1. Themes, Motifs, Symbols, & Characters
Bless Me Ultima
Themes, Motifs, Symbols, & Characters

2. Rudolfo Anaya
Has taught English and Writing at Yale, University of Michigan, and UCLA
Called the “father of Chicano literature” and “poet of the *barrio”
*(in Spain and countries colonized by Spain) one of the divisions into which a town or city, together with the contiguous rural territory, is divided.
*a part of a large U.S. city, esp. a crowded inner-city area,
inhabited chiefly by a Spanish speaking population.

3. Rudolfo Anaya
He has written novels, one-act plays, short stories, an epic poem and a children’s story.
Most of his stories center on the lives of Hispanics in the American southwest
Themes focus on growing up and loss of faith.

4. Rudolfo Anaya
He has written novels, one-act plays, short stories, an epic poem and a children’s story.
Most of his stories center on the lives of Hispanics in the American southwest
Themes focus on growing up and loss of faith.

5. Literary Genre FOLKTALE-
a narrative form, like an epic, legend, myth, fable, etc., that is or had been retold within a culture for generations and is well known through repeated storytelling.
a simple, timeless story that deals with the customs, traditions, and beliefs of ordinary people.

6. Literary Genre BILDUNGSROMANS
A novel that deals with the development of a young person from adolescence to maturity;
More often called a “coming-of-age” story.

7. Magical Realism
Literary school in which supernatural, magical, or illogical elements appear writing an otherwise naturalistic narrative. Four major characteristics include hybridity, irony of the author’s perspective, authorial reticence, supernatural and natural

8. Magical Realism in BMU
Hybridity- shows a blending of opposing cultures between the Marez and Lunas, between Catholic and pagan/folktales
Irony of Author perspective- there is no change in tone between when Anaya describes natural and supernatural events
Authorial reticence- no opinion about the supernatural is expressed or interjected by Anaya
Supernatural and Natural- depictions of magic and nature are interwoven and given equal credibility and relevance

9. Major Themes Moral Independence Must come from within
No one “right” way
Morality found through choice, not obedience
Morality is doing what is good, regardless of the source (e.g.-religion)

10. Major Themes, cont. Identity Like morality, found within
Interdependent with morality (e.g.- morality = identity)
Struggle with conflicting cultures/religions
Catholicism/Paganism
Marez/Luna: cowboy/farmer
Anglo vs. Mexican
Florence’s death
Language barriers at school
Embracing this conflict = identity
True coming of age: “identity” discovered or reconciled
Never one thing: Only “one right way” = eternal child

11. Themes, cont. Innocence/Coming of Age Re-evaluating role of “sin”
Knowledge as loss of innocence
Learning/Education
Realization of moral complexity defines Tony’s loss of innocence & true coming of age
Rosie’s
Narcisso
Lupito (impetus)

12. Biblical Parallels Fisherman Narcisso’s Garden = Eden Eats “carrot”
Becomes aware (e.g. - golden carp)
Fisherman
Apostles
Peter

13. Important ‘stats’ & Characters
Setting
New Mexico (U.S. NOT Mexico)
Rural and isolated
1940’s/WW II
Gabriel & Maria
Marez = sea/Luna = moon
More than they appear
Gabriel: wise, sacrifices for family
Maria: loves fiercely

14. Characters, cont. Ultima (the Curandera Tony’s friends Mentor/guide
Power comes from her sincere sympathy & understanding of all
Death inevitable
Tony’s friends
Reveal how experience shapes identity
Refrain from judgment
Florence
Samuel & Cico

15. Symbols to Ponder Bridge Owl Golden Carp Virgen de Guadalupe Seasons
Dreams

16. Discussion Groups Superstition- pink Dreams- green Culture Shock- blue
Our Melting Pot- orange
Elderly Relatives- yellow

17. Superstition 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.

18. Dreams 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.

19. 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?

20. 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.

21. 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?

22. Folktales Can you name any folktales you have read or heard?
What elements do many folktales have in common?
What is the language like?
What sorts of dreams do you find in folktales?
What sorts of magic do you find in folktales?