Bless Me, Ultima (CH 8-12)

          Alright, I'm enjoying the book, especially now that the plot has become more exciting. I can't help but feel bad for Antonio because he seems to have so many looming future decisions to make and he seems to be caught in the middle of different members of his family/friends.This brings up the point that children are most definitely influenced by their family. Now, back to Ultima. She's called upon to save Uncle Lucas' life and she takes Antonio with her. I was confused on why this powerful healer would want a young boy to come along, until they mentioned his name being "Juan". So, even though I'm not exactly sure, the name must have something to do with it and will probably come up again in future chapters. Another thing about the Lucas life-saving excursion. Why did Antonio feel his sickness while he was in the room. They seemed connected. "he was across the room from me, but our bodies did not seem separated by the distance. We dissolved into each other, and we shared a common struggle against the evil within, which fought to repulse Ultima's magic." (Anaya 100).
       Ultima's magic is good magic, but magic nonetheless. I believe she killed the Tenorio's daughter with the little clay dolls, but she killed evil. Does this make her a witch? Well I feel this is another answer the book is hiding from the reader. When Tenorio comes with his drunken mob to accuse Ultima of witchcraft, Ultima passes the test of walking through the door with a cross above it. However, at the end of the chapter, Antonio finds the needles used to make the cross on the ground. Was it on the ground when Ultima walked through? Had someone knocked it down on purpose? or had it simply fallen after the ordeal was over?
       Ultima gave Antonio her little scapular, and told him not to tell anyone about it. But then he did tell to disprove the fact that it was not found under the bed of Tenorio's dead daughter. I wonder if it has any other significance.
       Narcisco is the coolest character. He is just a friendly gentle giant and seems willing to do anything to help out his friends. He wanted to reason with Lupito when they murdered him on the bridge, but no one in the crowd would listen to him. I think he will continue to help the Marez family and play a role in the whole "Golden Carp" legend.
      The Golden Carp has made Antonio question his beliefs. I think that it will continue to fascinate Antonio and play a part in the novel. My prediction is that the river will flood the town and Antonio may try to warn everyone but nobody will believe him. Ultima may already know about the flood because she talkas about the presence of the river. Maybe Ultima will die and Antonio will have to take her place as ultimate curer. Why else does she take him to gather herbs and to go help a sick patient? Sounds like an apprenticeship to me.