Bless Me, Ultima

by Rudolfo Anaya

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Investigate the practice of curandismo (traditional healing) in the Southwestern United States and assess Anaya’s depiction of the curandera Ultima.

Analyze how Anaya employs paired concepts or dualities to enhance the themes in Bless Me, Ultima.

Compare Anaya’s representation of the Catholic faith with his depiction of pagan beliefs, as symbolized by Ultima and the Golden Carp.

Bless Me, Ultima is narrated from the perspective of Antonio, a six-year-old boy. How does the use of a first-person narrator influence the story’s impact?

In an interview with Feroza Jussawalla, Rudolfo Anaya described the “New World person” as someone who derives their perspective from indigenous history, spiritual thought, mythology, and relationships. This New World person is a synthesis, drawing from both Spanish and indigenous roots to form a unique Mestizo identity. Explain how the character Tony embodies Anaya’s concept of the New World person.

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