How does Lupito die in the story?
The sheriff's brother says Lupito should be shot, that he is an animal; Antonio's father says that they should use reason, not force. Lupito rises, fires his pistol into the air to draw their fire — and is killed. Terrified, Antonio watches Lupito die, gasping and asking for Antonio's blessing. At home, Ultima calms the frightened boy.
What kind of character is Ultima in Bless Me?
Bless Me, Ultima Characters. The protagonist and narrator of the novel, a young Chicano boy growing up in Guadalupe, New Mexico. Ultima. A kind, elderly curandera (healing-woman) who comes to live with the Márez family. Ultima has strange powers and shares a deep connection with the earth.
How old is Antonio in Bless Me Ultima?
Character List. Antonio Márez - The precocious protagonist of Bless Me, Ultima, Antonio is six years old at the beginning of the novel. Antonio is serious, thoughtful, and prone to moral questioning, and his experiences force him to confront difficult issues that blur the lines between right and wrong.
Who is Lupito and why does Gabriel want to kill him?
The murderer is a man named Lupito who was driven crazy by his experiences during the war. The sheriff was sitting and drinking coffee when Lupito walked up and shot him in the head. Chávez wants Gabriel to help him kill Lupito, as Chávez must avenge his brother.
What did Lupito do in Bless Me Ultima?
Lupito begs Antonio for his blessing as he dies. Antonio runs home, sobbing and reciting the Act of Contrition, the last prayer that Catholics say before dying. When he realizes that Ultima's owl has been with him the whole time, he loses his fear. He fears that the river will be stained with blood forever.
Who did Lupito shoot in Bless Me Ultima?
One Saturday night, a drunken war veteran, Lupito, kills the sheriff, and Gabriel joins the sheriff's posse at the river.
What happened Lupito soul?
When Antonio wakes, he ponders the fate of Lupito's soul and those of the men who killed him. He thinks that, according to Catholic principles, Lupito must be in hell because Lupito died having committed a mortal sin. He hopes that God will forgive Lupito, but he thinks sadly that God does not forgive anyone.
Who is Chavez in Bless Me Ultima?
Gabriel MárezAntonio Juan Márez y LunaMaría Luna de MárezNarcisoUltimaBless Me, Ultima/Characters
Who died in Bless Me Ultima?
One night, his innocence is threatened when he witnesses the death of Lupito, a soldier who recently returned from World War II. Lupito is shot to death by a mob after he kills the sheriff in a moment of post-traumatic delirium.
Who all dies in Bless Me Ultima?
Ayana's Bless Me, Ultima, five characters die throughout the course of the novel: the town sheriff, Lupito (a crazed World War II veteran), Narciso (his father's friend), Florence (Antonio's friend), and Ultima.
Who is Antonio's favorite saint?
Answers 1. Antonio is still extremely preoccupied with Lupito's death and his questions of sin and punishment. The Virgin of Guadalupe is his favorite saint because he associates her with forgiveness and purity.
Does Antonio become a priest?
In the fifth dream, Antonio accepts the role of a priest as his destiny and resists being with sinful women.
Why is Tenorio angry with Ultima?
Narciso says Tenorio's daughter died that day, and Tenorio has come to accuse Ultima of her murder and kill her as a witch. Tenorio claims to have found Ultima's bag of herbs under his daughter's bed.
What sickness does Lupito suffer from?
Lupito is a minor character in Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya. He is a veteran of the U.S. military and now suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD.
What does Tenorio represent in Bless Me Ultima?
Tenorio is the embodiment of evil. He is a man of action who serves as the antagonist against Ultima and Antonio. Little is known about him except that the villagers believe that his wife was, and that his daughters are, black witches.
Is Ultima Antonio's grandmother?
Into this dichotomy Anaya places Antonio's Page 2 Mother, Maria Marez, who sees one path for her young son, Antonio's father, Gabriel Marez, who sees another path, and finally Ultima, Antonio's surrogate grandmother, who actually impacts the boy's life path.
What happens in chapter 4 of Bless Me Ultima?
As the summer comes to an end, Antonio spends his mornings walking with Ultima, gathering herbs and medicines from the llano. During this happy time, Antonio grows to love both the llano and the river. Ultima teaches him that plants have spirits like people and tells him stories about the old days.
How did the death of Narciso affect Antonio?
Narciso's death goes unpunished by the townspeople, and Antonio becomes aware that social perceptions often determine justice. Because Narciso was a drunkard, the townspeople didn't care much about his death. Antonio, on the other hand, saw him as a good man and as one of the magic people.
How does Ultima's death affect Antonio?
Ultima's death marks the birth of Antonio's manhood. His initiation into a deeper understanding has begun. He is no longer afraid of death and does not have to look to the gods of his dreams for direction because he knows to look within himself and to life for strength.
