Rudolfo Anaya s Bless Me, Ultima

Transcription

1 Rudolfo Anaya s Bless Me, Ultima

2 Rudolfo Anaya (b. 1937)

3 Rudolfo Anaya Rudolfo Anaya was born in the small village of Pastura, near Santa Rosa, New Mexico, to a farmgirl mother and a cowboy father. The curandera who presided at his birth set out tools of both family trades near the newbornonly to see him reach for a paper and pencil instead.

4 Anaya s Life As a boy Anaya hunted and fished and swam the Pecos River. Later, after the family left the countryside for Albuquerque, he gravitated toward baseball and football. At sixteen, while roughhousing around an irrigation channel with friends, Anaya dove in and hit the bottom. Years of arduous rehabilitation and bedridden reading would pass before he regained a full movement in his neck.

5 Anaya s Life Anaya became part of the Chicano Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, while at the University of New Mexico It encouraged Anaya's dream of writing books that would explore his cultural heritage. After graduating with his BA and MA, he taught at middle schools, high schools, and universities while writing at night.

6 Bless Me, Ultima After more than seven years of writing and rewriting his novel, Anaya submitted his first manuscript, Bless Me, Ultima, to the small Berkeley press, Quinto Sol. A $1,000 prize accompanied the novel's printing, and the mainstream New York publisher Warner Books later acquired its rights. Since its publication in 1972, the novel has become part of high school English and university Chicano literature classes. Referred to as the "godfather of Chicano literature."

7 Bless Me, Ultima The novel embraces myths from New Mexican cultures. The novel presents myths, magic, and miracles on many levels, drawn from Spanish and Catholic traditions, as well as from the native peoples who lived in New Mexico long before the conquistadors and Catholic priests arrived from Europe. The survival of these myths from various traditions testifies to New Mexico s multicultural heritage

8 New Mexican Catholicism Catholicism is based on the belief in the Holy trinity: the Father (God), the son (Jesus), and the Holy spirit. the Holy trinity is the central mystery of the Christian faith. Catholics believe in seven sacraments, viewing them as signs of grace and gifts of God.

9 Sacraments A young person is initiated into the Catholic Church through Baptism, usually in infancy, which absolves one of original sin. Children at age seven or eight participate in their first Communion, where they receive the Eucharist for the first time.

10 Sacraments In adolescence, a Catholic is confirmed by willfully accepting the Catholic faith and its traditions and rituals. As a young Catholic matures, it is important to demonstrate moral fortitude and commitment to Catholic ideals by doing good works. A strong faith means not only understanding the religious tenets of Catholicism but also acting to reflect those beliefs.

11 Antonio s Spiritual Journey Prior to receiving this sacrament he must take part in Reconciliation, where he confesses his sins, is absolved by the priest, and does penance. On several occasions in the novel Antonio becomes a surrogate priest, absolving the sins of Narciso and playing priest to the children in his class.

12 Two Essential Questions As you read each chapter, ask yourself these two questions: Will Antonio become a priest? Is Ultima a witch?

13 Uno Tony s destiny: Luna (farmer)? Priest? Vaquero? Which of these would most honor the family? Archetypes: Coming of age, Loss of innocence. Dream #1 The night of Tony s birth, and the argument between the Lunas and the Vaqueros (5-6). Is Tony fit to be a priest? If he becomes a priest, he wonders, Who will hear my confession? (9)

14 Uno Family After María expresses concern for Ultima, Gabriel says, It is not the way of our people to let Ultima live her last days alone (3). The narrator adds, There was always room in the safety and warmth of la familia for one more person, be they stranger or friend (4).

15 Uno Is Ultima a witch? She is a curandera, but because of her special knowledge and her mysterious powers, she could be mistaken for a bruja (4). Spaniard vs. Native American Christianity (Catholicism) vs. magic

16 Uno Ultima s Owl What does the owl symbolize? Tony tells us, I was sure my father would get up and shoot the owl with the old rifle he kept on the kitchen wall. But he didn t. Tony also tells us, I had heard the owl was one of the many disguises a bruja took, but the owl is not evil in Tony s dream. In my dream I saw Ultima s owl lift la Virgen [de Guadalupe] on her wide wings and fly her to heaven (13).

