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. . .
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La Llorona, the Weeping Woman.
ReplyDelete(brief article from the National Endowment for the Arts Reader's Guide for the book)
The origin of the legen of La Llorona (the Weeping Woman) has been part of Southwestern culture since the days of the conquistadors. Tales vary, but all report that this beautiful, frightening spirit--with long black hair and a white gown--belongs to a cursed mother searching rivers and lakes for her children, whom she has drowned. Parents have used this story to teach their children, telling them the merciless La Llorona would drag them to a watery grave if they stay out late at night. In Bless Me, Ultima, Antonio has a terrible nightmare: "It is La Lloronoa, my brothers cried in fear, the old witch who cries along the river banks and seeks the blood of boys and men to drink!"