claiming that Tony would fulfill their dreams by becoming a priest and that they were grown men now anyway.  Can anyone identify with these sons?  Do you feel pressured by your parents or other family members to fulfill certain roles?  Do one or both of your parents have dreams for your career that you do not share?  I know that my mom used to want me to be a nurse.  I have a profound respect for anyone in the medical profession, but unfortunately I'm really squeamish, and I know that I would not enjoy working in that field.  I think my mom is okay with that.

How do you perceive the homecoming of Antonio's brothers?  What do you think of their moral character?  What do you make of Antonio's multiple references to his brothers as gigantes?  Why is this metaphor applicable to his brothers physically, spiritually, relationally, professionally, or otherwise?  What do you think of the mention that León sometimes cries like a wild animal, like Lupito?

My first blog

I have just recently found the time to really get into the book and I really like it. I see Antonio as a very young man who is years ahead of his time. He thinks and considers things that most children would not be mindful of. He has already witnessed the death of a man, and is under a great deal of pressure from his mother to become a priest. This could take its toll on such a young boy, but I believe that Ultima will help Antonio find the right path.
In reference to the last blog that was posted I do believe that Antonio has misconceptions about God, because of the way he has been raised. I know people, in my own life, who have similar misconceptions of God, seeing Him as a harsh austere God who is eager to punish every sin, and I wonder if their upbringing is not to fault.
I am eager to read on and see what has happened now that his brothers have returned and he has began school. I am also waiting to see what else unfolds in his unique relationship with Ultima.

Chapters 3-5

Thanks for your comments, Kelsey. Here are my thoughts about chapters 3-5.
I wonder how Antonio was influenced by his mother’s comment that it was a sin that a boy should grow and become a man. Will this cause him any kind of fear about growing up? Parents have a huge influence on their children’s perceptions of the “adult world” and what it means to be a man or a woman. When you were small, did you have a fear of growing up? What did your parents teach you about the process of maturing?

What is this presencia del río? What does that represent for Antonio? What does it symbolize within the context of the book? What is la presencia really? Does it consist of a sound? Is the presencia Lupito’s lingering spirit? Is it just the ambience and emotion that Antonio senses when he is near the river? In chapter four he mentions that before he was afraid of it, but now he is not. Why?

In chapter four, we see more of Antonio’s perceptions of God and faith as the family is praying to the statue of the Virgin. God is powerful, judging, creating and killing. He is not a forgiving God. María, on the other hand, is sweet, loving, and pure. Antonio trusts the Virgin more than God. His musings about the Virgin reflect typical Catholic beliefs, especially the passion for Mary. I was also interested in Antonio’s thoughts about purgatory as a solitary place and a place of rest in chapter three. Wow.

How do you think Antonio’s parents are influencing his perspective of religion and the church? How do you think Última is and will affect Antonio’s spirituality as the book continues? What role does ritual play in the family spirituality? What do you think of Antonio’s assertion in chapter five that his grandfather’s furrowed brow is what he envisions God looks like when he is angry? How does that reflect Antonio’s perception of his grandfather and what does that say about Antonio’s feelings toward God?

I like how the names in this book seem to take on a special significance or indicate facets of the character’s personalities. For example: Prudencio, Caballo, Huesos, Kid Vitamina, los Márez, los Luna, and María. María’s name obviously reflects her religiosity and firm-held Catholicism. Prudencio’s name indicates his good sense and wisdom as patriarch of the family. The boys of the gang—Horse, Bones, and Kid Vitamin—have great nicknames that reflect their rough and tumble nature, and I like how Última describes the matching family characteristics for the Márez and the Lunas. The Márez are loud and wild like the seas while the Lunas are gentle and quiet like the moon. What do you think is the significance of Última’s name as a curandera and mentor for Antonio?

P.S. I started a list on the side bar of words in Spanish that I am learning as I read the book in Spanish. Feel free to add to it. I think the rest of you should have access to edit that part.

It does not surprise me one bit that Antonio followed his father to find Lupito. He seems to have an inner side to him that makes him very curious and wants to know what is going on. Plus he is somewhat maturing and he prolly feels that he should be allowed to go with the men to find Lupito. I think his dream is just another way of telling him he will not follow his brothers, but will make his own way through life. I am not even sure that he will follow his mothers dreams. I think he will make his own path.
I was also worried that Antonio was going to be discovered and shot on accident while they were trying to ge to Lupito! He was very lucky!

