Imprinting; entrusting your own dreams onto a child that barely understands what it means to be alive in the world. This type of hope is common in the modern day just as much as it most likely was in the past. Parents hold this expectation of having their child(ren) live out the careers that they never had to opportunity to pursue. While it may be an innocent push or want for something better for their child, sometimes they fail to see just how much pressure they are putting on a child’s shoulder. The young one barely has had time to explore his/her self let alone find the career that can make them happy. In Bless Me, Ultima this act of enforcing one’s own dreams and desires is very much evident on Antonio. However, it is not just by the efforts of one parent but of both. What really made me curious, though, are the psychological effects that it could possibly have had on Antonio. As the story progresses, he find no true connection between the two options that are presented to him by his mother and father. Although he is tied to the church, he sees that the church is more focused on tradition as opposed to spiritual growth, which is what he feels he needs. Yet, on the other hand, the free and sensual culture of the vaqueros does not appeal to him either. So how does internal duality represent the Chicano experience?
From personal experience, I know the conflict in choosing between education and working. In a study entitled “First in My Family,” college students speak out about the struggle that they have faced in being first generation. While the issues extend to various parts of their lives, students did speak of the struggle between parents wanting them to work versus wanting them to stay in school to finish their education. This becomes part of the Chicano experience in that it becomes a battle between tradition and this new concept of studying in order to aim for something more.
Works Cited:
Saenz, VB, Hurtado, Barrera, Wolf, and Yeung. “First in My Family: A Profile on FIrst Generation College Students at Four-Year Institutions Since 1971.” (2007): n. pag. Web.
As you pointed out, Antonio was pulled in different directions from his parents, both having different wishes for his future. I felt bad for him, as well. Having that pressure at such a young age is not healthy. But this type of behavior from parents is all too common. As I read your post, the first paragraph reminded me of the overbearing “stage moms” and “team dads.” In many cases the pressure they put on their children stems from their own unfulfilled dreams. In Antonio’s case, he was torn between two different ways of life. I am glad that by the end of the novel, he realized that he can meld the two together to form a way of life that will work for him.
The conflict between work and education is a difficult one. As you stated, it can be especially difficult for first generation college students. Sometimes the need for working full-time can come from parental pressure but it also can stem from pressure on one’s self. Once one goes down the path of full-time work/career, it can be a difficult road to pursue an education, as well. That has been my experience. I left my full-time work a couple years ago to focus and finish my education. While the road has been difficult, I am happy that as a first generation college student, I can finally see a degree in reach. The common Chicano experience of choosing work over an education can have long-term effects and in my opinion, is a cycle that should ideally be broken.
I’m glad you focused your post around how parents often push their own dreams and aspirations upon their children. This is evident in Bless Me, Ultima (as you pointed out), Calligraphy of the Witch, as well as The Hungry Women, as Medea cannot purge herself of the possibility of her son becoming like his father. The overbearing affect this has on Medea ultimately leads to the death of her son. Unlike Ultima, who allows Antiono to grow by himself, Medea was too caught up in her own hopes. Medea’s cynicism is the reason she ends her son’s life — she cannot place her own agenda below his. I think this cynicism is relatable to many, especially as others have pointed out things such as the conflict between pursuing work or an education. Concepcion faces a similar problem, as her daughter abandons her. Though Concepcion is much less extreme compared to Medea, the way she pushes the spanish culture on her daughter reveals a similar situation.