Spring Break
Bless Me, Ultima
A Journey to Understanding
Adam Ennes
Issue date: 4/27/09 Section: Editorial & Opinion
Antonio's coming of age experiences in the novel Bless Me, Ultima, creates an experience that attunes the reader with the emotions felt by the author. Rudolfo Anaya conveys a relationship with nature that permeates all who can take the time to appreciate it. He also weaves in elements of good an evil to show how life's lack of fairness is what gives us character.
This book helped inspire me to pursue the study of herbalism, and I wouldn't be surprised if others could say the same. Anaya finds a way to present a great mystery, the mystery of what is right, or wrong. What and who is "God", is it more of a personal relationship, or is a dominant one?
The great secret he shares in this novel is how tragic events can help to shape who we are, whether it is Lupito's war sickness, or the death of Ultima's spirit. For Antonio, these events forever influenced who is to be as an individual. His relationship to Ultima was one that he holds dear. If we were to have met with Anaya, I would have to ask him about what percentage of the novel was based on his own experience.
It is written with such clarity and vision that it is hard to believe that none of it could be on his life's experience. Most great ideas are drawn up from personal experiences; and I feel that the mastery of Ultima's character is most likely based on someone Anaya knew as a child, perhaps.
Aside from the learning experiences and coming of age that Antonio goes through, the most delightful parts of this novel are the descriptive sections. When the author creates a vision of the landscape that I can relate to (having lived in N.M. for almost 5 years), I am drawn into the story more, and deeper.
` Rudolpho's concept of nature appeals to me in the sense that "God" is everywhere, and the beauty and mystery of nature matches the enigma "God" presents. The notion of uncertainty presented in Antonio's questioning of his religion(s) reminds me of my days in High School.
This book helped inspire me to pursue the study of herbalism, and I wouldn't be surprised if others could say the same. Anaya finds a way to present a great mystery, the mystery of what is right, or wrong. What and who is "God", is it more of a personal relationship, or is a dominant one?
The great secret he shares in this novel is how tragic events can help to shape who we are, whether it is Lupito's war sickness, or the death of Ultima's spirit. For Antonio, these events forever influenced who is to be as an individual. His relationship to Ultima was one that he holds dear. If we were to have met with Anaya, I would have to ask him about what percentage of the novel was based on his own experience.
It is written with such clarity and vision that it is hard to believe that none of it could be on his life's experience. Most great ideas are drawn up from personal experiences; and I feel that the mastery of Ultima's character is most likely based on someone Anaya knew as a child, perhaps.
Aside from the learning experiences and coming of age that Antonio goes through, the most delightful parts of this novel are the descriptive sections. When the author creates a vision of the landscape that I can relate to (having lived in N.M. for almost 5 years), I am drawn into the story more, and deeper.
` Rudolpho's concept of nature appeals to me in the sense that "God" is everywhere, and the beauty and mystery of nature matches the enigma "God" presents. The notion of uncertainty presented in Antonio's questioning of his religion(s) reminds me of my days in High School.
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