What are some themes in Bless Me, Ultima?
Themes
- Revenge.
- Fear.
- Identity.
- Men and Masculinity.
- Fate and Free Will.
- Memory and the Past.
- The Supernatural.
- Coming-of-Age.
What are some quotes from Bless Me, Ultima?
Preview — Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya
- “It is because good is always stronger than evil.
- “Understanding comes with life.
- “It seemed the more I knew about people the more I knew about the strange magic hidden in their hearts.”
- “Ultima came to stay with us the summer I was almost seven.
What does Ultima believe about life?
She understands that life and spirituality can be viewed in many different and equally valid ways. Although the Catholic church does not recognize her mystical powers, Ultima respects the wisdom of the Catholic faith and attends mass regularly.
What does Ultima represent in Bless Me, Ultima?
Ultima symbolizes the mysterious powers of the indigenous peoples as well as the spirit of the land itself, although she is misunderstood by many to be an evil witch. Her owl acts as a protector and is also the embodiment of her soul, so she dies when it does.
How did Tony lose his innocence?
At the beginning of the novel, Antonio is an innocent boy, protected from reality thanks to his age and parents. The first time Antonio feels the loss of innocence is through the death of Lupito, a mad man shot by a mob for killing the town’s sheriff.
How is imagery used in Bless Me, Ultima?
In the death of Ultima and her owl, blood was never mentioned. Other significant imagery: In the novel, Rudolfo Anaya uses imagery to give you a feel of the environment in which the story takes place. At the end of the story, Antonio says, “Bless me, Ultima” (260). With these words, you find the meaning of the title.
What are Lupitos last words?
As he crawled out the river and the life left his blood stained body Lupito uttered his two last words to Antonio “Bless Me”.
What does Ultima represent?
With the help of Ultima, he begins to understand the cultures of both his mother and father and the significance of his surroundings. He learns the difference between good and evil and religion and pagan worship. Ultimately, Tony realizes Ultima is the symbol of knowledge and he chooses to follow in her path.
What does Ultima’s owl symbolize?
Ultima’s owl represents her life force and the power of her religious mysticism. The owl sings softly outside Antonio’s window at night. Its song symbolizes Ultima’s comforting presence in Antonio’s life and the protective power of her magic.
How does Ultima define a man’s destiny?
Who says that “a man’s destiny must unfold itself like a flower, with only the sun and the earth and water making it blossom, and no one else meddling in it”? Ultima.
What does Antonio’s dream symbolize?
Dreams. This gradual transformation, traced in dreams, reflects Antonio’s growth from childhood to maturity. His dreams also offer him a rich and variable set of images and symbols with which to understand his own life.