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Cultural and historical contexts give birth to the dilemmas and themes atthe heart of the novel. Studying these contextsdetails or thetime and place canus inassistor the characters. In this lesson, use culturaland appreciating theintricatecomprehending the motivationsandhistorical contexts tobeginto explore the novel.Lesson TwoThe novel embraces myths frompresents myths, magic,FOCUS:Culture andand CatholicNewMexicanand miracles on manycultures. Blesslevels,Mexico long before the conquistadors andmulticultural heritage, borne out of long struggleswhowhofrom Europe.Newtestifies toamongNewlived intheir priests arrivedThe survival of these myths from various traditionsHistorydrawn from Spanishfrom native peoplestraditions, as well asMe, UltimaMexico'sdisparate peoplesfought for centuries over land, religion, and sovereignty.WarAt the end of Worldculture began to disappear.tanning to jobsAmerica modernized rapidly and the vaqueroII,Mass production drewin the cities.Theruralpeople away fromG.I. Bill offered promise of socialandgeographic mobility by providing college education and housing to returningsoldiers. Yetintensifiedpost-war America was alsobetween the UnitedStatesarms race escalated internationaland developmentLikesite formuch of thetraditions whilerestfullof threats.The Cold Warand the Soviet Union,as a nuclearNew Mexico servedtensions.these weapons, shrouded in mysteryNew Mexicansof America,as a testingandsecrecy.struggled to retain culturalmeeting the demands of post- WorldWarII society.Discussion ActivitiesListen to theCD—Whatcommunities ofyourbeliefsNewabouta curandera, andisMexico?illnessHowdoeswhatthisisher roleinthe puebloapproach to healing compare withand healing?Handout One and Handout Three. Ask the students to discuss thehistory of New Mexico as one of both cultural conflict and cultural exchange.Where do the religious beliefs of Catholic explorers and Native AmericansDistributeoverlap?Where dothey diverge?Writing ExerciseHave studentsidentifyimportant mythsintheirowncultures, either localorthem to write an essay that recounts a myth in their own words,and then discuss what religious or cultural values the myth addresses. Why is thisnational. Invitestory useful or meaningfulCa3intheir culture?HomeworkRead Chaptershopefor theTres, Cuatro,andCinco.Whydoes Antonio's uncle say that thereyoung protagonist?NationalEndowmentfor the ArtsTHEBIGREAD 5is

Thenarratortellsthe story with a specific perspective informed bv his orher beliefs and experiences.Thewithin the novel.ignorance andThenarrator can be a major orminor characternarrator weaves her or his point of view, includingthe telling of thebias, intoparticipates in the eventsA first-person narrator"I." A distanced narrator (oftentale.of the novel usingnot a character) does not participate in the events of the storv and usesthird person (he, she, they) to narrate the story.FOCUS:Thedistanced narrator canbe omniscient, able to read the minds of all characters within the novel.Ultimately, the type of narrator determines the point of view fromNarrativeand Point ofthe storvBlesstold.Me, Ultima\X e seeViewisisnarrated by Antonio from the first-person point of view.and experienceAntonioiswhichverythe novel's events through Antonio's eyes.allyoung when theopens, onlystory-of view remains limited because he does notthe world, especiallywhypeople actasfullyHis pointsix years old.understandmuchthey do. Antonio's narrationaboutistimes observant and at times perplexed about what he sees and hears.languages while discovering his multicultural identity.of Catholicism from his mother, and thefrom Ultima.Hewhich sometimesHelearnshis fatherand narration move among theseabout theof naturespiritualitydream of freedom frominherits thebrothers. His point of viewHeand Spanish, moving between the twonarrates the novel in ssion ActivitiesAs hetellsthe story,how does Antonio makesense of the conflicts heencounters? Does he seem to prefer the world and viewpoint ofher brothers,his fatherhisand the vaqueros, Ultima, or some other influence? Whatabout each of these points of view appeals to Antonio, makes himexcited, or secure?thingsinmother andWhichof these influencesparticular are confusingseems dominantfeel curious,in hiseyes?Whatfrom Antonio's point of view, either for him orfor the reader?E Writing ExerciseWritewitha paragraph thathismother andcompares and contrasts Antonio'sininside the house,livesoutside the house,Chapter Dos, andlater at his uncle's.Ultima, with theintroduced on the riverbankhelifedo these two worlds overlap orlifefirstHow,ifatintersect?HomeworkRead ChaptersSets, Siete,role of religionintheirOcho, and Nueve.lives,HoworinthelivesAsk the students toof people towhomthink about thethey are close.do God and morality shape Antonio? How does our sensebelief in what is right and wrong shape who we are?6*THE BIG READNationalEndowmentfor the ArtsofGodandall,

