“When she came the beauty of the llano unfolded before my eyes, and the gurgling waters of the river sang to the hum of the turning earth. The magical time of childhood stood still, and the pulse of the living earth pressed its mystery into my living blood.”

This quote exemplifies how Anaya uses nature imagery to convey time and enhance emotion: Antonio feels an instant connection to Ultima, which is represented by his heightened awareness of the natural landscape. He not only perceives the beauty of nature but also feels it become a part of him, symbolizing the deep connection that Ultima and nature will have in his life.

“Cease! She cried, and the men were quiet. I pulled this baby into the light of life, so I will bury the afterbirth and the cord that once linked him to eternity. Only I will know his destiny.”

Anaya establishes Ultima as Antonio’s mentor and spiritual guide early, cementing her importance in the rest of the narrative. By virtue of her presence at his birth, she holds the key to Antonio’s fate. This connection symbolizes the role she will play in his coming-of-age process.

“The four directions of the llano met in me, and the white sun shone on my soul.”

This moment foreshadows how Ultima acts as a mediator between all of the conflicting elements of Antonio’s life. She brings together four different directions of the llano, symbolizing the way she will help Antonio consolidate the different influences on his beliefs, culture, and future.