Bless Me, Ultima Themes and Characters

Questions and Answers

What did Antonio discover about Narciso?

That he plants by the moon and stays drunk through the spring.

How did Antonio feel when he saw the golden carp?

He was excited and surprised but torn over which God to believe.

What feeling did Antonio and Cico share?

The presence of the river and the lakes.

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

Antonio described his mother's definition of learning to sin. What was it?

Losing one's innocence and becoming a man was learning to sin. 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

Why were Tenorio and the men coming to the Márez home?

Tenorio's daughter died and as revenge, Tenorio brought the men to suspect Ultima of being a witch and to kill her. Signup and view all the answers

What did Narciso say to shame the men who came with Tenorio?

That they were out playing vigilantes. Signup and view all the answers

Of what did Tenorio accuse Ultima?

Of being a witch and killing his daughter. Signup and view all the answers

What was the test for being a witch, and did Ultima pass it?

A witch could not walk through a door with the sign of a cross, and she passed it. Signup and view all the answers

What happened to Tenorio?

His eye was scratched out by Ultima's owl. Signup and view all the answers

What did Antonio find on the ground after the men had gone?

The two needles that had been used to make the cross. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Antonio's Discoveries and Emotions

Antonio learns that Narciso engages in moon-based planting and struggles with alcohol during spring.
Encountering the golden carp brings Antonio excitement mixed with confusion about his faith and beliefs.

Shared Connections and Beliefs

Antonio and Cico feel a profound connection to nature through the river and lakes they share.
Cico explains that the golden carp punishes sinners by causing the land to sink under the weight of their sins.

Themes of Innocence and Learning

Antonio describes his mother's view on maturity, stating that becoming a man is akin to learning to sin and losing innocence.
Through Ultima's stories, Antonio gains insight into his ancestors' rich history, encompassing both glory and tragedy.

Conflict and Accusations

Tenorio, seeking revenge for his daughter's death, leads men to the Márez home to accuse Ultima of witchcraft.
Narciso confronts the men, criticizing them for acting as vigilantes without justification.
Tenorio wrongfully accuses Ultima of being responsible for his daughter's demise.

Witch Test and Consequences

The test to identify witches involves walking through a door marked with a cross, which Ultima successfully passes.
In a display of retribution, Ultima's owl scratches Tenorio's eye as a protective act.

Aftermath and Revelations

Following the confrontation, Antonio discovers two needles on the ground, remnants used to create the protective cross.

Description

Explore the key themes and character dynamics in 'Bless Me, Ultima'. This quiz delves into Antonio's emotional journey, his connection with nature, and the cultural beliefs that shape his experiences. Test your understanding of the pivotal events and symbolisms in the story.