The maincharacter in aworkof literatureisThenewcalled the "protagonist."protagonist often overcomes a weakness or ignorance to achieve aunderstanding by the works end.may bevirtuecalled a "hero."protagonistwhoactswith great courageprotagonist of dubious tenacity"antihero." Readers often debate the virtues.inisAAand questionableand motivations ofThethe protagonists in the attempt to understand whether they are heroic.protagonists journeyFOCUS:Charactersismade more dramatic byA "foil"characters with different beliefs.morehighlightimportantfoil,clearly certain featureschallenges presented byprovokes the protagonist so as toof the main character. The mostthe "antagonist," opposes the protagonist, barring orcomplicating his or her success.Thechapter of Bless Me, Ultima sets up the friction between Antonio'sfirstmotherspriorities in lifewill requireandhis fathers priorities.We expect thatAntonio to choose between these two ways of life. Thechapter introduces Ultima to the family, and her influenceUltimas magic and her natural healing standfaith in thethe novelasfirston Antonio'slife.an antagonist to Antonio'schurch and the sovereign power of priests. Narciso models acertain kind of heroism for Antonio, although heof his drinking.When Tenoriorevenge establishes anewassertsisnot respected becausevow ofhimself as Ultima's enemy, hisantagonist for Antonio,whofervently defendsUltima's magic.Discussion ActivitiesWhatdoes Antonio learn frombecomeaDistributebrothers and the boys at school abouthishowtoman? Why might they be incomplete models for him?Handout Two. Have thereveals important informationclass discussthe use of Spanishabout certain characters, and thecharacter to communicate with these different voices. Whyintimidated by English at school?Howdoes language shapeisinthe novel asabilityitof Antonio'sAntonio soidentity in thisbook?Writing ExerciseEarly in the novel, Ultima tells Antonio: "Thelearn"(p.25).Choose oneabout the character thatmen"strange" andwhyDescribe someoneof this personlife?[3Howinworkdo youways of men are strange, and hard toof the characters from the novel and write a paragraphillustrateswhat Ultima might mean.Howare the ways ofare they hard to learn?yourlifewhohas influenced yourbeliefs.Howdo thewith, or conflict with, the influences of other peoplereconcile any conflictsamonginthese influences?HomeworkRead ChapterDiez.What do youNationalthink of Ultima's cure?Endowmentfor the ArtsTHE BIG READ 7ideasyour

Writers often use non-literal language to invite readers to visualize events,view internalconflicts,glimpse social themes, or grasp abstract conceptsbeauty, truth, or goodness.Anlikeauthor uses figurative or non-literal languageour imaginations, challenging us to decode the references andto stretchmeanings bound within images,similes,metaphors, and symbols. Suchdevices require a reader to participate actively in the novel, as the readerbegins to (implicitly or explicitly) interpret non-literal elements of theFOCUS:Sometimes Anaya describes natureother timesFigurativecharactersLanguageAnayamood, or foreshadowhuman"[Ultima] taughtcharacteristic to amewhich occurs whenin the fulfillmenthad beenafraidofitsreflect aa writerconcept or object:to listen to the mysterycompleteatevents.especially favors personification,attributes aand benevolent, whileand dangerous. This language canfrighteningit isas beautifultale.of the groaning earth and toMy soul grew under her carefultime.of the awful presence of theriver,feelguidance .which was the soul of theIriver"(p. 15).Hereisa vivid"I cried intoa flashAnayaimage from Antonio's dreamthe bleak landscape in whichIinChapter Nueve:found myself.Andin the swirlingof lightning struck and out of the thunder a dark figure stepped forth"also uses similesthroughout"A man's destiny must unfoldwater makingitblossom"(p.smoke(p. 71).his novel:itself like a flower,with only the sun and the earth and223).Discussion ActivitiesWhat does "groaningearth" convey?Howmight a curandera view our relationshipto the land? Why would Anaya choose to portray the world withhumantraits?Writing ExerciseAsk students to search the chapters they have read for vivid images. Have themwrite a paragraph using personification, simile, and metaphor to describe one ofthose images. Ask them to read their paragraphs aloud. Are there recurringexamples offigurative language?What deeper meaning doesthis repetitionsuggest?C3HomeworkRead Once, Doce, andTrece.Once bring him peace?8*THE BIG READNationalEndowmentfor the ArtsWhydoes Antonio's dreamat theend of Chapter

