Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya

BLESS ME, ULTIMA

BY RUDOLFO ANAYAVocabulary

VANTAGE “From the top of the stairs I had a

vantage point into the heart of our home, my mother’s kitchen” (Anaya 1).

Part of speech – noun Definition – a position, condition, or

place affording some advantage or a commanding view

Compare and contrast the words vantage and advantage.

INTERMINABLE “Deborah and Theresa were happy

because Ultima did many of the household chores they normally did, and they had more time to spend in the attic and cut out an interminable train of paper dolls which they dressed, gave names to, and most miractulously, made talk” (Anaya 14).

Part of speech – adjective Definition – infinite Synonyms – boring, ceaseless, constant,

continuous, never ending

The word interminable is defined as infinite. The words infinite and infinity are not thought of as having negative connotations.

Examine the synonyms for interminable. What connotation do they give to the word?

Based on your answer, use the word interminable in a sentence.

SHACKLED “And if there was very much anger in

him he cursed my mother because she was the daughter of farmers, and it was she who kept him shackled to one piece of land” (Anaya 28).

Part of speech – verb Definition – restrain Synonyms – bind, chain, cuff, hold

A SHACKLED PRISONER…

Write two sentences using the word shackled. In the first sentence, werite about a person who is figuratively shackled (as illustrated in the quote from the book). In the second sentence, write about a person who is literally shackled (as illustrated in the picture).

BROOD “My mother took one last cursory glance at

her brood then led the way up the goat path…” (Anaya 33).

Part of speech – noun Definition – a number of young produced or

hatched at one time; a family of offspring or young.

Part of speech – verb Definition – to sit upon eggs to hatch, as a

bird; incubate. OR – to think or worry persistently or

moodily about; ponder

The word brood has multiple definitions. Hypothesize the etymology of this word. In other words, guess the history of this word and how these multiple definitions developed.

PLAINTIVE “It was sad to hear their plaintive voices

in that candle-lit room” (Anaya 44). Part of speech – adjective Definition – mournful, expressing sorrow

The adjective plaintive can easily be confused with the noun plaintiff. A plaintiff is a person who is suing in a court. Create a sentence in which you use both words.

TURGID “My brothers had spent the winter

sleeping during the day and in town at night. They were like turgid animals who did things mechanically” (Anaya 64).

Part of speech – adjective Definition – 1. swollen & distended;

congested 2. language that is pompous or ostentatious.

1. How are the two definitions of turgid related?

2. What is a simile in the quote from the book? What is Anaya trying to say about the brothers?

SLIGHT “Later we would go and stay with my

uncle Juan because it was his turn that my mother’s family visit with his and it would slight his honor if she didn’t…” (Anaya 48).

Part of speech – adjective Definition – 1. small in amount 2. of little

importance 3. slender or slim Part of speech – verb Definiton – to treat someone with

indifference or ignore

Examine the four definitions of slight. How are they all related?

Write two sentences using the word slight. Your first sentence should use the word as an adjective and the second sentence should use slight as a verb.

DEJECTED “My father was dejected about his sons

leaving, and he drank more than before “ (Anaya 83).

Part of speech – adjective Definition – depressed or discouraged

Compare and contrast the words dejected and rejected.

PRESCRIBED “My uncle Pedro had come to seek the

help of Ultima and we all knew it, but there was a prescribed ceremony they had to go through” (Anaya 84).

Part of speech – verb Definition – 1. to lay down course of

action to be followed2. to order the use of medicine or treatment

Synonyms – (for definition #1) – appoint, ordain, establish, recommend

Use the first definition to write a sentence for prescribed. Be sure I can tell what the word means through the sentence you write.