Since I already blogged about the last reading in Bless Me, Ultima, but we still have a blog due during Thanksgiving, I will be talking about a few specific themes from the novel that have stood out to me. Although I have enjoyed most all of the readings for this class (even the ones that most everyone else disliked), I did not enjoy Bless Me, Ultima at all. I am not someone who enjoys the whole mystical-magic-woman-who-knows-everything stories. I would never say that Anaya is not a great author, I just don't personally prefer mystical books like this one.
I thought Ultima was unrealistic, and I could not relate to her very well. I think her role as a friend and mentor to Antonio was very well described, but the fact that she knew everything and could save everyone seemed very far from home. Another thing that sort of bothered me was the unrealistic maturity of Antonio throughout the book. I can totally see a 6-year-old with a wild imagination much like Antonio's, but I cannot relate to a 6-year-old boy who thinks so much about his eternal soul, the fate of others, and analysis of life in general. A narrative work of a normal 6-year-old would be much more childish with far less complex thought processes.
Although my personal opinions about the novel are semi negative, I was able to relate to some of its themes. I can relate very well to two different types of family uniting to form the beginning of my immediate family. I have observed how my parents made it work very smoothly. I could relate to the careless childhood games and friends of youth, and how they affect the rest of one's life. Antonio was far more analytical than I ever was as a child, but I remember the fun times I had as a youth, and I am still the same person, but just older. Antonio learned that sooner or later, we all grow up. Things happen that we hope never will, but we make the best of life and carry on.
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