Bless Me, Ultima: Novel Summary: Chapter 21

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Chapter 21

Tony still feels he is not in communication with God. Cico tells him that there are many gods. They see the golden carp again and decide to let Florence in on the secret. They go to the Blue Lake where they see Horse and the others frantically calling over to them. Horse and his friends have been swimming on the dangerous side of the lake. They tell Tony and Cico that Florence dived in and has not resurfaced. As the lifeguard approaches, Florence's body floats to the surface. Efforts to revive him fail.

Analysis

The death of Florence promises to raise more religious questions for Tony. Tony has now witnessed three deaths, that of Lupito, Narciso and now Florence. They all force him to ask questions about what happens to the soul after death. The dead men and boy died in completely different circumstances. Lupito was a murderer and therefore a sinner; Narciso was a good man who was murdered and made confession before he died. Florence was an atheist. What is the fate of the three souls? Tony has much to consider. He does not know the answers either, and often the official Catholic answers he is presented with do not satisfy him.