" (Anaya: 244). His doubts do not mean he rejects Catholicism. He does not reject the religion of the Lunas either; he merely understands that maturity brings about the need to construct his own identity based on his own beliefs. He accepts God throughout the novel, and looks for Him in everything except in himself. Towards the end, his experiences along with Ultima's teachings guide him towards a religious discovery that is in fact, self-discovery: "There are so many dreams to be fulfilled, but Ultima says a man's destiny must unfold itself like a flower, with only the sun and the earth and water making it blossom, and no one else meddling in it" (Anaya: 223). TEXT "The sun was good. The men of the llano were men of the sun. The men of the farms along the river were men of the moon. But we were all children of the white sun" (27)

There was no one I loved more than the Virgin. God had power, he spoke and the thunder echoed through the skies; God was not always forgiving, but the Virgin was full of a quiet peaceful love." (42) could not have been more entranced if I had seen the Virgin or God Himself." (115)

The orange of the golden carp appeared at the edge of the pond. As he came out of the darkness of the pond the sun caught his shiny scales and the light reflected orange and yellow and red. He swam very close to our feet. His body was round and smooth in the clear water. We watched in silence at the beauty and grandeur of the great fish." (115)

RESPONSE

Antonio is torn between his mother's and his father's faith. This quote illustrates the dichotomy of their belief system as well as Antonio's reaction to it, and how it echoes within the family.

Antonio does not fully comprehend God's power; moreover, because of his system of values, he fails to understand God's ways. It is obvious that his main value is goodness (i.e. kindness, peace...

Further reading made me realize that the movement of the carp, as well as the dichotomy of light-darkness (knowledge and question) was far more important.
There are so many dreams to be fulfilled, but Ultima says a man's destiny must unfold itself like a flower, with only the sun and the earth and water making it blossom, and no one else meddling in it." (223) 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 -- "(248)Antonio's family background (his mother is a devout catholic whereas his father believes in the Llano religion)

The episode when he first sees the golden carp swimming in the river.

Antonio's considerations on destiny and individuality; his quote brilliantly illustrates Ultima's influence on beliefs. He now realizes the importance of personal search, and invokes nature as the powers which contribute to the fulfilling of one's destiny.

Ultima's blessing inspires Antonio to look for goodness and beauty in the world. The song of the owl and the wind represent the transcendental signs that link her to Antonio even after her death. She tells him death is not the end. There is a very profound spiritual bond between the two.

It is very important to understand his family environment and the values of his parents in order to be able to assess whether or not the character has changed at the end of the novel.

This is the first powerful instance when Antonio's Catholic beliefs are challenged and he is introduced to the Llano belief that the fish is a god.