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Ally Lubas
Ms. Gardner
English 10/ Period 4
17 October 2016

Bless Me Ultima: The Literary Work Of Wisdom

Black, Debora D. ""Times of Conflict: Bless Me, Ultima as a Novel of ..."

Cengage Learning, 2016. Web. 23 Oct. 2016.

This article, written by Debora D. Black, provides useful criticism on the literary work,

Bless
Me Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya. It is filled to the brim with rich information that
criticizes the novel in an inventive way. In the article, Black states that, At times it sweeps
across the mind of the reader with prose that sings with the music of poetry; at times it
fascinates the reader with the richness of the ethnic history of Chicano culture, and at times
it creates nostalgia for the innocence of youth and the chance to find again one's own
identity. Not only is the creative writing styles of Anaya revealed, the power struggle in
this memoir is noted as well. Bless Me, Ultima in terms of the power struggles that are a
result of acculturation, and how power, is diminished in one cultural discourse, often
accelerates in another, where the use of one type of power makes up for the inadequacies
that may exist from the loss of another. This quote further enhances the overarching
theme through the use of Rudolfs unique form of writing. Significantly, this article
outlines the creative methods of writing that Anaya uses throughout the book, in order to
enhance the overall themes of the memoir.

This article gives perceptive criticism for those who are either English majors hungry to
improve their writing game, or for those who just want accurate criticism on this intriguing
novel. The information is painless to interpret and is well organized. Black declares her
point of view so that both the everyday reader and the English major can benefit from her
literary criticism that looks at the many different aspects that make up this particular
novel. That said, with the both informative and easy to understand information, readers
from any background or lifestyle can start to see Bless Me Ultima in a new, imaginative
light due to the sophisticated criticism embedded in this article.

"NEA Big Read." NEA Big Read. Art Works, n.d. Web. 06 Nov. 2016.
Dan, Stone.
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Stones interview with Rudolfo Anaya offers honest and insightful information on not only
information on Anayas life but how events from Anayas childhood triggered events in the
novel.For example, how curandras became apart of the novel is revealed through this quote, I

took that very real world of women who are healers, or cuederans, but I moved it a little bit into
witchcraft to set up the conflict between good and evil.This quote reveals how curanderas
became a part of this novel and their role as being healers in Anayas life. From this interview
arise new perspectives and points of view that the reader might not have thought of at first. The
questions Stone asks are knowledgeable, and the answers Anaya gives are creditable and reveal a
much greater picture about his life and how events from his life are included in the novel.

This interview offers clear and informative information about the novel and Anayas life. For the
fan of Anayas work or the curious analytical person, this interview will be beneficial, providing
useful information that gives whoever reads this novel a better sense and perspective to keep in
mind. For example, this quote, I think the answer is, I write because I must. exposes Anayas
hunger to write and how he must write because it is something that he clearly enjoys. Ultimately,
this article provides insightful on how events in Anayas life played a significant role in the
novel, appealing to fans of Anayas literary works or for the people who wonder about who
Anaya Rudolfo is and what his works are.

Dawn, Sova B. "Censorship History of Bless Me, Ultima." Infobase Learning.

N.p., Feb. 2011. Web. 17 Oct. 2016.

This article, written by Sova B. Dawn, provides insightful information on why certain
schools are opposing the literary work Bless Me Ultima and why others are not. It is
enriched with vivid information about the different schools that disagree with this literary
work being taught to tenth graders. This source claims that, Parents and administrators
in several school districts have condemned the novel as filthy. Yet even though some of
the information negatively criticizes the novel, there is also positive information shared
such as when it is stated that First Lady Laura Bush placed the novel on her must- read
list. In the conclusion, Dawn boldly outlines this controversial matter coming to find that
determining which books are banned or kept in schools ultimately lies in the hands of our
countrys various school districts.
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Presented in this article is precise and accurate criticism concerning both sides of the issue;
making it an article definitely worth reading for those who have read the novel and are
curious about why some schools plan to keep the novel in their curriculum and while others
remove it. The author organizes this information in a clear, and straightforward way so a
school superintendent or even just the analytical person looking for an easy to read
controversial article can understand the different sides of the issue. As an example,
superintendent of Schools Rick Fauss stated his point of view on the radical literary work,
"There was excessive vulgarity or profanity used throughout the book." Ultimately, Dawn
tries to show both sides of the controversy in a respectful way on whether this novel should
be kept in schools or whether it should be forever banned.

