Bless Me Ultima

There are many themes in the story Bless Me Ultima, many views, many interpretations that can be drawn from the text. What the story ultimately comes down to is what was on Rudolfo Anaya’s mind at the time of writing the book. The aspect that draws most interest is what aspect of Anaya’s own personal life was he drawing attention to. And the answer to that question is that he was spiritually torn at the time of writing this story. The first theme that draws religious significance is of the three deaths. Antonio (Tony) Marez is a small boy, at the young age of six. He faces many difficult challenges that he must overcome using his wits and his faith as the story progresses. Of the many themes that can be drawn from this book, a few stand out as most important to the future of Tony. The most important events Tony faces in the story are the three un-natural deaths he witnesses. The deaths are used as symbols in their story. The way each death occurred and the reactions all symbolize Tony’s ongoing maturity as the story progresses. The first of these deaths is the killing of Lupito. Lupito is described as a man who is mentally unbalanced after returning from the war. As the commotion starts, Chavez tells us that his bro

Ultima"tms ultimate significance to the story is that she teaches Tony that maybe the reason some answers are so hard to find is because maybe there is more than one answer out there. He was beginning to question his own catholic faith and starting to think of other possible answers to the cosmic questions that surround an all powerful presence. The story never comes right out and says this, but such a thing can be taken by the way Narciso"tms link with the earth is described. Tony knows and respects this man, and is forced to have to mourn along with bearing the weight of Narciso"tms soul on his shoulders. Tony again, like the death of Lupito, became mindful of the soul. We go from a man Tony did not know, Lupito, to a man Tony knew informally and respected, Narciso, to a boy Tony was fairly close friends with, Florence. Tony looks to her for spiritual advice and counsel. Rudolfo Anaya was obviously trying to accomplish something in his writing. The next death happens much later in the story. Each time he is more mindful of the soul, he has more questions, and he realizes upon the next death that he has done all he could to help save the souls of the lost. Tony had become almost a spiritual mentor to Florence, who did not believe in anything. I feel that Rudolfo Anaya, at the time he wrote this book, was very spiritually torn. Tenorio, the father of the three witches, one of whom has died, has threatened Ultima"tms life. She is obviously a very wise woman, but as the story progresses, we begin to see another person. Lupito falls over dead after being shot many times.