Capítulo Dos: Introduction to the World of Men

Wow, what a rude awakening for Antonio. Witnessing Lupito's death and evaluating his father's involvement in the events of the night cause Antonio to question what it means to be a man and to "take care of business." There's a huge loss of innocence for Antonio as he witnesses the effects of war, revenge, insanity, and murder all in one night. The worst part is that he feels responsible for Lupito's eternal destiny. How would a seven-year-old typically react to witnessing a man die? Is this going to come back to haunt Antonio later?  Are you surprised that he even snuck out of the house?  I was surprised that he crept away to follow his father and Chavez. I found myself getting nervous that Antonio would be discovered (or shot!) by his dad.  Up to this point I had considered Antonio to be such an timid, mannerly boy that I did not expect him to do something so daring.  Am I the only one who felt that way?

Antonio's night adventure makes me wonder if he might lean toward the adventuresome spirit of the Mares.  True to the paternal side of his family, he pursues the excitement of sneaking out to watch the men as they seek out Lupito. It appears that he supports his father's dream of going west and building a house across the river. Furthermore, Antonio feels he has failed in his role as sacerdote, his mother's desire for his future career. Which side of the family do you think Antonio will ultimately lean toward?  Will he be able to strike an even balance between the lifestyles of the extended family of his mother and father?  My hypothesis is that he will continue to feel caught in between throughout the book and allow outside influences (like Última, Jáson, or others) steer him in a third, somewhat neutral direction.

What do you think Antonio's dream in this chapter means?  He desires to venture across the river, but he is ridiculed by his brothers for it.  It seems to show another perspective of Antonio as an isolated member of the family, with his brothers belittling him as too young to cross the river to go west. Also, in the dream, we are introduced to la Llorona, a Hispanic folkloric character, and la presencia del río. We'll see more of them in the chapters to come. . .

Quick note of clarification.

Hello all,
If you've received an invitation to post, you should be able to log-in with a gmail or OpenID account and post comments. Please let me know if that is not the case.  Happy reading! 

Capítulo Uno

A first chapter of a good book should set the stage for what is to come, and Anaya certainly delivers in Bless Me, Última. He touches on family relationships, cultural traditions, and spirituality.

One of the first motifs that I can sense in just the first chapter is that family relationships (If you’re wondering what a motif is, click here: http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motif).  I will be interested to watch how the family members shape and influence Antonio on his journey. Based on what I’ve read so far, I’m going to guess that they don’t have a very strong direct effect on him. I sense that Antonio feels isolated in his own family. With his brothers at war and his English-speaking sisters muy unidas, Antonio is left to wrestle with life and rectify the opposing aspirations of his parents; Antionio does not yet know if he identifies with his mom or dad more.  Antonio’s vantage point from the attic bedroom accurately symbolizes his psychological distance from the rest of the family.

I predict that the relationship with Última, la curandera, will prove to be an influential one in Antonio’s life, perhaps more so than his relationship with either of his parents. Antonio seems to have some prophet-like qualities because of his immediate connection with Última, and his flashback dream to the day of his birth.  The vision is a clever trick by Anaya that lets readers in on deep-seated tension between the in-laws. The dream shows Última fulfilling the roles of peacemaker and midwife at the birth.  For some reason that role of bringing the baby into the world (and biting off the umbilical cord!  Did I read that right?!) entitle her to determine what happens to the placenta and cord of the infant. This tradition of surrounding the newborn with symbols of the desired future profession and specifically disposing of the placenta and cord may seem nonsensical to readers unfamiliar with the cultural significance. I plan on looking up more information about this. Wow!

Also, Anaya is already showing Antonio to be somewhat spiritual.  His dreams are significant and almost prophetic. His mother’s desire for him to become a priest will certainly affect Antonio’s perspective of church and organized religion. Could this be foreshadowing of Antonio’s future career decisions? 

On a final note, I’ve started reading the book in Spanish, so it will be interesting to see the way the language influences my perception of the book. I look forward to hearing from those who are reading it in English. I hear that the author sprinkles the text with lots of Spanish vocabulary. It seems a fitting reflection of the protagonist’s bilingual community. I imagine that other students of Spanish can appreciate the flexibility and oddity of Spanglish albeit grammatically incorrect. What are your thoughts on the inclusion of Spanish in the text? 

¡Bienvenidos!

Welcome to the online discussion group for the book Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolph Anaya. I'll be posting my thoughts and reactions to the book as I read.  Please feel free to post comments, respond to my questions, and generally put your "two cents" out there for the rest of us!  Anaya is considered the father of Chicano literature, and I'm counting on this modern classic to provide some rich cultural, spiritual, and intellectual material for exploring. Let's get reading!