Path Luna In Bless Me, Ultima

Path Márez vs. Path Luna
Many children and teenagers ponder about what they want to be when they grow up. In many regions of the world, many adolescents have to follow the dreams of their mother or father as they come of age. In the novel Bless Me, Ultima, Antonio is faced with the challenge of becoming a Luna or a Marez. Throughout the novel he endures events that shape him into the person that he is yet to come. An analysis of the book reveals that with some guidance from his curandera Ultima, Antonio will become a Luna as he ventures into adulthood.

First, it must be explained how both sides of his family are essentially different. Each side carries certain traditions and ideas that have been passed on from generation to generation;

therefore, this decision may enhance or weaken one of his parents’ heritage. His father Gabriel was once a vaquero who roamed the llano in New Mexico. His father’s family is driven by the freedom and the vast excitement of the llano. On the other hand, María’s family is full of farmers that harvest and cherish the land.They hope that Antonio will become a priest one day. Both parents want the best for Antonio; additionally, they want him to continue their family's’ heritage. Throughout the book one may notice that María’s family is a lot more civil compared to Gabriel’s. When Antonio was born, the Luna’s and the Mares had a confrontation about what path Antonio will follow. The llaneros disagreed with the Luna’s and “curses and guns filled the air, [and] pistols were drawn” (Bless Me Ultima 6). The quote above represents how the Marez family cannot deal with conflict in a civil manner. Events like these have shaped Antonios decision on what he wants to do in his future.
Second, Antonio has learned many things from his mother and father’s families’; additionally, his goals to either become a Luna or Marez are conflicting because he needs guidance. In the novel, Antonio learned how to gather herbs and nature’s remedies with Ultima. He learned how to farm, with his mother’s family and gained wisdom from his father; however, he learns much more from certain events such as the first time he sees the golden carp. When he sees the carp he gets more interested in religion and starts going to catechism. Antonio has learned the stated things above and with this introduction into Marez and Luna life he begins to see how these goals are conflicting and so fundamentally different. His goals are conflicting because his dad’s family is wild and nomadic and his mom’s family is quiet and reflective.
Lastly, you must know why Antonio is most likely to become a Luna as he becomes an adult. In the novel, he cuts down juniper trees to make a platform for Ultima. When he does this, he “first talked to the tree and asked it for its medicine” (Bless Me Ultima 231). By his actions, one can conclude that he takes time with the earth just like his mother’s relatives. When he received his first communion, he said “I had just swallowed him [God], He must be in there! For a moment, on the altar railing, I thought I had felt his warmth, but then everything moved so fast.” (Bless Me Ultima 221). Due to the stated quote above, one can conclude that he now has a personal connection with God. God is now within his spirit. His mother wants him to become a priest.
Lastly, Antonio is shaped into the person that he was ought to be with the events and facts stated within this essay. Ultima gives him guidance which leads him to the decision of becoming a Luna. Later, one would predict that he will either become a farmer or a priest.