The book, Bless Me, Ultima, by Rudolfo Anaya is a bildungsroman. A bildungsroman is the German word for �novel of education,� which is a story where the protagonist learns something about him or herself. Antonio Marez, the protagonist of Bless Me, Ultima, learns about his family, who he is, and about his future throughout the story.
Early in the novel, the author describes Antonio�s conflict. For example, in Tony�s first dream we see the struggle between the two sides of his family when the Marez wipes the dirt off of his forehead placed by the Lunas. This shows that the two families have disparate expectations for Tony�s future. Additionally, this proves that Tony is torn between the two worlds of the vaqueros and the farmers. Furthermore, in Tony�s second dream on page 26, his three brothers tell him that he is their mother�s dream, and that they will follow in their father�s footsteps. This shows that Tony�s brothers are now involved in the conflict of his future. It seems as though they have already chosen the path that their little brother will follow in life. The author makes it clear that Tony�s conflict is his choice between being a Marez or a Luna.
Three important people in Tony�s life are Ultima; his mother, Maria Luna; and his father, Gabriel Marez because they all affect his struggle. For instance, on page 31, Maria Luna speaks of the honor that would be brought to her family if Tony became a priest. This shows how Maria thinks only of the reputation of her family rather than thinking of Tony�s desires for his own future. It also seems as though Maria is forcing her youngest son to become something he�s not sure he wants to be. In addition, on page 14, Gabriel Marez explains his shattered dream of moving westward with his sons, since the three eldest are still at war. Even though this is just his dream, it seems as though Gabriel only wants the best for himself. Since Tony is the only son left at home, most of the pressure of his father�s dream is put on him. However, on page 90, Ultima asks Tony is he would like to help her in Las Pasturas. This shows the respect Ultima has in Tony�s ability to make his own decisions. It also shows how Tony has a very different relationship with Ultima than with his parents. Compared to Maria and Gabriel, Ultima seems to be helping Tony the most in his struggle by letting him decide to think for himself.
Tony learned much about himself from his conflict. For example, on page 77, Tony realizes that he can make decisions on his own when he chooses to go fishing on the last day of school, instead of going straight home to his waiting mother. He appears to know that he�s growing up into a man who will soon be able to make his own choices. It also seems as though since he has accomplished something important, he deserves a reward, and going fishing with his friends is what he feels he has earned. Additionally, on page 247, Tony says to his father, �Maybe I do not have to be just Marez, or Luna, perhaps I can be both.� This shows that Tony would like to combine the worlds of the Lunas and the Marez into one. In this way he might be able to please himself and both of his parents. Finally, on page 247, Tony learns he can form something new when his father tells him, � Every generation, every man is part of his past. He cannot escape it, but he may reform the old materials, make something new�.� Apparently, Gabriel is telling his son that there has been enough of the old ways and the conflicts caused by them. Tony is being told that it�s possible to combine the old ways of both families into something incredible. Tony�s earlier conflicts seemed to have helped him learn many things about himself.
Throughout the story, Antonio Marez learns many new things about his life and the people in it. Many help to educate him, while others seem to encumber him. He is informed of the past by his family, has practiced the present with his friends, and taught the possibilities of his future by Ultima.