17 Dos Gabriel s lost dream: Gabriel dreams of taking his family to California to start a vineyard (14-5, 25-6). Archetype: Modernization overtaking people who grew up with the old ways

18 Dos Is Ultima a witch? Tony tells us, She taught me the names of plants and flowers, of trees and bushes, of birds and animals; bust most important, I learned from her that there was a beauty in the time of day and in the time of night, and that there was peace in the river and in the hills (15).

19 Dos Rio Pecos What does the river symbolize? Tony admits, I had been afraid of the awful presence of the river But the innocence which our isolation sheltered could not last forever, and the affairs of the town began to reach across our bridge and enter my life (15). Later, he witnesses a man s death on the banks of the river (21-3). Compromise between mother and father: The location of their home

20

21 Dos Tony witnesses a man s death: Antonio watches, hidden, as Lupito s pistol sounded again. Still, he was not aiming at the men on the bridge. He was shooting to draw their fire! (22) Will Tony become a priest? After the shooting death, Tony is stricken with grief: A priest could have saved Lupito How would I ever wash away the stain of blood from the sweet waters of my river? (23)

22 Dos Dream #2 In this nightmare, Antonio sees his three brothers, who tell him what they think his destiny will be (25-6). La llorona (archetype) is compared to Tony s mother.

23 Tres Gabriel s beliefs Freethinker: Vaqueros not very religious (29). The church is too controlling. Priests are feminine. Gabriel is compared to the devil (31). Life gives strength, helps a boy become a man. María s beliefs Devout Catholic: Lunas were led to their valley by a priest (29). The church is the center of the community. Life destroy a boy s innocence, the purity given by God (30-1).

24 Tres Is Ultima a witch? On the way to church, the townspeople whisper about her, but she ignores them (33). Ultima tells Tony, If a person really wants to know, then he will listen and see and be patient. Knowledge comes slowly- (34).

25 Tres Loss of innocence (archetype) Tony meets the other little boys of the town: Ernie, Horse, Bones, Samuel, the Vitamin Kid, Abel, Florence, and Lloyd (35-38).

26 Cuatro y Cinco Rio Pecos What does the river symbolize? Tony asks Ultima about it (41-2). Tony mentions the river again when he speaks of the witches (50).

27 Cuatro y Cinco Will Tony become a priest? When Tony tells the story of how the Virgen de Guadalupe appeared in Mexico, he states, Although there were many other saints, I loved none as dearly as the Virgin (43-4). Tony tells the difference between God, who is wrathful, and the Virgin, who is loving (44). Dream #3 Tony meets the Virgin (45).

28 Cuatro y Cinco Family Tony s family visits the Lunas to help with the autumn harvest (43, 47-50) Gabriel remains at home (48). Tony s grandfather says that the war is against the will of God (49). Will Tony become a priest? Tony s Uncle Juan believes he will become a priest, (49).

29 Cuatro y Cinco Ultima s Owl What does the owl symbolize? Rio Pecos What does the river symbolize? Tony tells us he is aware of witches dancing with the devil across the river, but the owl helps him fall asleep (50).

30 Seis Gabriel s desires He wants freedom. He wants to give up and move to California: He argues with his wife (51-4). He wants to set Tony free. María s desires She wants to remain near her family and wants Tony to get a good education. She wants to protect Tony from the world.

31 Seis Will Tony become a priest? He talks about the time he didn t make the sign of the cross (55). Ultima says sadly, in response to María s begging her to reveal Tony s destiny, He will be a man of learning (56). Tony s first day at school (56-9). Loss of innocence: The archetype of ethnocentrism and la tristesa de la vida, the sadness of life (58-9)

32 Seis Ultima s Owl What does the owl symbolize? Ultima s owl gives Tony comfort on his way to school (56).

33 Siete y Ocho Dream #4 In the dream Tony describes his brothers as dying even though he already knows the war is over and they are coming home (61).

