Welcome to our class web site!

From this site, we can share our research, our creativity, and our insights.  Have fun with the resources I have linked to this page, and be sure to research Questbridge, which provides families with scholarships to our nation’s top universities.

1. subscribe to this site using the feature “subscribe by email.”  If you don’t have an email account, today is your day to create one.  I suggest using gmail because Google provides free software for its gmail users.

2. Bless Me Ultima: From the novel, I want you to find a favorite quote related to setting, characterization, plot, or author’s style.  Copy the quote and include the page number.  Then explain why this quote is significant for you and how it relates to the novel’s development.

3. When you post comments, please be polite, identify yourself, and use either standard or academic register–after all we are practicing for college!

Two tips for using this site: 1) write your comment in a word document first. Then, paste it into the comment field.  2) If your comment does not post, DO NOT click back.  Instead, click the refresh button.  Otherwise your work will be lost.

4. Write a thoughtful response to one of your classmate’s comments

Thanks for all your hard work.

Sincerely,

Mr. Coey

107 thoughts on “Welcome to our class web site!”

  1. “You mean God doesn’t give understanding?”
    “Understandind comes with life,” he answered, “as a man grows he sees life and death, he is happy and sad, he works, plays, meets people-sometimes it takes a lifetime to acquire understanding, because in the end understanding simply means having sympathy for people,” he said. (pg.248) I chose this quote because as a reader it answered my own questions about understand and from where it comes. I also thought this quote seemed to reveal what I believe might be the author’s message.

    1. Great quote Toubee! I should have seen this quote! I like how this quote was leading you to think of the author’s message. 😀

  2. I had been afraid of the awful presence of the river, which was the soul of the river, but through her I learned that my spirit shared in the spirit of all things.(15)

    I like this passage because It make me think more about Antonio, ultima, and the river. Also I like how the author wrote it too. This passage developed the novel is that Antonio beginning and realizing that his spirit shared with all the spirit of things.

  3. I don’t know, maybe it’s because the war made men out of us too fast, maybe it’s because their dreams were never real to begin with—I guess if anyone is going to fit into their dreams it’s going to have to be you, Tony. Just don’t grow up too fast, he added. It seems like Antonio is growing up too fast, which he SHOULDN’T, he should stay a kid, being a kid is great! And don’t go to war! yeaa

  4. I believe that the golden carp myth was affecting tony and his dreams because tony had a dream. This dream was that there was going to be a flood. The flood was created by the golden carp in the river. The reason for the flood was because the people’s sins were increasing. The more sins there are more the golden carp would make the flood.

  5. “When she came the beauty of the llano unfolded before my eyes, and the gurgling waters of the river sang to the hum of the turning earth. The magical time of childhood stood still, and the pulse of the living earth pressed its mystery into my living blood. She took my hand, and the silent, magic powers she possessed made beauty from the raw, sun-baked llano, the green river valley, and the blue bowl which was the white sun’s home (1).”

    This passage here tells the setting, characterization, plot, and author’s style. The setting expressed is the llano. There is also a direct characterization about Ultima. From reading this passage, the plot is about the earth. The author’s style is unique becasue he used personifications such as: living earth pressed its mystery into my living blood. In my opinion, this passage is important because it’s a very descriptive introduction. It described the changes that occur when Ultima came to the llano.

      1. Mr Coey,
        The descriptions shown about the earth when Ultima came tells me what the earth was back then. Antonio explained what the earth was like when Ultima came. I believed that it was dull back then and no one was willing to do any better on it.

        1. Isn’t the earth of the past a place of mysterious beauty, reverence, and perfection? There seem to be only positive images associated with the earth in this novel.

          1. You’re right Mr. Coey. Throughout the story, the earth was pretty much a place of beauty. Based on this, did the earth became more beautiful after Ultima came to live with Antonio and his family?

