Bless Me, Ultima
By
Rudolfo Anaya
English 10 Honors-Mr. Mielke
1. Study Questions
2. Activities
3. Vocabulary
This packet is due COMPLETED FRONT TO
BACK ENTIRELY ON THE DAY OF THE FINAL
TEST OVER Bless Me, Ultima. In addition,
random checks of the study packet may occur.
Name_____________________Period________
RATE YOUR OPINION OF THE FOLLOWING
1
Agree Strongly
2
3
4
5
6
Disagree Strongly
_____ 1. Sometimes you just have to have faith.
_____ 2. Nice things happen to nice people.
_____3. Growing up is painful.
_____4. Sometimes you have to swallow your pride.
_____5. Real magic exists.
_____ 6. Most of the things we call evil are not evil; we just don't
understand them.
_____ 7. Parents should not try to decide your future for you.
_____ 8. You should not try to interfere with destiny.
_____ 9. I know what it means to be trapped between two cultures.
_____ 10. Two people with different values should not get
married.
_____ 11. People seem to want to hurt each other when they are in
a group.
_____ 12. Only women really know how to forgive.
_____ 13. Life is never beyond hope.
The previous statements all relate to themes that will be presented in the novel.
As you read, pay attention to what is said and by whom as it relates to one of the
themes. Do you agree? Does it seem to relate in anyway to your life? Remember to
be an ACTIVE reader, not a passive reader. Speak to the story. Think about it. Try
to know these characters and understand their thoughts and emotions.
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Bless Me, Ultima: Discussion Questions-answer each question with a complete sentence.
SUPERSTITION
1. What is superstition?
2. What are some common examples?
3. How and why do superstitions arise?
4. Do you believe in any superstitions?
5. Are superstitions part of organized religion (Catholicism, Judaism, etc.)? Explain.
DREAMS
1. What are the definitions for "dream"?
2. Do you believe in the power of dreams? Explain for each definition.
3. Do you remember the dreams you had when you wakeup?
Why do you think you dreamt what you did?
4. Can "dreams" be a sign? Explain.
CULTURE SHOCK
1. What is culture shock?
2. Have you ever experienced or witnessed being "torn between two cultures'?
3. Are any young people in your community confronted by two cultures-the "American" culture
at school, and another one at home?
4. What conflicts does this create?
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OUR MELTING POT
1. Do you think that the U.S. is more of a "melting pot" or a "salad" with respect to its varied
ethnic groups? Explain.
2. How are bilingual students treated at this school?
3. Should they be taught in their own language as well as English?
4. Is there a respect for other cultures or is there more often prejudice (our school, our
community)? Explain.
ELDERLY RELATIVES
1. With which of your elderly relatives do you have the closest relationship? Explain.
2. What have you learned from that person?
3. What sorts of times/experiences do you share?
4. Do you have any elderly relatives living with you?
If so, what is that like?
If not, do you think your family would invite an elderly relative to live with you if the need
arose?
How would this change the family dynamics?
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FOLKTALES
Folktales, according to Carl Tomlinson and Carol Lynch-Brown's Essentials of Children's
Literature are "stories that grow out of the lives and imaginations of the people, or folk." They
are a form of traditional literature which began as an attempt to explain and understand the
natural and spiritual world. The origin of the folktale lies in the oral tradition, until the twelfth
century, when first literary sources began to circulate in Europe.
Some scholars argue that folktales were passed through the migrations of peoples. Once
developed, they spread from country to country through people, for example "sailors and
soldiers, women stolen from their tribes, slaves and captives of war, traders, minstrels and bands,
monks and scholars, and young men on the grand tour," as stated by Sutherland and Arbuthnot in
Children and Books. The stories circulated in consistent, yet shifting form due to the fact that
each teller would slightly alter the words. Interestingly, the folktales that traveled by land
changed a great deal because of the retelling process, while those that traveled by sea were more
similar in version. Folklorists agree that most folktales were created at early stages of
civilization.
Folktales can be categorized into several predominant kinds.
