Bless Me, Ultima

by Rudolfo Anaya

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Character Analysis and Quotes of Narciso in "Bless Me, Ultima"

Summary:

In Bless Me, Ultima, Narciso is initially seen as the "town drunk," but his actions reveal a compassionate and brave character. He tries to prevent violence against Lupito and later risks his life to warn Ultima about Tenorio's threat. Narciso's quotes demonstrate his selflessness and loyalty, especially towards Ultima, whom he credits with saving his life. Despite his reputation, Narciso's heroic efforts to protect others ultimately lead to his tragic death, showcasing his true valor.

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What kind of person is Narciso in chapter 14 of Bless Me, Ultima?

Antonio characterizes Narciso as “the town drunk” in chapter two of the novel. We see a small part of his character in that chapter when he tries to convince an angry mob not to kill Lupito (a man struggling with mental illness) after he shot the sheriff of the town. During that exchange, Narciso shows a part of who he is when he tries to get Lupito to turn himself in rather than be shot while standing confused in the river. Narciso says,

“Hey Lupito! It is me, Narciso. It is me, hombre, your compadre. Listen my friend, a very bad business has happened tonight, but if we act like men we can settle it—Let me come down and talk to you, Lupito. Let me help you—” (chapter 2).

Of all the men on the bridge, it was Narciso alone who knew Lupito and begged for him to turn himself...

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in. He showed compassion for the man despite his crimes.

In chapter 14 of the novel, we see more of that compassion and bravery when Narciso confronts Tenorio (the antagonist), who then threatens to kill Ultima, an older woman that Narciso loves dearly. Narciso replies to Tenorio’s threat with, “If you seek to do evil to la Grande I will cut out your heart” (chapter 14). This is the last thing he says before Tenorio threatens to kill Ultima and goes off.

Antonio (the protagonist) sees the fight and follows Narciso as he tries to warn someone about Tenorio’s deadly threats. We see more of Narciso’s character and his loyalty, especially when he waves off the other men at the bar who insist that he go back into the bar to drink. The bartender tells him, “It is nothing,” and says, “Ah! Only words. Forget this bad thing before it gets you into trouble with the sheriff.” Earlier in the novel, he is described as a drunk, but even the offer to drink more is not enough to entice him to betray his close friend to the possibility of harm.

Narciso, despite the heavy snow blocking his way to talk to Antonio’s father, sets out to find a way to warn Ultima. He tries to tell Andrew, Antonio’s brother who is at the brothel, but Andrew doesn’t take him seriously. He tells Narciso to come in and enjoy the company of the girls. Narciso flatly refuses, saying, “The diablas putas have turned your mind! You do not think with your brains, but with your balls” (chapter 14).

Narciso continues, attempting to warn Ultima himself when Tenorio shoots him after a struggle. He dies under a juniper tree, having given a short confession to Antonio.

In chapter 14, we see the bravery, resolve, and loyalty that Narciso shows towards Ultima—so when you look to describe his character, those three traits are the ones that might stand out the most.

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What are some quotes from Narciso in "Bless Me, Ultima"?

"Ay, Grande," Narciso moaned, "I am only thinking of your welfare. One does not talk about the truth to men drunk with whiskey and the smell of a lynching—"

In this quote, Narciso warns Ultima that Tenorio is coming to kill her. For his part, Tenorio blames Ultima for his daughter's death. Accordingly, Tenorio has plied men with whiskey and convinced them that Ultima is a witch, worthy of death. Ultima, however, feels strongly about standing her ground and speaking the truth about who she is.

Narciso is not so sure that the truth will hold sway with men who are drunk and intent upon lynching a woman they are convinced is a witch. Indeed, Tenorio has spread the gossip that Ultima's medicine bag was found under the bed of his dead daughter. In this quote, Narciso's concern for Ultima's safety is demonstrated by his desperate plea to Gabriel to hide Ultima until the evil gossip dissipates.

"I owe Ia Grande my life," Narciso said, "and I owe you many favors, Marez. What are thanks among friends."

In an exchange between Narciso and Gabriel Marez, the latter thanks Narciso for protecting Ultima. For his part, Narciso insists that he owes Ultima (La Grande) his life. We learn why Narciso feels this way later in the story. After Narciso's death, Ultima divulges that Narciso was once a happily married young man. Narciso's happiness had not lasted long, however. His wife succumbed to diphtheria at a young age, and her death devastated him. The couple had no children, so Narciso was bereft of all comfort.

For her part, Ultima did everything in her power to save Narciso's wife, but to no avail. After his wife died, Narciso turned to drink and became the town drunk. However, he remained forever grateful to Ultima for her support and care during his wife's illness. Ultima's loyalty inspires Narciso's life-long devotion to her. In the end, it is this devotion that results in Narciso's death at Tenorio's hands.

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Narciso is not always respected because is has a reputation for being the town drunk, yet he is the voice of reason and moderation when the townsmen pursue the fugitive Lupito. Narciso says,

"Por Dios, hombres! Let us act like men! That is not an animal down there, that is a man. Lupito. You all know Lupito. You know that the war made him sick..."

When the men deride him for being drunk, Narciso replies,

"I am not drinking...it is you men who are drunk for blood. You have lost your reason..."

Narciso counsels Lupito, saying,

"Amigo! You know I am your friend...those were good times, Lupito, before the war came...now we have this bad business to settle...but we are friends who will help you..."

Tragically, Lupito responds in desperation, shooting to draw the fire of the men, and he is killed (Dos).

Later in the book, Narciso heroically tries to get someone to warn La Grande that Tenorio is coming to kill her. When no one will go, he decides,

"Then I will go. Am I so old that a storm of the llano can frighten me? The llano bred and sustained me...it can bury me".

Narciso is indeed gunned down before he can reach the house of Marez, and his last words as he lays dying are,

"It is good to die on a hill of the llano, beneath the juniper" (Catorce).

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