Symbolsarc interpretive keys to the text.on symbolsthat present ideasbe used to reference (or symbolize) a moreor figurative meaning attached to the object- above and beyondSymbolsat thefoundare oftenTheinterpretingin the novelstitle,face value.beginning and end of theprofound action, or captured by the name or personality of anovel, within acharacter.dependsThe repeated appearance of an object suggests a non-literalabstract concept.Symbolscraft of storytellingand point toward new meanings. Mostfrequently, a specific object willFOCUS:Thelifeandof a novelperpetuated by generations of readersisre-interpreting themain symbols of thenewsymbols, any reader can reveal anovel.By decodinginterpretation of the novel.Discussion Activities and Writing ExerciseAsymbolclassisa visible objector action that suggests additional meanings. Useperiod to analyze three major symbolsMe,in 8/essthisUltima: the river, Ultimasowl, and the golden carp.OwlUltima's"Inmany cuentosand soitIhad heard the owl was one of the disguises a bruja took,struck a chord of fearnot Ultimas owl"(p.1inwarning before Lupito's deathinChapterSeis,at night. But3).Antonio dreams about Ultima's owl theof schoolthem hootingthe heart to hearitnight ofChapter Dos,inandfirstitThe owlcomforts Antonio onout to Antoniocriesits arrival.students' reading tonight, the owl will blind Tenorioinitshis firstChapter Doce.incriesInone eye (ChapterdayyourCatorce).After the novel's violent climax, Antonio discovers the secret of the owl's power.TheRiverThis mysterious river often figuresvenue for a number of eventsFlorence drownsthistheinriver,ininAntonio's dreams.the story: LupitoItfalls inalso functions as thethe river afterand Antonio witnesses the Golden Carp.element of nature symbolize Antonio'shisdeath,Howdoesfears?The Golden Carp"Icould not believeits size. Itwasbigger thansunlight glistened off his golden scales"Anaya createshisown mythinthe story, but cannot reconcileeverythingIbeauty withowneyesinI13).the legend of the golden carp. Antonio believesitwithhisCatholicism, confessing, "The roots ofseemed shaken" (p. 8 1). After he sees the carp'sChapter Once, he wonders if a new religion can blendhad ever believedhis(p.me! And bright orange! Theinboth the Golden Carp and Catholicism.HHomeworkRead Chapterin thislesson,among the three symbols discussedcrucial moments of the plot to probeCatorce. Despite the differenceshow does Anayause theminAntonio's anxieties, doubts, and fears, and therefore developNationalEndowmentfor the ArtshisTHEcharacter?BIGREAD 9

Novels trace the development of characters that encounter achallenges.MostandInternalovercomeofcomplex balance of virtues andcharacters contain avices.external forces require characters to question themselves,Theor reconsider dreams.fears,protagonist undergoes profoundA close study of character development mapschange.seriesmotivation, personality, and belief in each character.the evolution ofStill,the tensionbetween a characters strengths and weaknesses keeps the reader guessingFOCUS:Characterabout what might happen next, affecting the drama and theDevelopmentBlessMe, Ultima begins with Antonio wondering what heafterhe dreams abouthis birthand theplot.willbecome,The hopesfight over his future.thathim send him rushing out of the house: "I felt a cool sweaton my forehead and I knew I had to run, I had to clear my mind of thedream. [.] The white sun and fresh air cleansed me" (pp. 9-10). We, too,wonder what will become of Antonio as we read the novel, and the plot ofthis book is the story of his characters evolution.others have forDiscussion ActivitiesChapter CatorceDiscusshowhighlights Antonio's placehis relationshipamongvariousmeninto these three characters changesthe novel.in thischapter:AndrewHas Andrew become an antagonist for AntonioAndrew?Howdoes AndrewfailWhat has become ofway, at a moment of crisis?at this point?Antonio, or standin hisNarcisoHowdoes our perception of Narciso changeaffectAntonio? What kind of hero has Narciso become?in thischapter?HowdoesdeathhisTenorioTenorio has become a much more prominent antagonistso violently driven byhisvowof revenge?Whatinthe novel. Whycauses Tenorio to suffer?see any parallels between Tenorio's and Antonio'sgrief,or do theyisDoheyousuffer fordifferent reasons?Writing ExerciseReturn to Ultima's earlier assertion that the ways oflearn."Write a paragraph that looks backWhat has Antonio learned sinceways of men becoming less confusing toCatorce.Hat this questionsignificance of thisTHE BIG READfrom the end of Chapterthe beginning of the novel? Are any of thehim? Are any ew the essay on Catholicismsupplemental reading to the narration of Antonio's'are "strange and hard toHomeworkRead Chapters Quince,ImenNationalEndowmentceremonyfor the Artsfor him?FirstCommunion. Whatisasthe