1. Cumulative tales are the simplest of all. There is not much plot involved, but they carry a lot
of rhythm. Events follow each other logically in a pattern of cadence and repetition. The House
That Jack Built, The Old Woman and Her Pig, There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a
Fly and One Fine Day are good examples of cumulative tales.
2. Talking Beast Stories are stories in which animals and creatures talk just as humans do.
Generally, they teach a lesson such as the rewards of courage, ingenuity, and independence.
They are primarily good entertainment due to their lively nature, as in Puss in Boots, Story of
the Three Little Pigs or The Three Billy Goats Gruff. Children enjoy the exaggerated
characterizations of human beings in the animals.
3. Drolls or humorous tales are those meant for fun and nonsense--silly stories about sillies.
They revolve around a character who makes unbelievably funny mistakes. One popular
noodlehead story is the Norwegian husband who had to take care of his house and nearly
destroys it. Good stories include When Schlmiel Went to Warsaw by Isaac Bashevis Singer,
Jack and the Three Sillies or Obedient Jack in Chimney Corner Tales.
3. Realistic stories deal with characters, plots, and settings that are possible. There is little
exaggeration and no magic involved. Blue Beard is a good example of a realistic tale.
4. Religious tales are another form of literature from the oral tradition. Such stories may be
humorous or didactic. Noah's Ark by Peter Spier is a Caldecott Award Book.
5. Romances are tales wherein enchantments and impossible tasks separate lovers and magic
may reunite them. The characters are frequently stereotypes as in Beauty and the Beast.
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6. Tales of magic are the folktales which children commonly refer to as fairy tales. They deal
with magic or enchantment in plot, characters and setting. They are the talking mirrors, magic
kisses, and enchanted forest. Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp is one magic tale.
There are several distinctive elements of folktales. First is the introduction which introduces the
leading characters, time/place of the story and the conflict or problem to be faced. These may be
short such as "Once upon a time" or "Back in the days when the animals could talk." Setting is
also stock such as a road or a bridge or in a forest. Following the introduction is the
development. Here the action mounts steadily until it reaches a climax, where the problem or
conflict will be resolved. Typically, the hero or heroine faces many obstacles and is usually
reduced to helplessness before the climax. Finally comes the conclusion which is usually "short
and sweet." Everything is resolved-- the heros and heroines are happy and the villains are
punished. One convention conclusion is "and they lived happily ever after." A very distinctive
element of folktales is the importance of the plot and the shallowness of the characters and
setting.
For children, the appeal of folktales lies in the qualities that youngsters respond to in a story. The
tale starts quicky with action throughout. Children often enjoy the humor in such stories. They
also appeal to a child's sense of justice--good is rewarded and evil is punished. Characters are
generally stereotyped--good or bad. The rhyme and repetition of many folktales attract children.
Stories are usually short and with a definite conclusion. According to Sutherland and Arbuthnot,
"the folktale has all the things that children, especially small children, like." Andre Favat in his
study of folktales, especially fairy tales, concluded that fairytales generally represent the world
as children perceive it. Also they like the predictable form and content of the stories. The fact
that folktales are objective and understandable also appeals to them.
Literary reviews of folktales are generally favorable--after all, these stories have stood the test of
time. More importantly, however, is what fairy tales offer children. The child's social
consciousness is improved because through folktales he or she learns that good will triumph over
evil. Maria Perez-Stable's article, "Understanding American History Through Children's
Literature" argues that children can connect with America's past through folktales. In Charles
Cornell's article in Young Children, he states, "many of our traditional rhymes and folktales,
when used conscientiously, can offer excellent in-roads to an understanding of our customs and
culture." He warns, however, tht "rhymes and folktales that induce or enhance negative
stereotypes can threaten a child's identity and self-image, particularly when the child is of an
ethnic or racial minority." Although Cornell is warning against possible potential dangers of
using folktales as an educational medium, most critics agree that they are an excellent source for
teaching culture.
