Bless Me, Ultima Reader Response Journal

           So far I am enjoying the book. At first I was worried that I would not like it because of all the Spanish words and references, but I think that is what makes this novel kind of special. I do, however, wish that Rudolfo Anaya translated the Spanish words in footnotes or in parenthesis or something! I want to know what they are saying! It is funny because the way the novel is written, it makes it seem like Antonio is at least in middle school... but he is just starting 1st grade! His thought process is very mature and he is very brave for a first grader. When his father goes out to the river to deal with Lupido, I could not believe that Antonio followed! When I was in first grade I would not dare to go outside by myself let alone hide in a bush when there was a possibility of being shot! I was so nervous reading that scene and was hoping that Antonio did not get shot by accident. I am still unsure of my feeling about Luptido. Was it the right thing to do to kill him? I am not sure. He killed an innocent sheriff without reason, so he should be punished. But if he is crazy because of the war he might have been able to be helped out of his state of mind. I feel bad that Antonio is struggling to understand if his father is now going to go to Hell or Heaven. He participated in the murder of a man, whether he was the one who pulled the trigger or not. Ultima says he did not pull the trigger, but isn't it just as bad to have not stopped it from being pulled than pulling it himself? 

           It made me chuckle when I read, "Why two people as opposite as my father and my mother had married I do not know. Their blood and their ways had kept them at odds, and yet for all this, we were happy" (Anaya, 29), because the entire time I was wondering how they came to marry. His mother is always talking about how bad the Marez his and his father is always ranting about the Luna. I wonder how the met...

           While reading I also wondered what war his brothers were fighting in. Does anyone know?

           Anyway, I am really enjoying this book so far and look forward to reading the next five chapters. Ultima is very mysterious and makes for a great character. I predict that there will be some drama at school regarding Antonio and the kids who laugh at him. I think one of the best quotes of the chapters is, "We banded together and in our union we found strength. We found a few others who were like us, different in language and custom, and a part of our loneliness was gone... although many a meal was eaten in complete silence, we felt we belonged" (Anaya, 59). It made me happy to see that Antonio found some other students like himself. I predict that they will become closer friends and stick up for each other as school progresses.