In Bless Me Ultima, Rudolpho Anaya creates many dualities that push and pull Antonio in opposing ways. One tension that he struggles with is in deciding what his future path entails. Should he be wild and free like his father's Márez side or should he be a stable and hard-working farmer like his mother's Luna side? Perhaps he should push aside both of these and pursue his mother's dream of sacrificing himself to the Catholic church as a priest. There is also the tension of religiosity and the power of God. After experiencing a “silent” communion, Antonio questions the God he has learned about since his childhood. “I wondered if God were alive anymore, or if He had ever been” (236). This tension between two sides becomes stretched even further after he witnesses the magical presence of the golden carp. Could stories of folklore and the God of the Catholic Church coexist? Is one good and one evil?
However, Anaya places experiences and people in Antonio's life that allow him to heal and move beyond dualities. Anaya uses Ultima, a healer or curandera, who teaches Antonio that tolerance and understanding are important in his life choices. She allows him to join her and help her as she heals his uncle Lucas. Ultima acknowledges the legitimacy of the Catholic Church, but remains firm in her spiritual and mysterious healing powers.
Antonio's dualities resonated with opposing choices in my own life. Do I want to further my education and pursue a Master's degree in psychology or do I want to commit to a few years of service abroad? Do I want to pursue a vocation that emphasizes my study of psychology, spanish, or peace and justice? Through reading this book, I am recognizing that these “opposite” choices do not need to emphasize polar opposites, but can integrate into a changing and merging future. Just as Antonio must take the knowledge he has gained from Ultima to guide his future, I must take the teachings I have received and apply them to how I wish to spend the rest of my life as I change, mature, and grow as an individual and in a community with others.
However, Anaya places experiences and people in Antonio's life that allow him to heal and move beyond dualities. Anaya uses Ultima, a healer or curandera, who teaches Antonio that tolerance and understanding are important in his life choices. She allows him to join her and help her as she heals his uncle Lucas. Ultima acknowledges the legitimacy of the Catholic Church, but remains firm in her spiritual and mysterious healing powers.
Antonio's dualities resonated with opposing choices in my own life. Do I want to further my education and pursue a Master's degree in psychology or do I want to commit to a few years of service abroad? Do I want to pursue a vocation that emphasizes my study of psychology, spanish, or peace and justice? Through reading this book, I am recognizing that these “opposite” choices do not need to emphasize polar opposites, but can integrate into a changing and merging future. Just as Antonio must take the knowledge he has gained from Ultima to guide his future, I must take the teachings I have received and apply them to how I wish to spend the rest of my life as I change, mature, and grow as an individual and in a community with others.
Maybe this book acts as a sort of curandera that allows us to see ourselves in Antonio’s position full of questions and doubts. In an interview with Rudolpho Anaya by Lawrence Bridges, Anaya refers to the ending by saying “let the reader decide what does Antonio become. Does he become a priest? No, maybe he becomes a writer.” Though Anaya laughs, he recognizes that we as readers interact with the character of Antonio in a way that allows us to better understand or question our own dualities.
I like what you said about getting past dualities so that one can "integrate into a changing and merging future." It does seem as if most things in this world are presented as either/or situations or options, when in reality there a lot of ways that one can blend multiple aspects of life into something they are comfortable with. I really need to start thinking of my future outside of college this way - I think I get so hung up on finding boundaries that I forget to look at finding the similarities instead. I felt so concerned for Antonio because of the pressure that was put on him to decide his future at such a young age. I wanted him to realize that he didn't have to choose one specific path at all – and I guess I need to get myself to realize that too.
ReplyDeleteRebecca,
ReplyDeleteI was fascinated when you mentioned the multiple dualities in the book. I think we all identify with multiples in our lives; you said you're torn between pursuing a masters in psychology, or giving a year or two dedicated to service. Likewise, I am torn between my own duality: priesthood, or pastoral counseling.
Actually... now that I think about it... its not so much of a duality. Hm.
Anyway, I am glad this novel made you examine your life a little more thoroughly in that you're trying to discern the best road to take after Goshen College. Personally, I admire that you want to do service; however, that is something I cannot do, nor could I ever do. I fear for my life too much and with the news reporting deaths each day in third world countries, I've gladly decided I'll stay here.
On a last note, I'll give you some advice: I regard people in the human services profession as a "life of service". You can dedicate your life to helping others at a later point, but I highly encourage you to pursue your master's degree first. With this tool, you can do more good than you can imagine.
I agree with your thoughts on dualities in our lives and the importance of them. Growing into the driving force of our country it is important for us to recognize and come to terms with other views and lifestyles than our own. I believe Antonio eventually comes to an agreement with himself over his own identity as well as Ultima's.
ReplyDeleteBecca,
ReplyDeleteI really liked your observations of dualities in the text. In my own post, I talked about some of the ways Anaya characterized men and women, and created a sort of duality out of these two genders.
I really liked what you had to say about the spiritual duality of Ultima. Is her acknowledgment of the catholic church while also practicing a different brand of spirituality a paradox, or simply a rejection of rigid duality?
As someone who is studying English with some sprinklings of theology, these are somewhat difficult questions to answer. While the social critic in me wants to acknowledge multiple truths, I also tend to view paradoxes and inconsistencies as a case of lazy theology. Perhaps my studies have revealed some dualities inherent in academia.
I love your idea at the end of your post that the book acts as a type of curandera! That's brilliant! Let the reader decide--depending on what he or she brings to the book--and create his or her own reconciliation of opposites;-) I rather like the notion suggested by Anaya that a child with priestly ambitions who is yet skeptical of the religious forms he has been taught, might become a writer. As you describe the dualities in your own life and career choice, I'm struck by the way we humans--at least us modern Americans--tend to put everything in dualistic terms, when moving beyond the duality is often what we need.
ReplyDelete