Cultural Syncretism In Bless Me, Ultima

Culture is highly influential on an individual, until it isn’t. Similar to the latest trends or crazes of society, culture only affects the perspectives of people until something new is introduced. In reality, that might include an individual straying away from the values of their family in order to create their own sense of culture, which causes their family to not influence their perspectives anymore. In literature, such as the novel Bless Me, Ultima, and the short stories of “Everyday Use,” “Occupation: Conductorette,” and “Going to Japan,” this theme of culture only influencing a character for a limited amount of time still persists. The culture of an individual influences their perspective on the others and the world, but only until the

In the novel, “Bless Me Ultima”, written by Rudolfo Anaya, Antonio lives in New Mexico with his family and Ultima, where he tries to chose his journey in life while being influenced by many different cultures and

In the end, Juan was a slave who eventually became a free man who loved to paint. He has had struggles and successes and even luck that had lead to him being a free man, which most slaves did not ever experience one moment of freedom. The book also shows many of the aspects of a renaissance life for a slave and how important painting was to these

Disagreements brought among two can greatly cause an uncertain effect on those surrounded by them, as well as each other. Innocent minded children are targeted to be easily influenced. That is until that child starts becoming experienced and learns to lead his own path perpetually discovering his autonomy. Gabriel and Maria, a dissimilar couple introduced from Rudolfo Anaya’s “Bless Me, Ultima”, presents a conflicting environment on those having to deal with their differing ideal beliefs. Maria, a Luna, daughter of a farmer, peaceful and quiet like the moon.

In this explanation, the author employs the relationship of Antonio, a seven year boy and Ultima, a magical woman with healing powers and the various experiences which all along help the protagonist to learn important aspects of the community and designs means of overcoming the challenges with the help of Ultima. The author has done a good job in highlighting the origins and traditions of a culture which seems to be little understood or ignored by historians. The setting of the narrative, which is the author’s hometown and the use of the author’s life experiences does not only make the facts presented valuable but also exciting to read. The story also presents a number of conflicts such as paganism vs Catholicism, American Culture vs Hispanic Culture and the Expectation of parents towards their

(176) Antonio dreams of Armageddon, which ironically is an event of mortality and utter destruction. It has setting of a nightmare more than a dream. Many would ask, what would cause such a twisted imagination? Astonishingly, it was the effects of parental influence that led to the conflict that would seep into the dreams of their child. Additionally, Antonio’s dreams are deep-rooted, yet his confliction is still able to negatively nourish his

In the introduction to Days of Obligation by Richard Rodriguez, Rodriguez encaptures the differences of societies within the nation of Mexico and state of California, both of which he is familiar with. Rodriguez informs the readers through different stylistic devices on the tragic society that is Mexico and comedy of California.  Its is targeted to general audience as he simply contemplates the differences between comedy and tragedy which he talks about as if to an outsider looking in. All in all, Richard Rodriguez attempts to convey the wisdom of both comedic and tragic societies and just how different they are. Rodriguez throughout out the introduction states differences in culture and identity within the two different societies.

Marco Pérez Dr. Rony Garrido The short novel, Aura, by Carlos Fuentes creates a mythical reality to reference Mexican history. He uses Aura, Felipe Montero, and Consuelo as a reflection of the past and the present, where for example, Consuelo represents the past and Felipe the present. In this paper I will explain how the love story of Felipe, Aura, and Consuelo represent Mexican history. In addition this paper will explain how myth breaks down into different elements, such as religion, legends, traditions, and beliefs, all of which are manifested in the different characters and their actions within this novel.

Bless Me, Ultima also presented the process of acculturation for Mexican-Americans, especially in the education system. Vikki Ruiz specifically mentions this process, stating “Students also became familiar with U.S. history and holidays” (Ruiz, p.266). this is portrayed when Antonio talks about one learning English only after going to school. Acculturation was an intrinsic aspect of the creation of Mexican

She encounters a little boy with a woman and she describes the way both were dressed, and how the woman was eating a donut and a cup of coffee. These and other details make Isasi-Diaz conclude that this woman was living a difficult ‘cotidiano’ and was probably struggling with her everyday life (Isasi-Diaz pg. 52-53.) This made Isasi-Diaz reflect on her own life and all the accessibility she had to many things that others do not have, like a coffee in the morning. She also reflected on how she has access to a healthy breakfast instead of the donut like the woman got from around the corner (Isasi-Diaz pg.

Antonio “Tony” Marez is only a six year old child at the start of the book. His father trying to push him into cattle herding, while his mom is pushing him to become a priest. He instead works under Ultima a elderly women that is a healer in the community. Antonio is a businesslike child.

Diaz believes that her brother doesn’t deserve her family support, but family supports each other at any moment in the life. For instance, Diaz state “my phone, come Deshacer a tus padres/ Jesus told me to, and Mon Frere”(34-35). The parents still believe that the brother can be different, but Diaz thinks that the brother just wants to separate her family. The family was getting affect by the bother, but they still are there for him.

The setting allows the reader to understand how people without honour are seen as outcasts of the society and the existence of a woman’s virginity is seen as a measure of her honour, as well as a precious commodity, which can purchase the family’s social advancement, through a marriage of convenience. Ángela states that Santiago deflowered her, but since “…she looked for it in the shadows…”, even though “She only took the time necessary to say the name.” we question this piece of information and its reliability, due to it being precise but also vague at the same time. Due to their sister stating this, Pablo and Pedro Vicario are ordered to reinstate their “…sister’s lost honour…”, ironically by their mother, to meet the expectations of the community and it is up to them to spiritually retrieve their sister’s virginity by killing Santiago. This means the brothers cannot back down from “…the horrible duty that’s fallen on them…” as “…there’s no way out of this…”.

The Mirabal’s father had been engaged in a risky love affair with another woman, and Margarita is one of the daughters of the family formed by the secret couple. After receiving valuable information regarding three of the imprisoned Mirabal sisters from her mother’s cousin, Margarita transferred the news—on the label from a can of tomato paste—to an anxious Patria who was relieved to hear that her sisters were alright. Margarita, of her own accord, made the great risk to smuggle the priceless note to Patria. If she had been caught, death may have ensued for the poor woman, and the incarcerated siblings might have been killed as well. The great courage Margarita displayed is an act worthy of lavish praise, yet none was given.

Adams writes, "Would Circero have shone so distinguished an orator if he had not been roused, kindled, and enflamed by the tyranny of Catiline, Verres, and Mark Antony" (line 35). Adams is explaining to her son that he has to face great challenges before he can be a heroic leader. She uses the great men in the past to help motivate and encourage her son. Adams also shows allusion in line 60 when she writes, "with the blessing of Heaven, will transmit this inheritance to ages yet unborn. " Adams wants to show that her son has the help with Heaven and God and that they are with him every step of the way.