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Bless Me Ultima. Themes, Motifs, Symbols, & Characters. Rudolfo Anaya. Has taught English and Writing at Yale, University of Michigan, and UCLA Called the “father of Chicano literature” and “poet of the *barrio”
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Bless Me Ultima Themes, Motifs, Symbols, & Characters
Rudolfo Anaya • Has taught English and Writing at Yale, University of Michigan, and UCLA • Called the “father of Chicano literature” and “poet of the *barrio” • *(in Spain and countries colonized by Spain) one of the divisions into which a town or city, together with the contiguous rural territory, is divided. • *a part of a large U.S. city, esp. a crowded inner-city area, inhabited chiefly by a Spanish speaking population.
Rudolfo Anaya • He has written novels, one-act plays, short stories, an epic poem and a children’s story. • Most of his stories center on the lives of Hispanics in the American southwest • Themes focus on growing up and loss of faith.
Rudolfo Anaya • He has written novels, one-act plays, short stories, an epic poem and a children’s story. • Most of his stories center on the lives of Hispanics in the American southwest • Themes focus on growing up and loss of faith.
Literary Genre • FOLKTALE- • a narrative form, like an epic, legend, myth, fable, etc., that is or had been retold within a culture for generations and is well known through repeated storytelling. • a simple, timeless story that deals with the customs, traditions, and beliefs of ordinary people.
Literary Genre • BILDUNGSROMANS • A novel that deals with the development of a young person from adolescence to maturity; • More often called a “coming-of-age” story.
Magical Realism • Literary school in which supernatural, magical, or illogical elements appear writing an otherwise naturalistic narrative. Four major characteristics include hybridity, irony of the author’s perspective, authorial reticence, supernatural and natural
Magical Realism in BMU • Hybridity- shows a blending of opposing cultures between the Marez and Lunas, between Catholic and pagan/folktales • Irony of Author perspective- there is no change in tone between when Anaya describes natural and supernatural events • Authorial reticence- no opinion about the supernatural is expressed or interjected by Anaya • Supernatural and Natural- depictions of magic and nature are interwoven and given equal credibility and relevance
Major Themes • Moral Independence • Must come from within • No one “right” way • Morality found through choice, not obedience • Morality is doing what is good, regardless of the source (e.g.-religion)
Major Themes, cont. • Like morality, found within • Interdependent with morality (e.g.- morality = identity) • Struggle with conflicting cultures/religions • Catholicism/Paganism • Marez/Luna: cowboy/farmer • Anglo vs. Mexican • Florence’s death • Language barriers at school • Embracing this conflict = identity • True coming of age: “identity” discovered or reconciled • Never one thing: Only “one right way” = eternal child • Identity
Themes, cont. • Innocence/Coming of Age • Re-evaluating role of “sin” • Knowledge as loss of innocence • Learning/Education • Realization of moral complexity defines Tony’s loss of innocence & true coming of age • Andrew @ Rosie’s • Narcisso • Lupito (impetus)
Biblical Parallels • Narcisso’s Garden = Eden • Eats “carrot” • Becomes aware (e.g. - golden carp) • Fisherman • Apostles • Peter
Important ‘stats’ & Characters • Setting • New Mexico (U.S. NOT Mexico) • Rural and isolated • 1940’s/WW II • Gabriel & Maria • Marez = sea/Luna = moon • More than they appear • Gabriel: wise, sacrifices for family • Maria: loves fiercely
Characters, cont. • Ultima (the Curandera • Mentor/guide • Power comes from her sincere sympathy & understanding of all • Death inevitable • Tony’s friends • Reveal how experience shapes identity • Refrain from judgment • Florence • Samuel & Cico
Symbols to Ponder • Bridge • Owl • Golden Carp • Virgen de Guadalupe • Seasons • Dreams
Discussion Groups • Superstition- pink • Dreams- green • Culture Shock- blue • Our Melting Pot- orange • Elderly Relatives- yellow
Superstition What is superstition? 2. What are some common examples? 3. How and why do superstitions arise? 4. Do you believe in any superstitions? 5. Are superstitions part of organized religion (Catholicism, Judaism, etc.)? Explain.
Dreams What are the definitions for "dream"? 2. Do you believe in the power of dreams? Explain for each definition. 3. Do you remember the dreams you had when you wakeup? Why do you think you dreamt what you did? 4. Can "dreams" be a sign? Explain.
Culture Shock 1. What is culture shock? 2. Have you ever experienced or witnessed being "torn between two cultures'? 3. Are any young people in your community confronted by two cultures-the "American" culture at school, and another one at home? 4. What conflicts does this create?
Melting Pot 1. Do you think that the U.S. is more of a "melting pot" or a "salad" with respect to its varied ethnic groups? Explain. 2. How are bilingual students treated at this school? 3. Should they be taught in their own language as well as English? 4. Is there a respect for other cultures or is there more often prejudice (our school, our community)? Explain.
Elderly Relatives 1. With which of your elderly relatives do you have the closest relationship? Explain. 2. What have you learned from that person? 3. What sorts of times/experiences do you share? 4. Do you have any elderly relatives living with you? If so, what is that like? If not, do you think your family would invite an elderly relative to live with you if the need arose? How would this change the family dynamics?
Folktales • Can you name any folktales you have read or heard? • What elements do many folktales have in common? • What is the language like? • What sorts of dreams do you find in folktales? • What sorts of magic do you find in folktales?
