The various symbols in this quote all represent different facets of the identity he constructs. The
llano is a symbol of his father and the rest of Tony's paternal family. likewise, the river valley is a
parallel with his mother and her family. When I was analyzing the next set of symbols, "the moon and
the sea", I initially thought that these were also symbols for his family. Upon further evaluation
though, I believe they really reflect the values that Tony gravitates to from each family. Although
Tony doesn't necessarily become a priest or a cowboy, he still encompasses the most important values
from each family. He is the moon, wise and compassionate, and he is also the sea, curious and free.
As for the last set of characteristics, the making of "something new" between to carp and God,
reflects his unique spiritual identity that pulls from traditional catholicism and from some of the more
spiritual pagan ideals he learned from Ultima.
By the end of the novel, as Tony completes his journey, he has a more grounded identity. Within
all of these symbols, are the building blocks of the man Antonio will become. Of course, he is only
able to start assembling this identity once he abandons the blueprint others have drawn for him.
Throughout the story, he becomes so much more complex and multifaceted than just a priest or just a
vaquero. He is a culmination of the llano, the river valley, the moon, the sea, the golden carp, and
God.
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