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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. How often does Antonio see his brothers once they returned from war?

2. Who gave Ultima her powers?

3. What is the relationship between the owl and la Virgen de Guadalupe?

4. Why does the Marez family refer to Ultima as la Grande?

5. Who says, "Every man is delivered of a woman, and must be fulfilled by a woman?"

Short Essay Questions

1. How important is prayer for Antonio's mother?

2. What is the significance of Ash Wednesday and Lent to Catholics?

3. What is the significance of black and white colors on Antonio's First Communion?

4. What is the importance of Antonio receiving his First Communion on Easter Sunday?

5. Describe the tale of the golden carp.

6. Describe the major event before school let out for the Christmas holidays.

7. Describe the events surrounding Lupito's death.

8. What do the Marez brothers believe Antonio's role will be in the family?

9. Why is Sunday a polarizing day of the week for the Marez family?

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 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 2

Bless Me, Ultima is set in the Southwest United States, more specifically New Mexico. The region was originally inhabited by ancient Nuevos Mexicanos, who populated the region between Central America and the Rio Grande river valley in the United States. How does this setting enrich the story? What would happen if the novel were situated elsewhere? If you could rewrite the novel, what location would the story take place? Why?

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?

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