Criticism, the art of judging with knowledge, consists of specific tasks in which one must take in account certain elements as they differentiate a fine work of writing, opposed to a superfluous piece of work. Rudolfo Anaya, the author of Bless Me Ultima, presents important elements such as the use of symbolism, dealing with internal struggles, and the use of characterization. .
Conflict plays a big role in this novel, especially within the protagonist, Antonio. Not only does Anaya present the conflict, but he also shows how Antonio deals with them becoming part of his maturity. From the very beginning of the story, Antonio struggles with the idea of his parents choosing his destiny for him. Only later on in the novel, Antonio becomes old enough to decide on his own destiny. I enjoyed seeing Antonio develop from a little, innocent boy into a smarter, more aware young man. .
The frequent use of symbolism keeps me, the reader, pondering as well as interested in the book. A major symbol in Bless Me Ultima is Ultima's owl. This owl supposedly protects Antonio from all the dangers of the world. Irony becomes present during the event of the owl's death. Supposedly this owl has magic powers to heal and protect, yet it can not stop death from happening. This type of symbolism and irony made me reflect on how real life events happen all the time while nothing can be done to stop it. .
Antonio and Ultima are seen as the two main characters in this novel. I found it interesting how in the beginning of the novel Ultima begins to protect Antonio. Yet, his innocence is violated when Antonio witnesses the murder of Lupito. I enjoyed the change in Antonio's character as he began to wonder about more adult-like topics such as death, or sin. Even though Ultima supposedly protects Antonio from all evils of the world, it lies in Antonio's destiny to be educated of the bad as well as the good.
Advanced use of characterization, symbolism, and internal conflict makes Anaya's story well told as well as didactic.
BLESS ME, ULTIMA Writing Assignment Life is filled with journeys. ... In Bless Me, Ultima, Antonio goes through a life changing journey. ... My heart was pounding, my lungs burned, and in my side there was a continuous stabbing pain" (Pg. 243, Bless Me, Ultima). ...
Decisions From The Heart In Rudolfo Anaya's novel Bless Me Ultima, the main character, Tony, is torn between his mother's wish for him to become a priest and his father's wish for him to be a vaquero. ... "I bless you in the name of all that is good and strong and beautiful, Antonio. ... Love life, and if despair enters your heart, look for me in the evenings when the wind is gentle and the owls sing in the hills. ... Ultima's final blessing to Antonio in chapter 22 clarifies bless me, ultima's moral standpoint. ...
"Bless Me, Ultima": the elements of humor When misfortunes happen to other people, the results are laughter. When innocent people are made fun of for other people's entertainment, people laugh. Comedy has everything to do with timing. The scene of the school play in "Bless Me, Ultima", is funn...
"Bless Me Ultima" In the book "Bless Me Ultima", by Rudolpho Anaya, there were two families represented, the Marez family and the Lunas family. These two families were very different, but were brought together by the marriage of Gabriel Marez and Maria Lunas. Through the eyes of their son Antonio ...
The book, "Bless me, Ultima", by Rudolfo Anaya, has been described as part of the magical realism genre in literature. ... In "Bless me, Ultima", we can find evidences that support this definition, for example, Ultima's magical powers as a curandera, her ability to manipulate the forces of good and evil through the casting of spells and the lifting of curses, and Antonio's dreams that enable him to see the past and predict future events. ... "Bless Me, Ultima" is a great inquiry into human spirituality and man's place in the universe and it is illustrated in young Antonio, ...
In the novel Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya the character Ultima represents good through her healing, her fight against evil, and her teaching and guidance. Ultima displays her act of goodness when she cures Maria's youngest brother, Lucus Luna. "and finally Lucus had been cured." Ultima cures...
Bless Me Ultima Bless Me Ultima, a book by Rudolfo A. Anaya, is about a young boy named Antonio who comes of age through troubling ordeals throughout the book. He is aided in this journey by a curandera named Ultima, who teaches Tony many life lessons. Anaya uses animals to symbolize intangible at...