  6. The rest of the summer was good for me, good in the sense that I was filled with its richness and it made strength from everything that had happened to me, so that in the end even the final tragedy could not defeat me. And that is what Ultima tried to teach me, that the tragic consequences of life can be overcome by the magical strength that resides in the human heart.(249)
    From identifying key words such as: overcome, magical, tragedy, and heart I can infer that Antonio is describing how he has grown and matured as a young man. This quote is very significant to me because it is portraying to me how much Antonio’s heart is growing stronger. When I see this quote, I like to think about the old wise saying “ what doesn’t kill you can only make you stronger.” This saying helps me understand that the tragedies that Antonio witnessed hurt his soul, but they also made his heart magical and stronger because now he can better understand the true meaning of life and not go through the world with so many questions and not knowing.

    1. I absolutly like how you connected this quote from the book to another quote used in everyday life. It does sound like Tony’s becoming a matured young man and becoming who he was supposed to become as his destiny. Whether it was a priest or a vaquero. This shows us readers that whatever his destiny is, later in the story he will make his parents proud and not put shame to his family’s name.

  7. “You mean God doesn’t give understanding?” ” Understanding comes with life,” he answered(pg.248) I chose this quote because it had a very deep meaning that touched me. This quote seems to reveal the author’s theme of what “Bless Me Ultima” is about.

    1. toubee in what way did this quote touch you? what went through your mind when u read this?
      BTW nice quote. I the answer that was given was great.

  8. “Hey Tony’s gonna be a priest!” “Hey, let’s practice going to confession and make Tony the priest!” Ernie shouted. … “Tony be the priest!”… “No, no.”I begged . This scene later has him in trouble in the game for letting Florence go. The gang later beats him up. This will probably stop tony from being a priest. It was funny when Bones told him his confession.

  9. “I felt my body wet with sweat. I tried to call to Ultima but there was no voice; I tried to move but there was no movement. I suffered the spasms of pain my uncle suffered, and these alternated with feelings of elation and power. When the pain passed a wave of energy seemed to sweep through my body. Still, I could not move. And I could not take my eyes from my uncle. I felt that somehow we were going through the same cure, but I could not explain it”. (pg.100)
    This was the part that I like the most because I can think of Antonio actually feeling his pain and I can feel it too. I can see that he was going through the same cure his uncle Lucas is going through so I believe that at that time he believe that there was more to it the he now because of what happen that night.

      1. its scary but hey it was kool how the writer can acturally make you be Antonio and understand what he is going through at that moment.

  10. “yes!” I shouted in his face. I had felt like running away, but I remembered my father and narcisco standing firm for ultima. I saw Ernie’s eyes narrow and I felt the vacuum created as everyone held his breath. Then Ernie’s arm snapped out and the football hit me full in the face. I instinctively struck out and felt my fist land on his chin (146). I think this was interesting because it shows him standing up for himself unlike before…

    1. Jose,

      Why are these scenes with the rambunctious children in the novel? What purpose does it serve for developing the novel?

      Kind Regards,
      Coey

  11. “..The sweet water of the moon which falls as rain is the same water that gathers into rivers and flows to fill the seas. Without the water of the moon to replenish the oceans there would be no oceans. And the same salt waters of the oceans are drawn by the sun to the heavens, and in turn become again the waters formed to slake the dark earth’s thirst. The waters are one, Antonio. I looked into her bright, clear eyes and understood her truth. You have been seeing only parts, she finished, and not looking beyond into the great cycle that binds us all. Then there was peace in my dreams and I could rest.” I like this quote because his mother is telling him to open his eyes and see what is real. I like the way it sounds because of the diction the author chose to use.

    1. Brittany,

      In what ways is this imagery related to Ultima and Antonio? How are they connected to the great cycle?

