Final answer:
In 'Bless Me, Ultima,' Tenorio and his men seek to harm Ultima because they accuse her of witchcraft and blame her for misfortunes, which reflects a wider cultural and ideological conflict within the novel. Tenorio's vendetta is driven by personal loss, fear of the unknown, and the clash between traditional and modern worldviews.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the novel Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya, Tenorio and his men want to harm Ultima because they believe she is a witch, responsible for casting spells that have negatively affected their lives. Tenorio's hatred towards Ultima intensifies when one of his daughters falls ill and he accuses Ultima of being a bruja, a Spanish word for witch. Throughout the story, Tenorio represents evil and is in stark contrast to Ultima who is seen as a healing and nurturing force, one that is connected deeply to the traditional ways and the earth. Ultima, or La Grande as she is also known, is a curandera, which is a traditional folk healer or shaman in the Hispanic American culture, adept in using medicinal herbs and spiritual practices to cure ailments.
As the plot unfolds, Tenorio's malicious intentions manifest in different attempts to undermine Ultima's influence and eventually lead to physical threats and violence. Cultural misunderstandings and superstitions, along with a personal vendetta, fuel Tenorio's obsession with destroying Ultima. His actions are influenced by the wider conflict between traditional indigenous beliefs personified by Ultima and the encroaching influence of modern, institutional religions and social structures represented by Tenorio and his followers.
The tension between the two worldviews reflects a broader theme in the novel: the struggle between good and evil, knowledge and ignorance, and the complexities of cultural identity in the Southwest. Through this conflict, Anaya explores deep philosophical questions about the nature of faith, the power of cultural heritage, and the challenges posed by change and modernity. The personal vendetta of Tenorio against Ultima symbolizes the fear and animosity that arises when the unfamiliar challenges established norms and beliefs.