What happens in chapter three of Bless Me Ultima?
Antonio wakes up to the white sun and finds that Ultima's potion has healed his cuts. He thinks about Lupito's soul and wonders if it is in hell, Purgatory, or wandering like la Llorona. Lupito committed a mortal sin, so he is probably in hell. Antonio hopes that God would forgive him, but God doesn't forgive anyone.
Who is the elderly woman in Ultima?
A kind, elderly curandera (healing-woman) who comes to live with the Márez family. Ultima has strange powers and shares a deep connection with the earth. She befriends Antonio and becomes his mentor and guide. Ultima… read analysis of Ultima
Who saved Lucas from the Trementina sisters?
Another of Antonio 's Luna uncles, Lucas is cursed by the Trementina sisters and saved by Ultima .
Who is the antagonist in the novel El Puerto?
Tenorio Trementina. The antagonist of the novel, Tenorio owns a saloon in El Puerto. It is implied that he practices witchcraft, and his daughters are brujas (witches). When Ultima turns their own curse against them he vows… read analysis of Tenorio Trementina.
Who are Tenorio's daughters?
Tenorio 's daughters, brujas (or witches) who curse Lucas and then are punished by Ultima. Two of them die, fueling Tenorio's rage against Ultima.
Who is Antonio's father?
Antonio 's father, a former vaquero (cowboy) of the llano. Gabriel prizes freedom above all else, and is often bitter against the town and his wife for taking him from the llano. He drinks whiskey… read analysis of Gabriel Márez
Who killed Narciso in the movie?
He has a special power of making plants grow and is a force of goodness in Antonio 's world, protecting the family and defending Ultima until he is killed by Tenorio .
Who is Ultima in the movie La Grande?
Ultima ("la Grande") The elderly "folk healer" who comes to live with the Márez family. She has been a midwife to many women in the area and is sought for assistance by those who believe they have been cursed. She mentors Antonio during her final years.
Who is Pedro Luna?
Pedro Luna A brother of María Márez and Lucas Luna. He is Antonio's favorite uncle. He mentors Antonio one summer and kills Tenorio when he tries to shoot Antonio. Prudencio Luna Antonio's maternal grandfather. He is the elderly patriarch of the Lunas.
Who is Antonio's mother?
She mentors Antonio during her final years. María Luna y Márez The mother of Antonio, spouse of Gabriel Márez, and close friend of Ultima. She is a devoutly religious woman with a strong conviction that Antonio should become a priest. She opposes the lifestyle of the cattlemen and seeks the stability and rhythms of farming.
Who is Deborah Márez?
Deborah Márez The fourth child of Gabriel and María Márez. Deborah has been in school for two years and now speaks only English.
Who is Cico in the book The Golden Carp?
Cico The mysterious friend of Antonio who takes him to the hidden pond where the golden carp lives. He tells Antonio the prophecy of the golden carp and the story of the mermaid at the Hidden Lakes. He is also one of the magic people. Like Ultima, he has clear, bright eyes.
Who is Tenorio Trementina?
Tenorio Trementina The malevolent barkeeper who accuses Ultima of placing curses on his three daughters. He is driven by hatred and revenge. He kills Narciso and Ultima's owl. Samuel A schoolboy friend of Antonio who philosophizes with him and tells him the story about the golden carp.
What does Antonio learn from Ultima?
Following an immediate bond with Ultima, Antonio learns of the many herbs and barks, which she uses in her ceremonies. Tony's progress in learning about life is grounded in Ultima, who is highly respected by his parents. However, one night Antonio witnesses the death of a man back from the war, which makes him question his religion and identity, and sparks his journey towards manhood. Antonio begins school in the fall, where he is portrayed as an excelling student, which greatly pleases his mother.
What does the owl sing in Ultima?
Ultima's Owl – Embodies Ultima's soul, the power of her mysticism, and her life force. The song the owl sings softly outside Antonio's window at night indicates Ultima's presence and magical protection in Antonio's life. Ultima's owl scratches Tenorio's eye out as he stands in Gabriel's doorway and demands the right to take Ultima away from Gabriel's house. By the end of the novel Tenorio has figured out the connection between Ultima and her owl. By killing Ultima's owl, Tenorio destroys Ultima's soul and life force, which leads quickly to her death. Antonio takes on the responsibility of burying the owl and realizes that he is really burying Ultima.
What does Tenorio do to Ultima?
By the end of the novel Tenorio has figured out the connection between Ultima and her owl. By killing Ultima's owl, Tenorio destroys Ultima's soul and life force, which leads quickly to her death. Antonio takes on the responsibility of burying the owl and realizes that he is really burying Ultima.
What is Ultima's role in the community?
Her role in the community is as mediator.
What does Ultima teach Tony?
