z Bless Me Ultima By Rudolfo Anaya z

z Bless Me, Ultima By, Rudolfo Anaya

z Setting § Guadalupe, New Mexico. § It is set during the time of World War II (1941 - 1945) and after. § In a deeper sense, the novel’s setting is in its cultural history. The land the people are marked by the history of place. The spirit and lore of Native Americans is present in the place and the people. They were displaced by the Spanish conquistadors who brought two kinds of people: the vaqueros (cowboys) of the llano and the priests and farmers of the land. § The traces of Mexican past are also in the land. New Mexico belonged to Mexico before it was taken by the U. S. in the Mexican War of 1855. The ancient religion of the Aztecs also persists in the customs of the people who presently inhabit New Mexico.

New Mexico

z z El Llano Las Pasturas §Plains region covering Eastern New Mexico and parts of Texas. Very flat apart from mesas, few trees. §Area of the Llano where cowboys run their livestock.

z z Vaquero Llanero § A cowboy/ranch hand § Someone who lives in the Llano, particularly a cowboy.

z z Curandera §A traditional healer in Mexican culture. A woman who knows herbs and remedies, worker of miracles.

z Main Characters

z z La Grande/Ultima: a curandera who comes to live with the main character's family

z z Antonio Márez (Tony): protagonist of BMU. Story is told from his point of view; a memoir of when Ultima came to live with his family when he was 6. He feels a connection to Ultima, as she was his mother's midwife when he was born.