Bless Me, Ultima Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

How old is Antonio when Ultima comes to live with his family?

Almost seven

Why does Ultima live with the Marez family?

She is old and lonely and the Marez family wants to return a favor

Name and describe the member of the Marez family.

Gabriel - Father, Maria - Mother, Tony - fourth (youngest) son, Eugene - third son, Andrew - second son, Leon - first son, Deborah - first daughter, Theresa - second daughter

What was Ultima's occupation?

Curandera, natural healer Signup and view all the answers

What was the conflict between Gabriel and María concerning Antonio's future?

About whether he would be a Marez or Luna or if he would become a vaquero or farmer Signup and view all the answers

What pet did Ultima bring with her?

Owl Signup and view all the answers

Describe the incident with Chavez.

Chavez came to the Marez family talking about how Lupito had killed Chavez's brother (sheriff) Signup and view all the answers

How did Antonio become a part of the gang with Abel, Bones, and Horse?

When he threw Horse Signup and view all the answers

How did Ultima feel about plants, the river, and other parts of nature?

They all have spirits Signup and view all the answers

What did the Marez family always do after supper?

Pray the rosary Signup and view all the answers

How did Ultima describe the Luna and Marez families?

She says the Lunas are quiet like the moon and that the Marez are wild like the ocean Signup and view all the answers

Why did Antonio's family go to El Puerto?

To help with the harvest and to visit his uncles Signup and view all the answers

How did Antonio feel about going to school?

Excited and sad to be away from his mother Signup and view all the answers

What was Antonio's biggest obstacle in school?

His difference in culture (Hispanic) and lack of English proficiency made him an outcast among the children Signup and view all the answers

What did Gabriel Marez want to do once his sons returned from the war?

Move to California Signup and view all the answers

In María's opinion, what was the cause of the boys' desires?

Marez blood Signup and view all the answers

What did the boys finally do?

Leon and Eugene finally left but Andrew stayed Signup and view all the answers

Who was Tenorio?

An evil and ugly man who had three daughters and owned a saloon in El Puerto. His wife had been known to work spells Signup and view all the answers

What did Antonio discover about Narciso?

That he plants by the moon and stays drunk through the spring Signup and view all the answers

What feeling did Antonio and Cico share?

The presence of the river and the lakes Signup and view all the answers

How did Cico say the Golden Carp would punish people?

The land would sink when it could not take the weight of sins Signup and view all the answers

What did Antonio learn from Ultima's stories?

The stories and legends of his ancestors and of their glory and tragedy Signup and view all the answers

What was the effect of the priest's stand on Tenorio and the townspeople?

Tenorio was not able to influence the people anymore Signup and view all the answers

Why did Antonio always look back when he walked away from the house?

He had a feeling that everything would be changed before he got home again Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Antonio and Ultima's Arrival

Antonio is almost seven years old when Ultima comes to live with the Marez family.
Ultima resides with the Marez family due to her old age and loneliness; the family wishes to honor a past favor.

The Marez Family Members

Gabriel is the father; Maria is the mother while Tony is their fourth son.
Eugene, Andrew, and Leon are the third, second, and first sons respectively, with Deborah and Theresa as the daughters.

Ultima's Role and Beliefs

Ultima serves as a curandera, a natural healer with knowledge of herbal remedies.
She believes that all elements of nature, including plants and rivers, possess spirits.

Family Conflicts

Gabriel and Maria dispute Antonio's future regarding his identity; whether he will align with the Marez or Luna family, or become a vaquero or farmer.

Events in El Puerto

Antonio's family travels to El Puerto to help with the harvest and visit uncles, highlighting familial ties.
An encounter with Chavez reveals the consequences of violence; Chavez blames Lupito for killing his brother, the sheriff.

School Experiences

Antonio feels excited yet sad about starting school; he is conflicted about being away from his mother.
Cultural differences and limited English proficiency make him feel isolated among peers.

The Brothers' Aspirations

Gabriel wishes to move to California once his sons return from the war, reflecting a desire for new opportunities.
María attributes the boys' adventurous spirit to their Marez heritage.

Notable Characters

Tenorio is characterized as an evil man with three daughters, owning a saloon, and linked to spells via his wife.
Antonio learns about Narciso, who plants by the moon phase and struggles with alcohol, showcasing the community's characteristics.

Friendship and Mythology

Antonio and Cico bond over their shared experience of connecting with nature, particularly the river and lakes.
Cico shares that the Golden Carp would punish people by causing land to sink under the weight of their sins, reflecting local beliefs.

Cultural Heritage

Through Ultima's stories, Antonio learns about his ancestors' history filled with glory and tragedy, enriching his cultural understanding.

Influence on Community Dynamics

The priest's stance affects Tenorio's influence over the townspeople, indicating a shift in power dynamics and beliefs in the community.

Emotional Reflections

Antonio often looks back when leaving home, driven by a feeling that significant changes may occur during his absence, symbolizing his connection to family and place.

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Description

Test your knowledge of the characters and key information from 'Bless Me, Ultima'. This set of flashcards covers important details about Antonio and his family dynamics with Ultima. Perfect for students looking to reinforce their understanding of the novel.