      Warm Regards,
      Coey

  12. “When she was through I saw that she had molded three dolls. They were lifelike, but I did not recognize the likeness of the clay dolls as anyone I knew…….she dressed the dolls with scraps of cloth which she took from her black bag. When she was done she stood the three dolls around the light of the flickering candle…Ultima spoke to the three women “You have done evil, but good is stronger than evil, and what you sought to do will undo you” She lifted the three dolls to and held them to my sick uncle’s mouth, and when he breathed on them they seemed to squirm in her hands” (101)

    This passage is significant to me because what Ultima is doing seems to be witchcraft and yet she claims not to be a witch and this develops her character.

    1. Beatris,

      Yet, in the scene where Ultima must cross the threshold and must unambiguously demonstrate her ability to embrace God, the owl tears out Tenorio’s eye, causing a distraction. Next, we see Ultima has crossed the threshold; however, the blessed needles were strewn about the ground. Could she withstand the sign of God?

      Kind Regards,
      Coey

  13. “A curandera cannot give away her secrets,” she said, “but if a person really wants to know, then he will listen and see and be patient. Knowledge comes slowly” (34)
    I chose this quote because it shows how a behind a curandera or any other person, there can be a mystery and if you really want to know then you will not rush to discover that person.

    1. I agree with Stanley, i like this quote from the book. Its like a person cannot give their secrets away and not give themself out. If someone really wanted to know who they are and figure them out, then it would take time.

      1. Yeah, I agree angelina to me this quote gives also some type of mystery because like it said in the book ” she could not give away her secrets” therefore it leaves the person anxious to want to know more about that person, but it takes time .

  14. Oh please tell me which is the water that runs through my veins, I moaned; oh please tell me which is the water that washes my burning eyes. It is the sweet water of the moon, my mother crooned softly, it is the water the Church chooses to make holy and place in its font. It is the water of your baptism.Lies, lies,my father laughed , through your body runs the salt water of the oceans. It is that the water whiich makes you Marez and Luna. It is the water that binds you to the pegan god of Cinco, the golden carp (120)
    I chose this quote from the book because it shows how Antonio is lost and he does not know which side of the family he belongs to. I think its interesting because they compare the mother and father with water of how the mother has the baptisium and the father is like the ocean. 😀

  15. Its funny you chose this because I was close to choosing it to. This passage is hilarious like you said. -____- !!!

  16. Roque the bully made a riddle about Willie peeing on himself.
    “Willie Willie two-by-four , can’t get in the bathroom door, so he does it on the floor” (193)
    I find this quote interesting because it shows how mean certain kids can be in school. I’ve seen kids be bullied and it sounds just like it does in this book. A student should be able to use the restroom without being bothered, that’s invading personal space. This relates to the novel’s development because it gets outside of the serious side of the book and adds a piece of imagery we can relate to. Showing the book doesn’t have to be serious all the way through.

    1. Jalen,

      I’m pleased that you shared a humorous passage. The comedy seems to break up some of the more intense scenes and allow us as readers to experience a range of emotions. How would the feel of the novel be different without these funny chapters?

      Sincerely,
      Coey

  17. “I had been afraid of the awful presence of the river… (15)” I like this part because it tells you that something is bad that is going to happen.

  18. “She took my hand, and I felt the power of a whirlwind sweep around me. Her eyes swept the surrounding hills and through them I saw for the first time the wild beauty of our hills and the magic of the green river….complete being.”(pg.12)
    The reason why I chose this paragraph as my favorite quote because I feel, it expresses what Antonio is seeing in his head while he gives his hand to Ultima. When I’m reading this paragraph I can visualize every bit of what he felt and also feel what he’s feeling. For example “ the wild beauty of our hills and the magic of the green river”, when I picture this I see a sandy place with wild plants and animals everywhere and a green river flowing with the sun’s reflection. This paragraph shows us the beauty of the llano and how Ultima sees the llano in her eyes.

    1. Is that passage seen through Tony or Ultima’s point-of-view? How much do Tony and Ultima share when they are together? Do they see as one?

      1. This passage is seen through Tony’s point of view because it describes what he is feeling and seeing while they both touch hands. “I saw for the first time the wild beauty of the llano.” In my opinion, i think they do share as one because its like he’s seeing the beauty of the llano through Ultima’s eyes and feels it through her touch.