Folktales, a specific type of folklore, have lasted through a long period of time due to their
universality. They remain among children's favorite forms of literature. Folklorists who study the
form to understand the who, what, where when and why of folktales agree upon only one thing:
folktales have been the cement of society.
References
Cornell, C. "Language and Culture Monsters That Lurk in Our Traditional Rhymes and
Folktales." Young Children, v. 48, Sept. 93, pp40-46.
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Cox, M. An Introduction to Folklore Singing Tree Press, Detroit. 1968, pp283-87.
Lynch-Brown, C. and Tomlinson, C. Essentials of Children's Literature Boston: Allyn and
Bacon, 1993, pp100-110.
Perez-Stable, M. Understanding American History Through Children's Literature. 2nd ed.
Phoenix: Oryx Press, 1994.
Sutherland, Z. and Arbuthnot, M. Children and Books HarperCollins Pub., New York, 1991.
Thompson, S. The Folktale. New York: Dryden Press, 1946.
SOURCE: http://falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/tradcarney.htm 2 February 2 008
Answer the following questions in complete sentences:
1. What is a folktale in your own words?
2. What elements do many folktales have?
3. What is the “owl” in a folktale usually like?
4. What is the language like in a folktale?
5. What sorts of dreams do you find in folktales?
6. What sort of magic do you find in folktales?
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Notes from Powerpoint:
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Character List- Bless Me, Ultima- Rudolfo Anaya
Write a description of the following Characters as you meet them in your reading.
Antonio Márez Gabriel and María Márez Ultima Narciso Tenorio Trementina and his three daughtersCico Florence Antonio’s friends:
Abel
Bones
Ernie
Horse
Lloyd
Red
The Vitamin Kid Lupito Andrew, Eugene, and León Márez Deborah and Theresa Márez Juan, Lucas, Mateo, and Pedro Luna Father Byrnes Chávez Jasón Chávez Jasón Chávez’s Indian Prudencio Luna Miss Violet Miss Maestas Rosie Samuel Téllez Ultima’s teacher -
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VOCABULARY: define the following vocabulary terms from the sections of the
novel; make sure you use a definition that you understand and does not include the
vocabulary word.
Example:
1. partitioned- divided or distributed in portions or shares; separated; something that
has separated two sections of a room, for example.
Section 1 Chapters 1-3
1. Partitioned
2. vantage point
3. doily
4. tenaciously
5. exorcise
6. adobe
7. forage
8. vagabonds
9. wake
10. interminable
11. fulfillment
12. bosque
13. contorted
14. barrage
15. resolution
16. conquistadors
17. cowered
18. juniper
19. yucca plant
20. mesquite
21. cursory
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22. stucco
23. admonished
24. brayed
25. colonization
Section 2 Chapters 4-8
1. gunny sack
2. arroyo
3. intoned
4. labyrinth
5. teeming
6. succulent
7. gnarled
8. manzanilla
9. pilgrimage
10. droning
11. plaintive
12. clamored
13. mesas
14. refuge
15. blasphemy
16. retorted
17. melee
18. intercession
19. eddies
20. spectral
21. regenerated
22. turgid
23. audacity
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24. quavered
25. beamed
Section 3 Chapters 9-10
1. udders
2. stoically
3. ominous
4. hobbles
5. girders
6. tamarisk
7. subside
8. dejected
9. grafting
10. transfixed
11. incantations
12. stench
13. lashing (verb)
14. cohorts
15. furies
16. decreed
17. portents
18. atole
19. contrivance
20. emanated
21. cronies
22. cower
23. mantas
24. stupor
25. pungent
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26. acrid
27. pallor
28. bile
29. milled- (verb)
Section 4 Chapters 11-12
1. urgency
2. arbor
3. horde
4. grotto
5. drone
6. pagan
7. grandeur
8. prophecy
9. impending
10. countered
11. tempest
12. abated
13. replenish
14. slake
15. caballeros
16. premonition
17. scapular
18. vigilantes
19. talons
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Section 5 Chapters 13-14
1. shirk
2. oblivious
3. excommunication
4. perdition
5. initiate
6. tumultuous
7. cuckold
8. reveled
9. disillusioned
10. eucharist
11. desecrated
12. pulsating
13. delirium
14. flagellation
15. chasm
