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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the worst thing a disobedient child could fear from his/her parents?

2. How much did Antonio's grandfather pay Ultima to rid Lucas of the brujas' curse?

3. What do Ultima and Antonio witness while sitting in the shade of the alamos of the river?

4. Where did Antonio's father get his education?

5. How does Horse gain his nickname?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do the Marez brothers do once they return home in Chapter 8?

2. Explain the story Father Byrne told of eternity.

3. Why was the owl special to Antonio?

4. Describe the relationship between Antonio's mother (Maria) and father (Gabriel).

5. What are the prominent characteristics of the Luna family?

6. What role does Ultima's owl play?

7. In Chapter 16, what does Ultima tell Antonio Tenorio must do?

8. What happened to Antonio his first day of school?

9. Why does Tony feel like an outcast?

10. Describe the different forms of evil as Ultima rids Lucas of the brujas curse.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Bless Me, Ultima is a novel detailing a boy's rite-of-passage towards maturity. What are the key events marking Tony's maturity within the novel? How does the novel fall into this genre? Compare this novel to another rite-of-passage novel, such as Huckleberry Finn.

Essay Topic 2

Bless Me Ultima has been perceived as a type of American western. There are episodes connecting with the theme of manifest destiny (belief held by many Americans in the 1840s that the United States was destined to expand across the continent, by force, as used against Native Americans, if necessary). How does the novel fit into the American western genre? What role do Gabriel, Narcisco, Eugene, Andrew and Leon play in this theme? Are there other characters who personify these themes and genres?

Essay Topic 3

Shamanism is based on the belief that the visible world is pervaded by invisible forces or spirits that affect the lives of the living. In shamanism, certain animals guide or give power to that person. What types of power or guiding do you believe is transferred to humans? What examples of shamanism are included in the novel? Aside from animals, what other examples of shamanism are cited in the novel?

(see the answer keys)

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