Ultima understands the philosophy and the morality of the ancient peoples of New Mexico and teaches Tony through example, experience and critical reflection, the universal principles that explain and sustain life. Although she is generally respected in the community, people sometimes misunderstand her power.
Where was Ultima filmed?
The Vortex Theatre in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in partnership with the National Hispanic Center, produced a full stage production of the show from March 26, to April 25, 2010. It was directed by Valli Marie Rivera and again adapted by the author himself. Juanita Sena-Shannon played Ultima to rave reviews.
Who is the most widely read author in Hispanic communities?
The New York Times reports that Anaya is the most widely read author in Hispanic communities, and sales of his classic, Bless Me, Ultima (1972) have surpassed 360,000. After Quinto Sol's initial publication of Bless Me, Ultima in 1972, critics by and large responded enthusiastically.
What does Antonio do when Lupito asks for a blessing?
Furthermore, Lupito forces Antonio to take the figurative role of priest when Lupito asks Antonio for a blessing. Antonio must suddenly deal with the moral significance of an adult dilemma.
What prayer does Lupito say before he dies?
Lupito begs Antonio for his blessing as he dies. Antonio runs home, sobbing and reciting the Act of Contrition, the last prayer that Catholics say before dying. When he realizes that Ultima’s owl has been with him the whole time, he loses his fear. He fears that the river will be stained with blood forever.
Why is Antonio happy with Ultima?
Antonio is happy because he and Ultima quickly become friends. Ultima takes Antonio on walks to gather herbs and teaches him about their healing properties. Antonio says that he begins to hear the voice of the river. He senses that his family’s peaceful isolation is about to end. Jasón’s father, Chávez, comes to the Márez home shouting that Lupito, a local war veteran, shot Chávez’s brother, the sheriff, dead. When Gabriel joins Chávez and the other men searching for Lupito, Antonio secretly follows them to the river. He sees Lupito, armed with a pistol, hidden in the water. Antonio makes a small noise, and Lupito looks down at him. But just then, the searchlights fall on Lupito, and he is confronted by his pursuers. Lupito runs off again into the reeds, out of sight of the men on the bridge. Gabriel and Narciso, the town drunk, try to explain to the mob that Lupito is shell-shocked because of the war, but after crying out something about Japanese soldiers, Lupito shoots his pistol into the air, drawing the fire of his pursuers. Lupito begs Antonio for his blessing as he dies.
Why is Lupito shell shocked?
Gabriel and Narciso, the town drunk, try to explain to the mob that Lupito is shell-shocked because of the war, but after crying out something about Japanese soldiers, Lupito shoots his pistol into the air, drawing the fire of his pursuers. Lupito begs Antonio for his blessing as he dies.
Why does Gabriel talk to Ultima?
Gabriel talks to Ultima about his desire to move to California, a wish he now feels will never come true because his older sons are fighting in World War II, and he cannot move his young family alone. Antonio is happy because he and Ultima quickly become friends.
Why did La Llorona kill her children?
Some versions of the tale suggest that La Llorona kills her children because their father leaves her or makes her jealous of her children. Many versions of the legend suggest that she died or killed herself when she realized what she had done.
What happens to Antonio after Lupito's death?
After he witnesses Lupito’s death, Antonio becomes preoccupied with sin, punishment, and the loss of innocence. Antonio’s confrontation with ideas of good and evil manifests itself in his use of religion to try to understand the world.
Why was Lupito killed?
Basically, Lupito, a veteran, is killed because he murdered the town sheriff, who is also Chavez's brother.
What does Antonio's scream mean in the movie Lupito?
Antonio's scream alerts the men to Lupito's presence, and someone shines a light in the vicinity of his location. Eventually, Lupito lets out several unearthly screams, warning of approaching Japanese soldiers. By now, we understand that the experiences of war have turned Lupito into a tormented dysfunctional version of his former self. In the end, Lupito is shot dead by several of the men in the posse.
What is the significance of the killing of Lupito?
The killing of Lupito is the major event in Antonio's life that sets in motion his preoccupation with sin and punishment. He is concerned about the salvation of Lupito's soul and the absolution of Gabriel and Narciso for their participation in the death of Lupito. Thrust into the role of priest by Lupito, Antonio becomes more and more obsessed with the trajectory of his destiny.
What does Ultima do in a dream?
At home, Ultima calms the frightened boy. Later, in a dream, he announces to his three older brothers, who are fighting far away in World War II, and who boast of their Márez blood, that it is necessary that he, seemingly only a Luna, like their mother, join them as they leave to build a castle on the other side of the River of the Carp; only he can "lift the waters of the muddy river in blessing" for their new home.
What does Ultima teach Antonio about the herbs and roots?
Ultima quickly settles into the family's workday routine but takes sufficient time to teach Antonio about the herbs and roots she uses for her medicines ; she also tells him that his spirit shares in the spirit of all things — including that of the river. Until now, Antonio has been afraid of the soul of the river.
