Bless Me, Ultima

Compare and contrast the different types of magic presented in the novel. What is the source of Ultima’s magic? What about Narciso’s and the Trementina sisters’?

How does the novel incorporate magical realism? Find three examples of magical realism in the novel and discuss their thematic significance.

Ultima teaches Antonio that time moves in an eternal cycle. How is this exemplified in the novel? What religious and/or cultural considerations might have inspired Anaya to include this concept?

Read Bless Me, Ultima alongside another Chicanx novel from this time period. Compare and contrast their characters and themes: How do they contribute to the definition of Chicanx identity? How do they portray mainstream white American culture?

What tools of mediation does Antonio learn from Ultima? How might these help him navigate the changing cultural landscape of postwar New Mexico?

Bless Me, Ultima was originally written in English. How does Anaya’s frequent inclusion of Spanish phrases enhance the novel’s themes? Why did he choose not to translate these phrases to an Anglophone audience?

At several key moments, Anaya describes time as condensing; past, present, and future. What is the significance of convergence? Does it relate to any of the novel’s key themes?

Read the story of la Llorona. What is the significance of her inclusion in the narrative?