Bless Me Ultima Chapters 3-7 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Why do Antonio's parents quarrel every Sunday morning?

His father drinks and they quarrel about religion. He is not religious and does not like the priest.

For what reason does Antonio's mother say, 'and what a sin it is for a boy to grow into a man'?

The mother feels that the things men do destroy the pureness God gives.

What is Gabriel's (Antonio's dad) definition of a man?

He feels a man is built up by everything he sees and does.

Why is Antonio worried about going to school for the first time?

He will only be able to speak English. Signup and view all the answers

For what reasons is Antonio worried about his father's soul?

He is worried whether or not God will forgive his soul because he was on the bridge the night the men hunted and killed Lupito. Signup and view all the answers

How does Ultima help Antonio overcome his fear about his father's soul?

She tells him a man of the llano never takes the life of an llanero unless there is just cause and that only God forgives. Signup and view all the answers

Describe Horse.

He is part of Antonio's gang and loves to wrestle and uses foul language. Signup and view all the answers

Describe The Vitamin Kid.

He is part of Antonio's gang. He is a nervous kid and the fastest runner. Signup and view all the answers

Describe Florence.

He is part of Antonio's gang. He is tall and thin, has blonde hair, and does not believe in God. Signup and view all the answers

What is special about the 'yerba del manso'?

It was a plant that had a lot of magic and a cure for everything. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the proper ways to dig up a plant that is going to be used for Ultima's medicines.

First, you need to talk to it and tell it why you are pulling it from its home. Do not let the steel of the shovel touch the roots. Signup and view all the answers

For what reasons is the Virgin Mary (or Virgen de Guadalupe) an important symbol for Mexican people?

The Virgin made miracles and was the saint of the land. She presented herself to a little Indian boy in Mexico. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Antonio like praying to the virgin?

He likes to pray to the virgin because he feels he is looking at the real person, the mother of God, full of love. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Antonio believe it is important to take communion?

He feels it is important because it is not until we take God into our mouth and swallow Him that we are free of sin. Signup and view all the answers

In what ways do you think Antonio's dream about the virgin foreshadows events yet to happen in the story?

I think it foreshadows that he will not become a priest because the Virgen de Guadalupe was in mourning. Signup and view all the answers

Why are Antonio and his mother going to El Puerto?

They are going to help pick apples. Signup and view all the answers

How far away is the farm?

The farm is 10 miles away. Signup and view all the answers

Find a passage in this chapter that expresses how Antonio feels when he is at El Puerto.

Antonio enjoys being there; it was a world where people were happy, working, helping each other. Signup and view all the answers

In the passage, why do you think Antonio feels that he is seeing his family for the last time?

He is scared because he cannot speak English and does not seem to want to go. Signup and view all the answers

Where is Ultima's owl a source of comfort for Antonio?

Antonio saw the owl's bright eyes looking down on him and felt comforted. Signup and view all the answers

List two ways Antonio's first day of school begins to erode his Mexican heritage.

Antonio did not speak Spanish and did not eat his beans and chili in front of others. Signup and view all the answers

How does Antonio cope with the loneliness and homesickness he feels his first day of school?

Antonio snuck out to find other kids who shared his customs and language. Signup and view all the answers

In what ways does the return of Antonio's brothers from the war make everyone in the Marez household happy?

It makes their family complete again; the mother cried with joy and the father was full of life. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Family Dynamics and Beliefs

Antonio's parents argue every Sunday due to his father's drinking and differing religious beliefs; his father disdains the priest.
Antonio's mother believes that manly actions lead to the loss of innocence, viewing it as a sin for boys to mature into men.
Gabriel, Antonio's father, defines a man by his experiences and perceptions.

Antonio's Concerns and Spirituality

Antonio fears attending school because his English fluency is lacking, causing anxiety about fitting in.
He worries about his father's soul, questioning if God will forgive him for being present during Lupito's death.
Ultima reassures Antonio that a true man only takes life with just cause and emphasizes that only God decides forgiveness.

Characters in Antonio's Life

Horse is a gang member known for his love of wrestling and using vulgar language.
The Vitamin Kid, also part of the gang, is characterized as nervous and exceptionally fast.
Florence, another gang member, stands out for his height, thinness, and disbelief in God.

Nature and Herbs

"Yerba del manso" is a magical plant believed to have curing properties for various ailments.
Digging for medicinal plants requires a respectful approach; one must communicate with the plant and avoid metal touching its roots.

Cultural Symbols and Practices

The Virgin Mary, especially Virgen de Guadalupe, symbolizes miracles and connection to the land for Mexican people, appearing to an Indian boy in Mexico.
Antonio finds solace in prayer to the Virgin, perceiving her as a maternal figure filled with love and compassion.
He views communion as essential to rid oneself of sin, equating it to physical and spiritual liberation.

Antonio's Experiences and Growth

Dreaming of the Virgen de Guadalupe foreshadows Antonio's potential path away from becoming a priest.
Antonio and his mother travel to El Puerto to help with apple picking, which evokes enjoyment from their surroundings and community spirit.
His reflections on his family encapsulate their distinctive traits: Ultima's wisdom, his mother's dreams for him, and his father's rebelliousness.

School and Cultural Identity

Antonio's first day at school symbolizes a cultural shift as he struggles with the transition from Spanish to English-speaking environments.
Bullying over language and food highlights challenges to his Mexican heritage; classmates ridicule his Spanish and traditional meals.
To cope with loneliness, Antonio seeks companionship with other students who share his customs, restoring some of his comfort.

Homecoming and Family Unity

The return of Antonio's brothers from war brings joy and completeness to the Marez family, enhancing the mother's spirits and reaffirming the father's aspirations of relocating to California.

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Explore key themes and character dynamics in Chapters 3 to 7 of 'Bless Me, Ultima'. This quiz will deepen your understanding of Antonio's family struggles and the nuances of growing up in a religious yet conflicted environment.