1. Bless Me Ultima Themes, Motifs, Symbols, & Characters

2. Major Themes ◊Moral Independence Must come from withinMust come from within No one “right” wayNo one “right” way Morality found through choice, not obedienceMorality found through choice, not obedience Morality is doing what is good, regardless of the source (e.g.-religion)Morality is doing what is good, regardless of the source (e.g.-religion)

3. Major Themes, cont. ◊Identity Like morality, found withinLike morality, found within Interdependent with morality (e.g.- morality = identity)Interdependent with morality (e.g.- morality = identity) Struggle with conflicting cultures/religionsStruggle with conflicting cultures/religions Catholicism/PaganismCatholicism/Paganism Marez/Luna: cowboy/farmerMarez/Luna: cowboy/farmer Anglo vs. MexicanAnglo vs. Mexican Florence’s deathFlorence’s death Language barriers at schoolLanguage barriers at school Embracing this conflict = identityEmbracing this conflict = identity True coming of age: “identity” discovered or reconciledTrue coming of age: “identity” discovered or reconciled Never one thing: Only “one right way” = eternal childNever one thing: Only “one right way” = eternal child

4. Themes, cont. ◊Innocence/Coming of Age Re-evaluating role of “sin”Re-evaluating role of “sin” Knowledge as loss of innocenceKnowledge as loss of innocence Learning/EducationLearning/Education Realization of moral complexity defines Tony’s loss of innocence & true coming of ageRealization of moral complexity defines Tony’s loss of innocence & true coming of age Andrew @ Rosie’sAndrew @ Rosie’s NarcissoNarcisso Lupito (impetus)Lupito (impetus)

5. Biblical Parallels Narcisso’s Garden = EdenNarcisso’s Garden = Eden Eats “carrot”Eats “carrot” Becomes aware (e.g. - golden carp)Becomes aware (e.g. - golden carp) FishermanFisherman ApostlesApostles PeterPeter Narcisso’s Garden = EdenNarcisso’s Garden = Eden Eats “carrot”Eats “carrot” Becomes aware (e.g. - golden carp)Becomes aware (e.g. - golden carp) FishermanFisherman ApostlesApostles PeterPeter

6. 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 ◊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

7. Characters, cont. ◊Ultima Mentor/guideMentor/guide Power comes from her sincere sympathy & understanding of allPower comes from her sincere sympathy & understanding of all Death inevitableDeath inevitable ◊Tony’s friends Reveal how experience shapes identityReveal how experience shapes identity Refrain from judgmentRefrain from judgment ◊Florence ◊Samuel & Cico ◊Ultima Mentor/guideMentor/guide Power comes from her sincere sympathy & understanding of allPower comes from her sincere sympathy & understanding of all Death inevitableDeath inevitable ◊Tony’s friends Reveal how experience shapes identityReveal how experience shapes identity Refrain from judgmentRefrain from judgment ◊Florence ◊Samuel & Cico

8. Symbols to Ponder ◊Bridge ◊Owl ◊Golden Carp ◊Virgen de Guadalupe ◊Seasons ◊Bridge ◊Owl ◊Golden Carp ◊Virgen de Guadalupe ◊Seasons