Bless Me, Ultima is a story that is strongly driven by the theme of identity. Within the theme of identity we see the clash between Chicana/o heritage and gothic culture. Antonio works as the subject from which the readers/audience observe his path among Chicana/o and gothic influence. Antonio’s Chicano identity is demanded through his mother’s Christian faith as she wants him to become a priest. This Christian presence sort of counter acts against the gothic presence of Ultima’s witch-like persona as she becomes as strong influence for Antonio. Seeing as there is an occurance of opposition between his Chicano heritage and gothic-like curiosity, a light is shed on Antonio’s struggle to solidify his identity as well as his fate. Perhaps it is these two conflicting cultures that create an urgency within Antonio to find a concluding sense of identity.
With this quest to solidify his identity, Antonio takes on a mature nature as he learns about the good and the bad in life. This works as a form of a loss of innocence as when the reader first meets Antonio he seems to be an innocent boy. Ultima’s teachings have much to do with this new wisdom that is beyond Antonio’s years. In addition, some events spark Antonio to wonder about the realities of sin and consequence which is highly connected to Christianity. For example, Lupito’s muder as well as the murder of Narciso acts as events that slowly rob Antonio of his innocence. These events also force Antonio to consider lessons from his Chicano heritage as well as from his supernatural experiences alongside Ultima.
I would say the theme of identity is the most vital theme to recognize from the story as it is centralized by the opposition between Chicana/o and Christian traditions and Ultima’s supernatural nature. Perhaps Antonio’s loss of innocence is a form of solidifying his identity in the sense that he is gaining enough maturity to find a balance between Ultima’s spiritual lessons and his Chicano heritage. Or to choose one over the other. This makes me question if the presence of witchery can coexist with one of Chicano/a heritage or one of Christian religion.
The search for identity is a major theme is this novel. Antonio struggles with several aspects of his identity. Is he a Luna or a Marez? Does he believe in Catholicism, paganism or witchcraft? Will he become a priest or a farmer? All of these conflicts create confusion about identity for Antonio. However he is not the only one who questions identity in the novel. Ultima’s identity is questioned by others, although her personal sense of self stays true. Antonio’s older brother Andrew struggles with his connection to home but and his desire to explore the world with his brothers. Even Antonio’s father struggles with his identity because of his inability to out to California. The evolutions of characters in this novel are largely based on questions of identity critiques of one’s self.
So I have been thinking very much about these two comments. Kenya mentions Antonio’s search for identity, which is obviously true. Kristina also touches on that, but adds something what I believe to be very insightful. She argues that the identity people perceive Ultima to have is also inconsistent.
In my classes, it is very important to me to grasp what truth I can find at hand. I try and ask myself, “Okay, what is the point of me knowing this?” I like to challenge myself with the “What’s the point?’ question.” After reading these two blogs, I am attempting to do just that. What matter’s mot is the present time, so I began to think and question if curandera’s still exist today, and weather or not they struggle the same way Ultima did. Finding your self through a divided identity like Antonio is still very relevant today, which is why I think this book resonates with so many Chicanos, especially first generation ones. However, being a curandera seems to be infinitely greater.
It is apparent that curandera/os still exist in today’s culture. In V. Romano and Ignacio Octavio’s periodical , “Charismatic medicine, folk-healing, and folk-sainthood” they bring to light the idea that a curandera/o has to put on a certain part in the healing process which they equate to “charismatic medicine.” One thing they mentioned was that a behavioral requirement was to have “mutual assistance” and provide “direct action toward to community.” Ultima does this well when she heals Antonio’s uncle. She is not indifferent toward their family or feel a strong tie to them either. She simply does what she needs to. What Romano and Octavio point out is that there is a kind of performance and script that a curanera/o has to follow, but that that script can often get misinterpreted. The idea of “charismatic’ medicine or healing is done through the performance of the curander/o. This made me think of Ultima closely. In her wisdom, Ultima was very charismatic. She was gentle and kind, but also strong and stern when she most needed. In essence being a curandrina/o is very much a personality trait as much as it is a skill.
Romano-V., O. (1965). Charismatic medicine, folk-healing, and folk-sainthood. American Anthropologist, 67(5), 1151-1171.