Who is the weeping woman?
la llorona the weeping woman; a mythical character alleged to have drowned her children, and not having been allowed into heaven, she is destined to search the river for their souls.
Who is the screwed one?
chingada the screwed one; the reference is to Doña Marina, the Indian girl who served as mistress and translator to the conqueror of Mexíco, Hernán Cortes.
Who killed Lupito in the head?
The sheriff was sitting and drinking coffee when Lupito walked up and shot him in the head. Chávez wants Gabriel to help him kill Lupito, as Chávez must avenge his brother. Gabriel tries to calm him down but Chávez insists, and they get their rifles and leave.
What does Antonio think about Lupito's death?
This is the first time Antonio has seen someone die. He thinks about Lupito's war madness and prays for his brothers, who are still away fighting. Lupito's death sets off Antonio's conflict over sin, the fate of the soul after death, and the punishments decreed by religion.
What does Ultima give Antonio?
Antonio enters the house and Ultima greets him gives him some medicine to drink. She tries to soothe his questions about Lupito 's soul, and says he will learn the strange ways of men someday. She washes his cuts with a potion, and Antonio falls asleep.
What does Ultima do in the movie?
Ultima quickly assumes the family's routine, helping with the chores and listening to Gabriel 's frustrated dream of moving to California with his sons and working in the vineyards. Sometimes Gabriel cries when he thinks of how the war and the town have ruined his ambitions. Antonio walks through the llano with Ultima and learns about the beauty ...
What does Antonio do when he hears the song of Ultima's Owl?
Antonio runs away through sharp branches that cut him, repeating the Acts of Contrition – the prayers of a priest for Lupito 's soul. He starts to cry , but is soon comforted when he hears the song of Ultima's owl. He thinks about his family, and the town, and river now stained with blood.
What does Antonio learn from Ultima?
Antonio walks through the llano with Ultima and learns about the beauty of the earth, and the names of herbs and animals, and to no longer fear the presence of river. Ultima's natural role as Antonio's guide begins.
What does Lupito's post traumatic hallucinations prove?
Lupito's post-traumatic hallucinations here prove that he cannot be held responsible for his actions. This fact makes the vigilante manhunt seem more unjust, and also presents a complex and ambiguous moral issue that Antonio must process.
Overview
Plot summary
Set in the small town of Guadalupe, New Mexico, just after World War II, Antonio Márez y Luna (Tony) tells his story from the memories of his adult self, who reflects on his growing up. The novel opens as the protagonist, Antonio, approaches the age of seven when his family decides to house Ultima, an elderly curandera. Ultima, known as “La Grande” in the Márez household, embodies the wisdom of her ancestors and carries the powers to heal, to confront evil, knowledge of how t…
Creation and purpose as an autobiography
Bringing Bless Me, Ultima to fruition took Anaya six years and an additional two years to find a publisher. From 1965 to 1971, Anaya struggled to find his own "voice" as the literary models he knew and had studied at the University of New Mexico (BA English, 1963) did not fit him as a writer. He has also remarked on the unavailability of many authors at that time who could serve as mentors for his life experience as a Chicano. Anaya says that the great breakthrough in finding h…
Historical context
Bless Me, Ultima focuses on a young boy's spiritual transformation amidst cultural and societal changes in the American Southwest during World War II. Anaya's work aims to reflect the uniqueness of the Hispano experience in the context of modernization in New Mexico—a place bearing the memory of European and indigenous cultures in contact spanning nearly half a millennium. The relationship between Anaya's protagonist, Antonio, and his spiritual guide, Ultim…
Literary interpretations
After the Mexican Revolution of 1910, the state officially constructed a Mexican national identity policy on the proposition that Mexicans are the product of a creative mixing of Indians and Europeans—that is, about a fusing together of cultures. This doctrine is expressed in official rhetoric, mythology and public ceremonial. In practice, however, the emphasis on culture gets conflated with the biological mixing of races, mestizaje in Spanish. The Revolution's goals includ…
Reception and legacy
As of 2012 , Bless Me, Ultima has become the best-selling Chicano novel of all time. The New York Times reports that Anaya is the most widely read author in Hispanic communities, and sales of his classic, Bless Me, Ultima (1972) have surpassed 360,000.
After Quinto Sol's initial publication of Bless Me, Ultima in 1972, critics by and l…
See also
• Apocalypse
• Bildungsroman
• Book Censorship in the United States
• Bricolage
• Esotericism
External links
• Ecstasy Ecstasy (emotion) retrieved April 9, 2012.
• Bless Me Ultima Themes.[22] retrieved April 1, 2012.
• Jack Komperda.(2008, August 1). Latino culture focus of reading program. Daily Herald,5. [23] Retrieved January 8, 2012, from ProQuest Newsstand. (Document ID: 1616340911).