Water– All through the book water is used as a symbol of
purity and innocence
. It represents life and it surrounds the town. At the beginning of the novel, the river is defiled by the blood of Lupito. The water of the river represents the sins and impurity of the town itself.
What does wind symbolize in Bless Me Ultima?
‘ The wind here is used to represent
forces of disturbance caused by nuclear testing taking place south of the town
, just as wind kicks up dust and blurs the view. In a part of the novel, Florence is used as a symbol in church.
What does the moon symbolize in Bless Me Ultima?
Antonio’s mother’s last name is Luna, which is the Spanish word for moon. That’s some pretty clear symbolism right off the bat, as the moon represents
Antonio’s mother and her people
. … The moon also symbolizes what her family stands for—farming, being tied to the land, and therefore staying in one place.
What does Florence symbolize in Bless Me Ultima?
One of Antonio’s friends from town, a blond boy who doesn’t believe in God. Florence perceptively points out the flaws in Catholic doctrine, and
is bitter against God
(or the lack thereof) for his harsh life and the evils of the world. He drowns before Antonio can show him the golden carp.
What does the vitamin kid symbolize in Bless Me Ultima?
The race across the bridge with the Vitamin Kid signifies
a new period in Antonio’s life
. This new period is increasingly multidimensional as he develops new friends and new mentors. Antonio is preoccupied with his destiny as he leaves his mother’s side to enter the outside world of school.
What is the significance of the title Bless Me Ultima?
By Rudolfo Anaya
On the surface, the title seems to refer to
Antonio’s last request of Ultima before she dies
. He flat out says, “Bless me, Ultima,” and Ultima blesses him and his life to come (22.656).
What literary devices are used in Bless Me Ultima?
- Allusion.
- Allegory.
- Bless Me, Ultima.
- Simile.
- Imagery.
- Literary Techniques.
- Epiphany.
- Flashback.
What are the themes in Bless Me Ultima?
- Revenge.
- Fear.
- Identity.
- Men and Masculinity.
- Fate and Free Will.
- Memory and the Past.
- The Supernatural.
- Coming-of-Age.
How does Cico explain the boys behavior?
Cico explains that
the golden carp prophesied that the weight of people’s sin would cause the land to sink and be swallowed by the underground lake beneath it
. When Antonio replies that it is not fair to the men who don’t sin, Cico tells him that all men sin.
Does Florence believe in God Bless Me Ultima?
Although he doesn’t believe in God
, Florence attends the catechism lessons because he wants to be with his friends. Florence’s mother died when he was three, and his father slowly killed himself with drink.
What happened to Florence in Bless Me Ultima?
The golden carp becomes the god of the here and now, of the beauty that exists in the present
. Antonio and Cico decide to inform Florence about the golden carp, but Florence drowns before they can do so.
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”
.
How did Ultima remove the curse?
Ultima asks Gabriel to place three bundles on the platform and set it all on fire. Gabriel informs Antonio that his father once told him that the Comanche burned their dead on platforms like this.
When the platform is burned completely
, Ultima declares that the curse is lifted.
What advice does Ultima give Tony at the end?
When Antonio awakes, Ultima suggests that he go to his uncles in El Puerto. Antonio has seen too much death. His uncles can teach him about growing life. Before he leaves, Ultima advises him
to be ready to make life’s changes part of his strength
.
Where does Tony live in Bless Me Ultima?
When Antonio Márez is almost seven years old, the old healer Ultima comes to stay with him and his family in their small house in
Guadalupe, New Mexico
. The family has taken in Ultima out of a respect for her healing powers, her knowledge of plant lore, and her long use of folk magic in service of the community.
What is the main conflict in Bless Me, Ultima?
major conflict As
Antonio moves from childhood to adolescence, he tries to reconcile his parents’ and his community’s conflicting cultural traditions
; Antonio’s goal is independent thought and action; he strives to make his own moral decisions and to accept responsibility for their consequences.
