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María is Antonio’s high-strung but loving mother who typifies the Luna philosophy of life. She sees no value at all in the llano, finding its freedom isolating, dangerous, and disturbing. Her beliefs stem from growing up in a family that values hierarchy, structure, and order because they are farmers who must plant in accordance with specific cycles. Similarly, the Lunas’ Catholic faith is rigid and hierarchical. They are meant to find all their answers from the Bible, their priest, and prayer. The Luna family itself is likewise highly structured and patriarchal, with everyone showing deference to María’s father’s wishes. María’s way of seeing the world means that she believes that the knowledge and experience integral to growing up are sinful, particularly for men. Her desire for Antonio to become a priest can thus be read as her wish to preserve his innocence. Not only is a priest a highly revered figure in the Luna conception of the world, but priesthood means Antonio would grow into a holy man, without sin. Later, when we learn that the storied Luna priest broke his vow of chastity, it becomes clear that María also hopes Antonio will redeem her family.
At first, it may be tempting to read María as overbearing or even controlling. She is invested in strict ideals of proper behavior and reputation. She makes sure everyone addresses Ultima properly, even when Ultima herself doesn’t seem to require such deference, and she warns Antonio that his behavior at school reflects directly on the rest of the family. However, as the novel progresses, it becomes clear that María’s overbearingness comes from anxiety and love. For example, praying fervently for the safety of Antonio’s brothers is the only thing she can possibly do to keep them safe in the war. In addition, her rigidity counteracts some of Gabriel’s self-indulgent independence. As María herself points out, Gabriel’s llano dreams cannot help provide for the family, and she must make do with little. Nevertheless, she makes sure there is food on the table. Thus, it’s no surprise Antonio loves María dearly, working hard on his catechism to do her proud. Even though he’s ultimately unsure whether he wants to become a priest at the end of the novel, he still has deep respect for María and the Luna way of life.
