Bless Me Ultima

Mrs. Smith

English I

2 February 2016

Bless Me Ultima

In the novel Bless Me Ultima, by Ruldolfo Anaya, Antonio’s fate is tried to be changed according to what his parents want him to be. Both of his oarents are anxious to know his fate and they want to influence Antonio in hopes that his fate will unravel to be what they desire. Though both sides of Antonio’s family attempts to influence him, but only Ultima will truly know what his fate will unravel to be. Both of his parents want to carry the family tradition of their side through Tony. Maria and Gabriel want Antonio to grow up to either be a farmer or a cowboy and live the way that their lifestyle is. Both of his parents have different desires for his life. In wanting different things for him they influence Antonio to follow their ways of living and carry on the tradition.

The Lunas and the Marezes both have different lifestyles yet are dependent on each other or a calming control. The Lunas contain blood that is slow paced and settled. “It is blood of the Lunas to be quiet, for only a quiet man can learn the secrets of the earth that are necessary of planting” (41). The Lunas are calm settled farmers that make no dramatic changes. Maria wants Tony to settle down and be a farmer or a Priest. “There is your life he said, and he pointed to the llano” (54). The Marez family are raised as wild cowboys whom roam the llano. Gabriel wants his son to go out, adventure, be free, and live one with the llano. Both families have different desires for little Antonio.

Both Gabriel and Maria desire different things for Tony. Maria desires Tony to be as her family is, a priest or farmer. “You will be a Luna, Antonio. You will be a man of the people, and perhaps a priest." Maria desires Tony to be two things, a priest and/or a farmer. She wants her family tradition to be carried on through him. Thinking that this is best for Tony and his future. She will attempt to persuade him into the living of the Lunas. Gabriel wants Tony to never settle down to be wild just like his blood within. “The same wandering blood in his veins was in his sons. The restlessness of his blood…”(67)