Moritzky, Charles E. "La Bruja: Mexican Witchcraft." : Mexico History. MexConnect, 1996.
Web. 06. Nov. 2016.

This article, written by Charles E. Moritzky, provides informative information on brujas, also
known as cuederans using basic information he uncovered about the different types of brujas that
are known as brujas blancas, white witches, that are good, or brujas negras, black witches that
are bad. Moritzky even includes a personal narrative about his wifes cousin Joel and how
witchcraft affected him. The narrative in this article outlines how Joel became very sick and went
to see a cuederan for help and was told that a doctor could not help and that his neighbor, who
was a bruja was making him sick by casting spells on him. The cuederan suggested that he wear
red clothing and a cross attached to a red chain in hopes to make him feel better. Since he forgot
to wear a red cord and instead a black one, making him even sicker; the cuederan ordered the bad
spirits to abandon Joel. Soon after, Joel started to feel better however, a close neighbor died,
making Joel believe that it was the cuederans magic that killed his neighbor who was a bruja.

This article is filled with lots of elaborate information about Mexican witchcraft. The author
organizes the information along with the narrative in a manner that is easy to read and is well put
together, accessible to an expert on witchcraft or for those who are just curious about this
subject. Rather than a long, lengthy book, this article is short, having lots of useful information,
personal accounts, and uses a professional yet easy to understand tone that has an encouraging
and fresh approach on witchcraft.

"Rudolfo Anaya." Thelatinoauthorcom. N.p., 2016. Web. 06 Nov. 2016.

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This interview, written by the staff from Thelatinoauthor.com, gives a glimpse of Anayas
writing, his background, and how writing has been a part of his entire life ever since he was
young. This article outlines Anayas writing journey and how it has developed over the course of
his life. For example, he declares that, Writing is reaching into unexplored worlds, a creation of a new
world, and as such writing partakes in the highest order of creativity. This summarizes that Anaya is still
growing as a writer. In addition, this interview includes the motivation that Anayas uses to write,
which he says is a sacred place with a desk.

This interview offers clear and precise information that reveal Anayas background, his writing
and even how writing and its role in his life, which would interest those who are readers of his
literary works or those who just want to learn a little bit more about him. The information is well
organized and informative in this interview, allowing both the reader and the explorer to grow as
writers and as people. In conclusion, this interview with Anaya is very useful, providing
background information on him, his writing style and how writing has played a major role in
Anayas life and how he is still growing into a better writer,

Summers, David Lee. "New Mexico Witch Stories." The Scarlet Order. N.p., 08 Feb. 2016.
Web. 06. Nov. 2016

This article, written by David Lee Summers; is filled with many witchcraft accounts from New
Mexicos court records. Embedded in these accounts, is information about witchcraft and how it
has shaped the history of New Mexico. It outlines the many different accounts, revealing the
various ways women accused of witchcraft were punished. It even includes information on
witchcraft schools in New Mexico and how the witches were taught based on legends told by the
many generations who lived long ago, Legend has it that one such school existed in the Central
New Mexico town of Pea Blanca. Aspiring witches who attended this school were said to have
learned from the Devil himself how to transform into such animals as owls, doves and dogs.

This article on New Mexican witchcraft is filled with thorough and credible information that
would appeal to a witchcraft expert or for those who just want to learn about this mysterious
craft. The information is easy to interpret yet very educational at the same time, so both the
expert on witchcraft and the curious person can learn something about the craft and its history.
Ultimately, this article presents many different ideas about witchcraft and brings new
perspectives and thoughts about New Mexican witchcraft to those who take the time to read this
peculiar article.
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