34 Siete y Ocho Family Tony is the first to greet his three older brothers (62). What s wrong with Tony s brothers? Gabriel now sees his California dream coming true (63), but his sons passively resist. The narrator says, They were like lost men who went and came and said nothing (65-6). Tony says they were like giants before, and now they re like wild bulls (69).

35 Nueve Dream #5 Loss of innocence (archetype) as Tony dreams about his brothers visiting Rosie s (70-1).

36 Nueve Family: Inside each of Tony s brothers: devotion to family vs. the Màrez blood (71-3). Two brothers leave Guadalupe. Tony walks to town with Andrew (73-5).

37 Nueve The legend of the golden carp (79-81) Archetype of the forbidden fruit (80) I do not fish for the carp, Tony tells Samuel. It is bad luck (79). Will Tony become a priest? After the story Tony s belief system is confused; he wonders, If the golden carp was a god, who was the man on the cross? The Virgin? Was my mother praying to the wrong God? (81)

38 Diez Is Ultima a witch? Ultima brings Tony to help cure Uncle Lucas. He says, It was truly the work of a bruja that was slowly killing my uncle! (84) Tenorio makes the sign of the cross when he sees Ultima (93). Ultima tells Tony he does not need to be afraid, that The smallest bit of good can stand against all the powers of evil in the world and it will emerge triumphant (98).

39 Diez Ultima s Owl What does the owl symbolize? Ultima s owl attacks coyotes outside Uncle Lucas s house (99).

40 Once Is Ultima a witch? The other kids believe she is (110-1).

41 Once Will Tony become a priest? Tony wonders how he can believe in the golden carp and in the Catholic God (107). Archetype of the forbidden fruit (108-9) Archetype of la llorona (118-9) Tony feels responsible for warning the town that their sins will result in all of the residents drowning (119).

42 Once Will Tony become a priest? When Tony asks Ultima what to believe, she answers, Antonio I cannot tell you what to believe. Your father and your mother can tell you, because you are their blood, but I cannot. As you grow into manhood you must find your own truths- (119)

43 Once Dream #6 Marìa, Gabriel, and Ultima all appear in Tony s dream about a great lake and the destruction of the village (119-21).

44 Doce Family: Gabriel laments the nature of his own blood, and admits that it might be better for Tony if he is in fact a Luna (123). The archetype of modernization: The fate of the vaqueros (125)

45 Doce Is Ultima a witch? Ultima gives Tony charms to protect him from Tenorio s evil (123-4). Ultima passes Tenorio s test, but only when her owl distracts the onlookers (134).

46 Trece Family: Tony and his family return for the Lunas harvest in the fall of This time, Gabriel comes along too (136). Uncle Juan asks Marìa and Gabriel if Tony can spend next summer (1946) learning their ways (142).

47 Trece Is Ultima a witch? Tenorio s daughter is denied funeral mass, which is akin to excommunication from the Catholic church (136, 141). Dream #7 Tony sees Ultima s face in a witch s coffin (140).

48 Trece Will Tony become a priest? When thinking about God s inability to forgive Tenorio, Tony says, Perhaps that is why God could not forgive; he was too much like man (138).

49 Catorce Loss of innocence (archetype) Tony must decide if he will defend himself against his classmates, who spout off rumors about Ultima and Andrew (145-6). Ultima warns Tony, Take care of the evil in the wind (149). Samuel tells Tony about a fight between Narciso and Tenorio at the bar, saying, the blood of a man thickens with the desire for revenge, and if a man is to be complete again then he must let some of that thick blood flow (150).

50 Catorce Loss of innocence (archetype) Tony s classmates continue to use foul language (151-9). After witnessing a nasty fight between Narciso and Tenorio, Tony follows Narciso in search of Andrew (160-5). After finding Andrew, Tony is crushed. He thinks, Had I already lost my innocence?... How had I sinned? (165)

51 Catorce Loss of innocence (archetype) Tony continues to follow Narciso, thinking to himself, I had somehow lost my innocence and let sin enter into my soul, and the knowledge of God, the saving grace, was far away (167).