16. stagnant
Section 6 Chapters 15-18
1. padre
2. catechism
3. disquietude
4. reprimanded
5. cistern
6. monotonous
7. heresy
8. genuflected
9. devout
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10. mortal
11. venial
12. absolved
13. Purgatory
14. penance
15. anointment
16. nebulous
17. inferno
18. sheaths
19. appease
20. sacrilegious
Section 7 Chapters 19-22
1. sodality
2. chalice
3. solace
4. sardonically
5. skeptic
6. manipulated
7. inextricable
8. immortality
9. brackish
10. disemboweled
11. transfixed
12. culvert
13. gaping
14. divulged
15. steeped
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16. castrate
17. caressed
18. flanks
19. racked
20. diminish
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READING GUIDE QUESTIONS CHAPTERS 1-3, pages 1-38
Directions: Please answer all questions in COMPLETE SENTENCES. Use examples from the book to
support what you say. Answer ALL parts of a question given and EXPLAIN yourself thoroughly!
1. What are your impressions of the narrator? What words would you use to describe him? Why?
2. When and where does the story open? How long ago do you suppose that was in relation to the time in which Tony tells
his story? Why do you suppose he is telling us this story?
3. Who is Ultima? Why did she come to live with Tony's family? How do Tony's family members feel about her joining
them?
4. Why is Ultima called a "curandera"?
5. Describe the Marez's family life. What is Tony's routine? What are his chores? Would you like to belong to Tony's
family? Explain why or why not.
6. What is the llano? How do Tony's mother and father view it differently? How did Tony's father's life change after his
wife persuaded him to leave the llano?
7. What did Tony's mother once say about his dreams? Why do you suppose he stopped telling her about his dreams?
8. Read carefully Tony's dream on page 5. What conflicts are evident in the dream? Why do you suppose Tony had this
dream? What does he learn when he questions his mother about the details of his birth.
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9. What values are Tony's parents trying to pass on to their children? How do you know they value these things? (Hint:
How can you tell, for instance, that they value good manners?)
10. How are Tony's parents' hopes for his future different? Which course do you suppose his life will take?
11. Where are Tony's brothers and how do his parents feel about it?
12. Why is it that half the time Tony does not understand what his sisters are saying? Do you think he is eager to learn
English? How does he seem to feel about the prospect of going to school? How do you think he will like it? Why?
13. Why is Tony afraid, at first, of the hooting of Ultima's owl? What are some common beliefs about owls that we hold
today (think about cartoons, ads, children's movies, horror movies etc.)
14. The murder of the sheriff is mentioned on the first page then discussed again by the boys on page 36. The author uses
this plot structure throughout the novel-briefly mentioning a key episode, then elaborating on that incident later in the
story. Why do you suppose Anaya does this? How is it effective?
15. Why is Lupito killed? What do you think the men should have done? Do you think there was any other solution? How
is Tony affected by the killing?
16. What are your impressions of the older boys Tony sees at church?
17. Tony mentions the "rebellion of my brothers against my father" (1-2). How do you suppose they will rebel?
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READING GUIDE QUESTIONS CHAPTERS 4-8, pages 39-69
Directions: Please answer all questions in COMPLETE SENTENCES. Use examples from the book to
support what you say. Answer ALL parts of a question given and EXPLAIN yourself thoroughly!
1. Would you say that Ultima is Tony's "mentor"? Explain.
Why do you think he refers to the herbs and roots he and Ultima collect as their "magic harvest" and to Ultima's eyes as
"owl eyes?"
2. Why do you suppose Tony imitates Ultima's walk?
When he does that, why is he "no longer lost in the enormous landscape of hills and sky"?
3. Why does Tony's family go to El Puerto every autumn? How does he feel about these annual "pilgrimages"?
4.
