Tony
and the rest of the family go to stay with his uncle Pedro in El Puerto,
ten miles down the valley. Pedro is a farmer, and is Antonio's
favorite uncle. First they visit Prudencio, Antonio's grandfather on
his mother's side. Antonio enjoys his stay there at harvest time.
He overhears his mother saying that she hopes he becomes a priest, and
at night he feels safe and protected.
Analysis
This
chapter gives a picture of life among the relatives of Antonio's
mother, the Lunas. It is a happy, settled life lived close to the land.
The last three short paragraphs give a picture of the different worlds
which Antonio will gradually come to understand more of-the dancing of
the witches, the cries of the owl (which represents Ultima's spirit),
and the dark blue sky seen as the gown of the Virgin. Pagan and
Christian elements are juxtaposed here.