  19. “It was thin and drawn, with tufts of beard growing on it. The eyes were dark and narrow. An evil glint emanated from them. The thin lips trembled when he snarled, “Because you are a bruja!” Spots of saliva curled at the edges of the mouth” (Pg. 93)
    I like this quote because it’s so descriptive and it is easy to visualize everything being said. He is being described thoroughly. This quote is showing the type of character that Tenorio is and will be later on in the story. It described him physically and developed Tenorio’s character.

      1. I agree the scream is also another aspect of his character. The author does a great job of describing each character.

  20. “The orange of the golden carp appeared at the edge of the pond. As he came out of the darkness of the pond the sun caught his shiny scale and the light reflected orange and yellow and red.(115)
    This quote is significant to me because it I like stories that talks about sports or fishing trips. Also I chose this because it showed or described the setting of the story and the details of the golden carp.

  21. “I felt Ultima’s hand on my head and at the same time I felt a great force, like a whirlwind, swirl about me (55).” I think this quote is significant to me because I think “a great force” has more meaning to it and I think it relates to the imagery between Antonio and Ultima.

  22. ” Green bile poured from his mouth, and finally he vomited a huge ball of hair. It fell to the floor, hot and steaming and wiggling like live snakes.” (103)
    I chose this quote because I like scary stories and this part of the story was creepy to me. Also this quote showed a lot of the author’s stlye. It showed the author’s use of imagery and also showed magical realism. It showed magical realism by the ball of hair that was alive and wiggling. This helped me understand the author’s style by his diction and how he used metaphor to describe the ball of hair. These 2 sentences added suspense to the story.

  23. “The thin, hunched body jumped up and spun around. I think I jumped at the sight of his face. It was thin and drawn, with tufts of beard growing on it. The eyes were dark and narrow. An evil glint emanated from them. The thin lips trembled when he snarled, “Because you are a bruja!” Spots of saliva curled at the edges of the mouth.” (93)
    I chose a long quote, but it’s very sinister and dark. Because of scary feel to it, this part of the novel became my favorite. I’m very interested in things that seem deformed, such as “hunched body.” ~__~ It reminds me of a scary movie, which is my favorite type of movie. (: It describes Tenorio, so well that I could probably draw an image of him. It helps develop the image of the evil father of the daughters who made Lucas sick. D:

    1. Character description is one great way to develop a character. I think the “tufts of beard” show how unkempt, and repulsive Tenorio is.

  24. “The summer came and burned me brown with its energy, and the llano and the river filled me with their beauty. the story of the golden carp continued to haunt my dreams (83).”
    These two sentence have imagery, word choice, tone and setting. I chose these two sentences because of the word choice used in both. It showed how deep he felt or how connected Antonio was to the llano and the river. The second sentence reminded me of a short story about my father’s home in Mexico. I realized that I to had dreams about the story that I was told and almost all of the dreams were not ones that I would want to have again.

        1. I believe that the golden carp myth was affecting tony and his dreams because tony had a dream. This dream was that there was going to be a flood. The flood was created by the golden carp in the river. The reason for the flood was because the people’s sins were increasing. The more sins there are more the golden carp would make the flood.

  25. “That night in my dreams I walked by the shore of a great lake. A bewitching melody filled the air. It was the song of the mer-woman! I looked into the dark depths of the lake and saw the golden carp, and all around him were the people he had saved. On the bleached shores of the lake the carcasses of the sinners rotted.” (119)
    This passage really expresses the setting, plot, and the author’s style. It includes a lot of descriptions and details. It also shows how the author chooses what words to include and how to introduce the reality of life and the afterlife. Also, this passage really shows where the plot of the story is going. It shows how people that are good in life will be happy in the afterlife and the people that are evil in life will rot away in the afterlife. :O

      1. I think that this can be an example of mythology but it also sort of demonstrates Catholicism or Christianity. The way God will judge people at the end of time.

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