Compare and contrast Tony's beliefs about God and the Virgin of Guadalupe.
5. Why is it that "the sun did not sing as it came over the hill" (51) on the first day of school? How is Tony feeling?
6. How does Tony's first day turn out? What's good about it? What's not so good?
7. What sorts of arguments do Tony's parents have? Do you think they love each other?
8. Why do you suppose Tony's mother does not want him to hear the "story of the first Luna priest" (52)?
9. Why does Tony wonder "if the power of good and evil (are) the same" (55)? What do you think?
10. What is the homecoming like for Tony's brothers? What conflicts arise?
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11. What do you think Tony's dream reveals about what he is feeling (61)?
12. Make a prediction about what will happen to Tony's brothers.
READING GUIDE QUESTIONS CHAPTERS 9-10, pages 70-105
Directions: Please answer all questions in COMPLETE SENTENCES. Use examples from the book to
support what you say. Answer ALL parts of a question given and EXPLAIN yourself thoroughly!
1. What conflicting desires are revealed in Tony's dream (70-71)?
2. Why don't Tony's brothers want to go to California with their father? What other choices do they have? Do you think
they are making the best choice? Explain.
3. What do you suppose Andrew meant when he said that some day Tony would beat the Vitamin Kid and "Some day you
will beat us all" (75)? Do you think he is right? Explain. How do Andrew and Tony feel about each other? Explain.
4. Why do Tony and the others wait for the world to end?
5. What story does Samuel tell Tony about the Carp? How do you think the story made Tony feel?
6. Who is Lucas? What does he see before he grows ill?
7. Why do you think Ultima takes Tony along with her to cure Lucas? Why do you think he throws up in the morning?
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8. Why do you suppose Ultima succeeds in a cure for Lucas where others have failed? Why wasn't she called to help
sooner?
9. Why does Ultima stick a pin into each of three dolls?
10. What does Grandfather give Ultima following the cure? Why? What have you learned so far about Mexican custom
from this story?
11. Prediction: Will Tony's classmates praise or bad-mouth Ultima? Explain.
READING GUIDE QUESTIONS CHAPTERS 11-12, pages 106-135
Directions: Please answer all questions in COMPLETE SENTENCES. Use examples from the book to
support what you say. Answer ALL parts of a question given and EXPLAIN yourself thoroughly!
1. Who is Cico? What secret does he share with Tony? Why, do you suppose?
2. Why do you think the boys jump on Tony (111)? What is Cico's insight about how people act in a group? Do you think
he is right? Explain.
3. Why do you suppose no one has ever caught the golden carp? Do you think someone will catch him someday? Explain.
4. What story does Cico tell about the mermaids?
5. According to Cico, what will happen to all sinners? Do you think Ultima believes that story? Explain.
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6. What are your impressions of Tony's father? Why does he drink? Do you feel sorry for him? Explain.
7. How does the death of Tenorio's daughter put Ultima in danger? Do you think Ultima has anything to do with the
death?
8. Why doesn't the crowd hurt Ultima? Why do you think the author includes the final comment: "Whether someone had
broken the cross they made, or whether they had fallen, I would never know" (135)?
9. Predict how the third grade will be different from the first grade for Tony.
READING GUIDE QUESTIONS CHAPTERS 13-14, pages 136-176
Directions: Please answer all questions in COMPLETE SENTENCES. Use examples from the book to
support what you say. Answer ALL parts of a question given and EXPLAIN yourself thoroughly!
1. Why didn't any of Tony's uncles come to warn Ultima? Do you think they should have gotten involved? Do they regret
it? Explain.
2. According to Tony's uncle, why is the Trementina coffin made of cottonwood? Why does the family want a mass so
badly?
3. How does Tony feel when he realized that "things wouldn't always be the same" (143)? What is he afraid of?
4. How does Ernie give Tony a hard time? Why do you suppose Ernie does this? How does Tony handle the problem?
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5. Why is it that Ultima and Andrew, but not Tony's mother, are worried about Tony's going off in the blizzard to school?
