Holy Water In Bless Me Ultima

In “Bless Me Ultima” (pages 119- 121) by Rudolfo Anaya, Antonio dreams of the destruction coming from the golden carp leading to Antonio’s mom and dad’s point of view on the holy water. In this dream, Rudolfo Anaya uses vivid metaphor and rich symbolism to persuade Antonio that multiple aspects of identities, identify who a person is. The first use of metaphor is seen in page 120, when Antonio’s mom is describing how Antonio is “saved” because he was baptized in the holy water. Although she describes the holy water as “the water of the moon” (Anaya 120), this use of metaphor denotes the water of the moon to the holy water. Anaya Rudolfo uses this metaphor to describe in short phrases how Antonio’s mom views the holy water and indicates her side of Antonio’s identity. Antonio mom’s identity represents the direction in which Antonio is being pulled in by following her Luna tradition. As the dream progresses, Antonio’s dad starts to describe the holy water as the “salt water of the sea” (120). In contrast to María, Antonio’s dad doesn’t have a deity to believe in and wants Antonio to be a vaquero instead of a priest like how his mom wants him to be. This use of metaphor compares the holy water to the “salt water of the sea”. This shows Antonio’s dad's identity, indicating that Antonio has vaquero resemblance
As the destruction rises Antonio looks up and see’s Ultima. She speaks to Antonio’s parents about the two types of water. She later tells Antonio that the two types of water are one: “ The waters are one Antonio. I looked into her eyes and understood her truth” (Anaya 121). This quote explains that the two different types of water is the same water that gathers and flows to fill the seas. The resemblance of the two types of water symbolizes the two identities of Antonio’s parents and how they’re one and also identify who Antonio