Antonio's maturity continues to surprise me in the next four chapters. In a conversation with Narciso at the beginning of chapter 13, Antonio talks to him about why he did not stick up for Ultima when talk was going around town. He asks him, "Is that fair?" (Anaya, 138). He means is it fair that Ultima saved his brother and yet none of them were man enough to stick up for her. I was shocked when he asked if it was fair. He is only 12 years old and yet can understand what is fair and unfair in such a convoluted situation. Throughout the chapters Antonio continues to lose his innocence and gain maturity. It is traumatizing enough to watch someone you love get shot right in front of you, but to act as the priest and to take confession is very mature. After this experience I do not see how Antonio could have any innocence left. He had the blood of a dead man on his hands and saw someone take the life of another, twice.
Seeing his brother, Andrew, at Rosie's also contributed to his loss of innocence. When he follows Naricso to Rosie's, Narciso asks to speak to the Marez and Antonio hears the women say, "Which Marez?"(Anaya, 164). This made is evident to Antonio that more than just Andrew have visited the house of the whores. This is very disappointing for Antonio as he looks up to his father and brothers very much. I believe this took a lot of Antonio's innocence and opened his eyes to how frequently people actually sin, even those in his own family. His quote at the end of this chapter was especially meaningful. He says, "I wanted to hate Andrew for being with the bad women, but I could not. I only felt tired, and older" (Anaya, 165). Antonio knows that he is losing his innocence. By saying he feels older it is the same as saying he feels more mature. He has seen someone he thought was innocent at the house of sinners. There is no doubt that he would feel older and more mature after this.
I wonder what will happen with Gabriel, Antonio's father, in the future. He seems to be drinking more and becoming more depressed the more he realizes that his boys are growing up. Gabriel is struggling with the fact that it is his sons' turn to live on the wild side and to go out adventuring. He had his time, and although he wishes he could go on an adventure to California, I think that he realizes it will never happen. He misses the old times and wishes that his sons would travel with him. It is sad that Andrew is leaving with his brothers, but at the same time I do not blame him. He wants to start a life of his own as would any young adult.
One of my favorite quotes from this reading was, "... but where there is no acknowledgment of guilt and penance done for the wrong, there can be no forgiveness" (Anaya, 189). Ultima is the speaker of this quote and is talking about Tenario. At the end of the chapter, Tenario visits the Juniper tree where he killed Narciso. He appeared to be searching for something... a meaning, a justification, or forgiveness. I think that Ultima is very wise and her quote says a lot about forgiveness. If forgiveness is to be granted, one must acknowledge what they have done wrong.
I am looking forward to reading the next couple of chapters and predict that Tenario will continue to cause chaos, but that Antonio will become more mature and powerful.
Well done, Dr. Valles.
ReplyDelete