How does she treat her daughters differently from her son?
6. What does Samuel's father mean when he says that "the blood of a man thickens with the desire for revenge, and if a
man is to be complete again then he must let some of that thick blood flow" (150)? Do you agree? Explain. Whose blood
do you predict will flow?
7. What are your impressions of Horse? Quote two examples of how he has been described in horse-like terms in the
story. Why do you think he is the way he is?
8. Where do you see the narrator repeatedly describing the scene as "like a tomb"? What is the effect on the atmosphere of
this section of the story? What is the contrast between the description of the play and the silence afterward?
9. Why do Narciso and Tenorio fight? Why doesn't Tony help Narciso or run away?
10. What inner conflict does Tony experience as he stands outside of Rosies? How does Tony feel about what he has
seen? Why do you think he feels the way he does?
11. Why does Tony follow Narciso but not join him? How do you think things would have ended differently if Tony had
stayed closer to Narciso?
12. What does the bridge symbolize for Tony? Could he have saved Narciso? What does he do for the dying Narciso?
What other violent death had this young boy seen?
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13. Why do you think Tony grows ill after witnessing the killing? What worries are revealed in his dream (172-176)?
14. How will Narciso's death affect Tony? (Will he grow bitter? More religious? Vengeful?) Explain.
READING GUIDE QUESTIONS CHAPTERS 15-18, pages 177-216
Directions: Please answer all questions in COMPLETE SENTENCES. Use examples from the book to
support what you say. Answer ALL parts of a question given and EXPLAIN yourself thoroughly!
1. Where is Narciso's body found? Why do you suppose the coroner's jury found the cause of death to be accidental or
self-inflicted?
2. Do you think Andrew feels guilty that he didn't do anything to help Narciso? Why do you suppose Tony doesn't tell
him he saw him at Rosie's house?
3. Why do you suppose Andrew leaves with his brothers instead of finishing school?
4. What do you learn about Narciso in chapter 15 that explains his behavior throughout the book?
5. What does the car accident show you about Tony's brothers? Do you agree with Leon that "it's nobody's fault" (182)?
Why do you think the brothers do not get yelled at?
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6. Why don't Tony's brothers go help their dad fix the windmill? Why doesn't he ask for their help?
7. Why does Tenorio continue to threaten Ultima? Do you think he would have left Ultima alone if his second daughter
had not grown ill? Explain. Do you think Ultima is behind that illness? Explain.
8. According to Ultima, why was Tenorio standing under the Juniper tree where he killed Narciso? What would he have to
do to be forgiven?
9. Why do you suppose Ultima is not afraid of Tenorio?
10. What are your impressions of Florence? How is he different from the other boys? Why doesn't he believe in God?
Would you say he is cynical? Explain. (Make sure you know what cynical means before you answer.)
11. Why does Tony feel close to Florence? Does he make Tony question his own beliefs? Whose moral reasoning would
you say is at a higher level-Tony's or Florence's? Explain.
12. How does Florence's reasoning about Hell compare with that of the priest's?
13. Why do Willie and Roque fight? What animal comparisons does the author use to describe the fight and the boys'
reaction to it? Why do you suppose Anaya does that?
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14. How does the priest describe eternity to the boys and girls? What is his purpose?
15. Why is Florence standing with his arms outstretched? Why do you think the author leaves us with that image at the
end of Chapter 17?
16. Predict if Tony will tell Florence about the carp. Will Tony overcome his doubts about God?
READING GUIDE QUESTIONS CHAPTERS 19-21, pages 217-243
Directions: Please answer all questions in COMPLETE SENTENCES. Use examples from the book to
support what you say. Answer ALL parts of a question given and EXPLAIN yourself thoroughly!
1. What did Tony hope would happen when he received first communion? What really happened afterward?
2. Why does Tellez come to Tony's father? How can you tell Tony's father is more skeptical than his mother? Why does
Tony's father change his mind?
