Essay - Novel Bless Me, Ultima One of the Main Themes is...

Novel Bless Me, Ultima

One of the main themes is the novel ***** me, ***** by Rudolfo Anaya ***** magic. Magic is present in the life of young Antonio thanks to Ultima, an old healer who co*****s to stay with 7-year ***** Antonio and his family. Although the child is naturally attracted to the realm of magic, he is also ***** ***** position to wonder about issues such as life, death, ***** religion.

***** owl symbolizes the power ***** magic, and represents the link between ***** and An*****nio. When the owl dies, Ultima's force is destroyed. In fact, when Antonio buries ***** owl he feels ***** is burying Ultima as the woman cannot survive *****out the owl. Their link is spiritual, not physical, but ***** death of the inner self - which takes place when Tenerio kills ***** owl -eventually destroys Ultima's physical self as well. The bond between them ***** unbreakable which leads to Ultima's *****. The owl also has great significance in *****'s *****. The owl guides his sleep and symbolizes Antonio's connection with the world of ***** ***** spirituality. Even though the ***** is killed, its presence is still felt by both Antonio and Ultima. Upon her death, ***** reassures ***** that the spirit endures and that *****y are not really dead as long ***** he can feel ***** whenever he is lonely: "I bless you ***** the name of all ***** is good and strong and beautiful, Antonio. Always have the strength to live. Love life, and if despair enters your heart, look for me in the evenings when the wind is gentle and ***** owls sing in the hills. I sh***** be ***** you—"(*****: 248).

The golden carp ***** another symbol of ***** represent*****g wisdom, comfort and moral guidance. Nonetheless, it rein*****s the idea that moral percepts are equally valid irrespective of ***** religion they operate in. In fact, the carp is the ***** of ***** core ***** all religions, i.e. the moral*****y of faith. At first, ***** rejects the ***** because he thinks its calling means betraying ***** own God, i.e. t***** God of *****he Catholic *****. In time, Antonio learns hat the carp can actually help him build his own identity, ***** find answers to his personal questions. ***** this sense, the ***** is much more than a magical fi*****. It represents moral authority which is capable of providing answers, very much like the power of any religion to comfort and help ***** followers. Even the appearance of the fish is deeply symbolical. Antonio's eyes are overwhelmed by warm bright colors ***** as orange, yellow ***** red:"The orange of the ***** carp appeared at the edge of the pond. As he came out of t***** darkness of the pond the sun caught his shiny scales and the light reflected orange and ***** and red. He swam ***** close to our feet. His body was round and smooth in ***** clear water. We watched in silence at the beauty and grandeur of ***** *****