An Analysis Of Antonio's Mother, Ultima

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Antonio’s mother, Ultima, and the Virgin Mary act as mentors who teach Antonio about faith, tolerance, and forgiveness, all of which allow him to forge his own identity.

Because of her faith and desire for Antonio be a priest, Antonio’s smother pushes him to become “a man of learning,” allowing him the space to grow and discover his own path in life. Right before Antonio goes to his first day of school, his mother sends him off, “’My man of learning! ...The sons must leave the sides of their mothers…He shall be a scholar’…Remember you are a Luna’ ‘And a Márez’… ‘You are to bring honor to your family,’ my mother cautioned. ‘Do nothing that will bring disrespect on our good name’” (53). By sending Antonio off to school, Antonio’s mother is …show more content…
In the summer, when Ultima is spending a lot of time with Antonio, they create a special bond, “Ultima and I continued to search for plants and roots in the hills. I felt more attached to Ultima than to my own mother. Ultima told me the stories and legend of my ancestors. From her I learned the glory and the tragedy of the history of my people, and I came to understand how that history stirred in my blood” (123). As a maternal figure, Ultima teaches Antonio and gives him all of the tools in order for him to flourish and mature into a young man. At the same time, she lets Antonio develop his own beliefs without putting pressure on him. Towards the end of the novel, right before Ultima dies, she gives Antonio some final guidance, “[Ultima’s] last words were, ‘I bless you in the name of all that 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 the owls sing in the hills. I shall be with you,’” (261). Throughout the novel, Ultima is there for Antonio since the time he was born. When she dies, Ultima tells Antonio to have faith in himself and others, and to be patient when facing life’s obstacles. These concepts of faith and tolerance have
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