3. What is your explanation for the strange things that have been going on?
4. How does Ultima explain the trouble at the Tellez's? Ultima does not hesitate about helping, but what does she remind
Tony's father in relation to giving the help? What are your thoughts about her reminder?
5. Why do you suppose Tony has the dream he does the night after helping Ultima at the Tellez's (235)? Is the
disemboweling of the three brothers in the dream like anything that has actually happened?
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6. What doubts does Tony share with Cico? What does Cico mean when he says that "the god of the church is a jealous
god" (237)?
7. Why do Tony and Cico decide to tell Florence about the carp? Why do you suppose the author had Florence die before
they can tell him? How do you suppose Florence would have reacted to seeing the carp?
8. How does the author make it seem as if nature is almost in sympathy with Tony at the end of chapter 21? (quote at least
2 examples).
9. Predict how the conflict between Tenorio and Ultima will end.
READING GUIDE QUESTIONS CHAPTER 22, pages 243-262
Directions: Please answer all questions in COMPLETE SENTENCES. Use examples from the book to
support what you say. Answer ALL parts of a question given and EXPLAIN yourself thoroughly!
1. What do you make of the dream that Tony has after Florence's death (243-244)? Why do you suppose he confuses the
three dead figures with his brothers?
2. From what experience or information might the image of the priests pouring the blood of dead pigeons into the chalice
have come from? When he cries "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me" (244) whom is he echoing?
3. What does Ultima mean when she advises Tony that "you are growing and growth is change. Accept the change, make
it a part of your strength" (244)? Where do you see Tony apply this philosophy before the end of the story?
4. In what ways does Tony become a man during that summer?
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5. The first priest in the area was mentioned earlier in the story and Tony's mother did not want him to hear the story (52).
As has been typical of this author's style he comes back to this idea. What do we finally learn about the first priest in the
area?
6. According to Tony's father, why is there evil in the world? What do you think of this explanation? What would
Florence think of it?
7. Is it true for Tony that, as Ultima taught, "the tragic consequences of life can be overcome by the magical strength that
resides in the human heart?" Explain.
8. Does Ultima forgive Tenorio? Is Ultima afraid to die? According to her, why will balance now be restored?
9. Do you think Tony ever became a priest? Explain.
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Bless Me, Ultima CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS- Put the following events in the correct order.
_____Antonio and Andrew walk together into town in the mornings.
_____The Márez family goes to El Puerto de los Lunas to help with the harvest.
_____Lupito is killed near the river.
_____The school term ends, and Antonio passes from the first to the third grade.
_____Antonio starts school.
_____Antonio's brothers return from the war.
_____Cico shows Antonio the golden carp.
_____Antonio's brothers get restless and plan to leave Guadalupe.
_____Ultima comes to live with the Márez family.
_____Florence drowns at Blue Lake
_____The Márez family returns to El Puerto de los Lunas to help the Lunas with the harvest.
_____Antonio returns begins third grade.
_____León and Eugene leave for Santa Fe, New Mexico.
_____Antonio learns that Uncle Lucas has been bewitched and helps Ultima heal him.
_____Samuel tells Antonio about the legend of the golden carp.
_____Antonio and his classmates perform the Christmas play at school.
_____One of Tenorio's daughters dies.
_____Tenorio and his men threaten Ultima at the Márez home.
_____Tenorio shoots and kills Narciso.
_____Tenorio kills Ultima's owl, and Ultima dies.
_____Narciso and Tenorio get into a fight at the Longhorn Saloon.
._____Antonio and his classmates make their first holy communion.
_____Antonio returns to school after Christmas vacation.
_____Tenorio tells Antonio that he will kill Ultima.
_____Antonio begins catechism lessons.
_____Antonio goes to El Puerto alone to spend the summer with his Luna relatives.
_____Two of Antonio's brothers return after having been in a car accident and burning their vehicle.
_____Florence questions the existence of God and pushes Antonio to consider other viewpoints.
_____Antonio goes to Agua Negra with Ultima and Gabriel to help a friend with bewitchment problems.
_____Antonio learns that another of Tenorio's daughters has died.
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