52 Catorce Will Tony become a priest? Tony is once again faced with the task of praying an Act of Final Contrition (170). Dream #8 The dream begins with Tony begging a wrathful, cruel God for mercy, but he is forsaken, his hands bloodied (172-4). The devil-worshipers kill everyone Tony cares about, but the golden carp returns and brings rebirth (174-6).

53 Quince y Dieciséis Loss of innocence (archetype) Andrew apologizes (177-8) Marìa tells Tony what spring and summer will bring (179). Family: Gabriel and his sons come to understand one another, even if all must suffer. Andrew reassures his father that all three sons remember how things used to be (184).

54 Quince y Dieciséis Will Tony become a priest? In the spring, Tony says Sometimes, after school let out in the afternoon, I went alone to church and asked God to answer my questions, but the only sound was always the whistling of the wind filling the empty space (187). Loss of innocence (archetype) Tony meets Tenorio (187-8) Is Ultima a witch? Ultima checks to make sure Tenorio didn t curse Tony (189).

55 Diecisiete Man s destruction of the natural world (archetype) Tony finds out about atomic testing at White Sands, New Mexico, and about the destruction of the llano by modern machinery (190-2).

56 Diecisiete Will Tony become a priest? While in church, Tony wonders, Why does evil go unpunished? (191) Tony explains to Florence, who is an atheist, how sin works (192). Then Tony s classmates argue about religion, and it frustrates Tony so much that he wonders, Were the fish of the golden carp happier than we were? Was the golden carp a better God? (197)

57 Dieciocho y Diecinueve Will Tony become a priest? On the way to catechism, Tony again asks Florence to participate, and again Florence frustrates him with difficult theological questions (204). While in church, Tony reflects, School work was dull and uninspiring compared to the mysteries of religion, and he admits he fears eternal damnation (204). Horse, meanwhile, throws up from staring at the candle (206-7).

58 Dieciocho y Diecinueve Will Tony become a priest? Tony plays the role of priest with his friends, and not only do they compete to see who has the worst sin, they expect Tony to punish rather than forgive (208-15). Tony s first real confession seems forgettable by comparison (216).

59 Dieciocho y Diecinueve Will Tony become a priest? Tony s first communion is dominated by the foolishness of the other kids. As it s about to end, Tony says, I called again to the God that was within me, but there was no answer. Only emptiness (217-21).

60 Veinte y Veintiuno Is Ultima a witch? Ultima decides to help cure an ancient curse put on Téllez s family (226-34).

61 Veinte y Veintiuno Dream #9: Tony dreams again of his three brothers, who seem lost, like tortured, lost ghosts. They call to him for help, and he obliges them (235).

62 Veinte y Veintiuno Will Tony become a priest? Tony s doubts grow Sunday after Sunday; he says, I prepared my body and thoughts for receiving God, but there was no communication from Him (236). Cico tells Tony that the others would kill the golden carp if they found out about him, because The god of the church is a jealous god; he cannot live in peace with other gods (237).

63 Veinte y Veintiuno Will Tony become a priest? A third time Tony prays the Act of Final Contrition (241).

64 Veintidos Dream #10 Tony is visited by Lupito, Narciso and Florence. Everything I believed in was destroyed (244). The sadness of life: When Tony is about to leave for the summer, Ultima tells him, Life is filled with sadness when a boy grows to be a man Be prepared to see things changed when you return (245).

65 Veintidos Will Tony become a priest? Tony asks his father why there is so much evil in the world (248). Would they smile when they learned that I doubted the God of my forefathers, the God of the Lunas, and knew I praised the beauty of the golden carp? (257) Is Ultima a witch? Tenorio s second daughter dies, and Tony tries to reach Ultima before he does (253-62)

66 Always have the strength to live. Love life, and if despair enters your heart, look for me in the evenings when the wind is gentle and the owls sing in the hills. I shall be with you (261).

67 Sometime in the future I would have to build my own dream out of those things that were so much a part of my childhood (261). End