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Amelia Hasbrouck Bigger Terms questions Bless Me, Ultima 1.

Do you believe that this novel reinforces stereotypes of the Hispanic culture, or does it revise these stereotypes?

2. Antonio experiences several dreams throughout the novel. Each dream parallels an actual event in his life. How are these dreams significant and how do they progress as he gets older?

3. Death is a very important factor in the novel. How is death a significant role in the maturation of Antonio?

4. At the end of the novel Antonio reflects back on his thoughts of religion and questions if his mothers religion has been wrong. He then wonders if a new religion is possible. What are your thoughts on his question; is this question perhaps a reflection on his idea of a new path all his own, rather than the one his parents want for him?

5. We are left at the end of the novel not knowing which path Antonio takes as man. In your opinion, which path do you believe he takes; vaquero, a Priest, a farmer, or something different? Rationale: My questions mostly reflect on the end of the novel. I believe that questions that cause students to think of bigger terms of the novel come best after they have read the whole novel and can tie everything together. My questions mainly reflect on Antonio and his coming of age. Since most students reading this novel are near the end of their high school career, many are reaching adulthood and trying to decide what path to take. Where will the go to college, will they go at all, will they follow in their fathers footsteps or their mothers? Their problems are very similar to what Antonio is experiencing in the novel such as death and acceptance by family and friends and I want my questions to allow my students to connect the story to their own lives. My first question allows the student to think outside the book about the Hispanic culture itself and to create a larger understanding of the language and traditions that they read about and their significance to the story. The second and third questions create an abstract thinking atmosphere for the student. They must think in terms of metaphor and symbolism in deciphering the importance and use of the dreams in the story. The fourth question allows the student to reflect on their own beliefs and lives. This question lets the student actually invest a part of their selves into the story and look for deeper meaning in the reading. My last question is a more fun question to wrap up the open ending of the novel. It lets the student show a creative side as well as aiding in some meaningful learning since they are investing time in creating an ending to the story. I aimed my questions so that my students will feel free to answer in their own thoughts and beliefs rather than strictly right or wrong answers.

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