Antonio Loss Of Innocence Essay

(CL) Antonio comes from a line of farmers on his mother’s side of the family who hold a deep and meaningful connection with the land and nature since it was the source of their livelihoods. Whether or not Antonio will become a man of the land or a priest, his roots will still remain partially planted in nature.

The continuous struggle to find a firm belief resides when Cico, another friend of Antonio's, introduces him to the golden carp. He informs Antonio about the prophecy of a god who transfigured himself in order to guide the people who had once sinned. This further knowledge reveals, “...The roots of everything [he] had ever believed seemed [to be] shaken” (Anaya 81). Antonio was taught that God will always be the only way to the truth. Thus, when the golden carp appears to be an alternative religion, he starts doubting Catholicism, with no concrete answer as, “[He] called again to the God that was within [him], but there was no answer. Only emptiness” (221). In his early childhood, Antonio was sure in his faith as a Catholic; but, by discovering

Ultima helps Antonio with his anxiety and uncertainties throughout the book. After ultima goes to live with the marez family is when Antonio becomes able to be independent and move away from the responsibilities he has in his family. Ultima shows him that he has to think for himself and make his own decisions and conclusions. In the book Ultima tells Antonio “You are growing, and growth is change. Accept the change, make it part of your strength.” This quote from the book shows the relationship between Ultima and Antonio, it also shows her helping Antonio with his uncertainties and telling him to be and stay strong while he is

This sets up the initial conflict for Antonio, he wants to believe in his mother's God, but at the same time he finds conviction and truth in what Samuel is telling him about the golden carp god. Furthermore, while Antonio is supposed to be praying to God he says, "There wasn't time to discover Him, like I could do when I sat on the creek bank and watched the golden carp swim in the sun-filtered waters" (233). I think this shows that Antonio feels a deeper connection to nature and the golden carp than he does to God and traditional values. He is more like Ultima, than like either one of his parents. The golden carp offer Antonio a way of thinking that is free and unstructured, unlike that of Catholicism.

As the novel proceeds, Antonio begins to spend most of his time with Ultima and his friends and less time shielded by the protection and comfort his parents and home have to offer. This time away from home serves as the catalyst to Antonio’s development into a man. The road to adulthood/becoming a man is filled with potholes, broken traffic lights and has no speed limit. In other words, it is everything but easy. On this road you hear things you don't want too , you see things you wish you hadn't, and you experience things you never have before. It must have been the coldest days of the summer

While his brothers are at war, a man named Lupito returned from that same war and Antonio witnesses his insanity drive other men’s hands to kill him. This sparked a turmoil inside of Antonio to question the world, forgiveness, and the grace of his God. As the story goes on Antonio sees more and more deaths like that of Narciso by the hands of Tenorio, it brought about wondering of hell and the sins that condemn a man to go there. Antonio’s classmate tells him about a golden carp who chose to protect his people by swimming with him. The golden carp is symbolic of morality and being one with god, but it contradicts his religion and beliefs. Antonio feels that it is wrong to believe the story because he thinks that he is abandoning his God by even believing in the golden carp because his religion calls for only one god and it is a sin to worship any other

Ultima is the towns “curandera” who is staying with the family and everyone in town thinks she is a bad witch. Antonio seems to adapt to Ultima quite quickly soon after she arrives and starts learning her way. He is seen looking up to her as if she were a mother figure and, at some point, as if she was the Virgin de Guadalupe. Antonio often finds comfort in Ultima and confides in her regarding his faith. Antonio then witnesses Ultima save his uncle when the evil twitches had done some bad witchcraft on him that nearly led him to death. Antonio then begins to see that the God he was raised to believe in is not the only one in power. Ultima comes in to place and teaches Antonio that he doesn’t have to pick one belief, rather he can identify with a little bit of both. Before Ultima’s death in the book, Antonio asks Ultima for her blessing and she is more than happy to do so because she did everything she could have to prepare him mentally to find the real

Antonio’s conflict is that both sides of his family are trying to have influence in the type of person Antonio will grow into.

experiences, result in the loss of innocence. Even though it was tough going through all these events, Antonio receives strength that will assist him extremely throughout his life, with fights and revelations. His incidents have developed the brawny, grown man he will soon be. Transformations are always needed for us to be fully grown, even though it can be hard and

Another example of Antonio's sense of development in good and evil is his home. It is means a lot to Antonio, because the people living in it makes him feel protected and provide warmth to him. When Tenorio and his men came to his house to take Ultima away, Antonio’s father "You walk on my land! That is my business" (Anaya 130). This make Antonio feel that he would be protected by the presence of his father., Gabriel. However, Antonio's mother made home very fond and ardent for him. She had always been affectionate towards him and would show him care. Most importantly, Ultima was the one who contributed to the goodness of Antonio's home. She made Antonio feel as though her presence filled the home with love and safety. It was Ultima who calmed Antonio down after he had seen Lupito die. Whenever he had a nightmare, Ultima would always be right beside to comfort Antonio and " could sleep again" (Anaya 34). Ultima's fearlessness against Tenorio and his three daughters made Antonio feel that he would be safe wherever Ultima was. Overall, the

In the book “Bless Me Ultima,” by Rodolfo Anaya, the role of duality goes very into depth with its many controversial topics. Some of these topics include the contrast between Catholicism and indigenous mysticism, good witchcraft and evil witchcraft, and men and women. Since Antonio must struggle to find his own identity and place he must battle between his family, beliefs, and self. This can be seen between his parents, who’s frequently conflicting views make it difficult for Antonio to accept either of their belief systems, his struggles between the English and Spanish language, and how evil and good affected his innocence.

He has been asking god why evil things happen, and he doesn't get any answers, Antonio believes that on his first communion god will finally answer his questions. He says “then the shining goal easter sunday and first holy communion”(204). Antonio can't wait for his holy communion to get answers from god. But when his first communion comes around he asks god for answers and god doesn't answer back. After Antonio asks god for answers Florence tragically drowns. Antonio witnesses the death of Florence and is sad for him. Florence never believed in the catholic faith so Antonio knew he was going to hell. Antonio stated ”the lonely river was a sad place to be when on is a small boy who has just seen a friend die”(242). He has witnessed another innocent person die and begins questioning god even more. Antonio is sad that Florence died, but he realizes that while growing up there will be many devastating events he has to fight through. At the beginning of the book Antonio is an innocent boy who has never experienced any devastating events in his life. At the end of the book Antonio is strong, he has seen three people die and has been introduced to the hardships he will have to go through whilst growing

And they made him the lord of all the waters of the valley” (Anaya 84). Antonio side tracks the reader into the possibility of another god, but in reality we are aware the idea is absurd. 2.

Religion is a cultural event that occurs in the life of the Lunas. Antonio’s mother brings that aspect with her when she marries with a man that has Marez blood. The presence of religion stays with Antonio throughout the course of the novel. It can easily be said that religion defines an enormous portion of who he is from the point of birth. He makes his best efforts to stay away from horrible experiences and put his thoughts out of anything that may make him doubts and God and heaven. But even for him it reaches to a point that he can’t bear with much more. But religion remains present even at home. While Antonio’s three older brothers, Andrew, Leon and Eugenio are away at war, Antonio and his family pray for them all the time and even when they have returned. They do this on a day to day basis to keep the presence of religion alive.

we can see that Antonio’s courage and of the good person is that he is finally rewarded at the end