The authorartfully builds a plot structure to create expectations, increasesuspense, and inform character development.makebeginning, to middle, to end, canplot, propelledbyThe timing of events, froma novel predictable or riveting.a crisis, will reach a climax,andclose with a resolution(sometimes called denouement). Foreshadowing and flashbacks allow theLesson Eightauthor to defy time while telling thestory.A successfulreader entranced by clever pacing built within theFOCUS:TheAconfounding a simple plot byPlotIhe plot ofBlesstelling storiesMe, Ultima unfoldstale,withinepisodicallyatithor will keep asometimesstories.and the tension buildsasthe reader wonders howTenorio's attempts to avenge the death of hisUnfoldsdaughterwill play out.Many eventsin the novelhave a dramatic impact onAntonio. His initiation into the often cruel world of adultsof Lupito's murder,furtive observationdiscovery of Andrew at Rosies house.Ultima and onhis uncles'his firstByismarked byday of school, andcontrast, hishishissummers withfarm form a rhythm of peace and happiness thatcounterbalances the discovery of awful truths. Antonio's spiritualdevelopmentisprofoundly affected by the appearance of the golden carp,Ultima's cure of his uncle, hisAntonio hearcommunion, andfirsthis confession asheNarciso's request thatdies.Discussion ActivitiesAsk students to consider the events of the three chapters theyjustread.Thedeath of Narciso affects Antonio profoundly, and the tension increases withmurder.Then the brothers return butleave quickly, this time takingthem. Antonio has been looking forward toceremonyevents.leavesWhathimAndrewwithcommunion, but thefeeling disappointed. Invite the class to discuss this series ofhas changed after thebuilding to a climax at this point?and disappointmentshis firstthiswillmurder of Narciso?Howbe resolveddoes theinclassDo wefeelthe novelimagine that these conflictsthe end?Writing ExerciseA fewevents occurmoredreams, Ultimas healingarrivalthan once. Examples of these patterns include Antonio'srituals, Antonio'sdirect encounters with death,and theand departure of summer. Select one of these repeating events and write aparagraph that compares and contrasts two or three instances.QHomeworkReadDieciocho, Diecinueve,andVeinte.Whymight the boysinsistthat Antonio playthe priest?NationalEndowmentfor the ArtsTHEBIGREAD

Profound questionsraisedby the story allow the character (and the reader)meaning of humanto explore thelife,andby philosophers,investigate topics explored for centuriesscientists, historians,andextract themes.andlightFOCUS:onexploreThemesthese age-old debates,by creating newcan shedsituations to challengeandto stimulate discussion or provide writingUsing references to supportexercises in order to interpret the novel.the NovelA novelnature.Use the following questionsofin relation to politicalcommitments.spiritual faith versus rationalhumanpoliticians,theologians. Classic themes include intellectualfreedom versus censorship, personal moral codejustice,Themesideas,explore the ideas Bless Me, Ultima suggests about the following:Discussion Activities and Writing ExercisesInnocence and KnowledgeAntonio wonders about the nature of innocence, andHerecognizes that knowledgeishow knowledgeaffectsit.form of power:awondered if the knowledge sought would destroy me. But itcouldn't, it was God's knowledgeDid we ask too much when we asked to share His knowledge?II(p.Is it191)better to be innocent or to have knowledge,misery, revenge, and anger leads to pain?Isifcomprehension of death,ignorancebliss,oris itmisery?NatureAntonioispowerfully affected by the natural landscape. His emotions are linked toknownthe sky and the weather, a poetic techniquecertain symbolsinnature (theas pathetic fallacy. Whatthe juniper tree, and the uncles' farm) suggestriver,about our relation to the natural world? Does nature seembenevolent, or indifferent force?contribute tohumanfeelings,Howanddolikea cruel,does respect or irreverence for naturehow doesthisemergeinthe story?Language and IdentityWhydoes Antonio believe that words are magic? What roles do curses, vows,confessions, and prayers playcope withplay?Whatsuffering?Howdoes theintheof these characters, anddoes language provide comicnovel's use of Spanish help us tocharacters, and Antonio's identityCJlivesChaptersVeintiunothrough the course of these events?*THE BIG READinabilitytothe Christmasunderstand about theamong them?andthe novel leave Antonio? What has he learned?2asourHomeworkFinish reading the novel, relief,inNationalEndowmentfor the ArtsVeintidos.HowWherehas hedoes the end ofgrown older or wiser

Novelsillustrate thehumanity. Greatconnections between individuals and questions ofstories articulateand explore the mysteries of ourwhile painting those conflicts in the larger picture oflives,Readers forge bonds with the story as the writers voice,poetry inform the plot, characters, and themes.Lesso

THECLASSKBY Authorof Alburquerque BLESSME. ULTIMA fk' —DenverP "IwashappywithUltima.We walkedtogetherinthellanoand alongtheriverbankstogather herbsandrootsforher medicines.Shetaughtmeto listentothemysteryofthe groaningearthandtofeel completeintheful