Like Water for Chocolate
Nancy F. Valdivia-Ochoa
Chicano 130
09/03/2013
"Like Water For Chocolate"
The first novel of Mexican novelist Laura Esquivel published in 1989 by 7th Dimension Entertainment Co., Inc. and later translated in 1992 by Carol and Thomas Christensen. This novel depicts a love story of forbidden true love that never died. The story takes place along the Mexico/U.S. Border during the height of the Mexican Revolution at the De La Garza ranch where the story of Tita de la Garza and her true love Pedro Muzquiz unfolds. Tita was the youngest of three daughters to Mama Elena. As part of the De La Garza tradition Tita was never to marry as her destiny was to take care of her mother until the day that she died. Many saw this tradition as ridiculous and absurd but to Mama Elena no one was going to abandon the tradition especially not one of her daughters. Times were different during these times and there was not much freedom given to young ladies that came from a descent family. Mama Elena was respected by all as an authority figure at the ranch but as a mother was feared because of her cruel and controlling demeanor. Mama Elena a strong, firm woman that would show little emotion towards her daughters.
The characters in the novel are Tita, the youngest daughter prohibited of loving a man since she will never marry as her life purpose is to care for her mother. Pedro Muzquiz, Tita's forbidden lover. Elena de la Garza, Tita's controlling mother who prohibits the marriage between Tita and Pedro. Rosaura, Tita's older sister which marries Pedro by suggestion of Mama Elena. Gertudis, The oldest sister which is later revealed in the novel of being the love child of Mama Elena's true love which was also forbidden being a mulato there was no way that their love would have been accepted during those times. Nacha, the family cook that taught Tita everything she knew in the kitchen. Nacha cared for Tita since she was a baby and was more of a mother figure than her mother
Chicano 130
09/03/2013
"Like Water For Chocolate"
The first novel of Mexican novelist Laura Esquivel published in 1989 by 7th Dimension Entertainment Co., Inc. and later translated in 1992 by Carol and Thomas Christensen. This novel depicts a love story of forbidden true love that never died. The story takes place along the Mexico/U.S. Border during the height of the Mexican Revolution at the De La Garza ranch where the story of Tita de la Garza and her true love Pedro Muzquiz unfolds. Tita was the youngest of three daughters to Mama Elena. As part of the De La Garza tradition Tita was never to marry as her destiny was to take care of her mother until the day that she died. Many saw this tradition as ridiculous and absurd but to Mama Elena no one was going to abandon the tradition especially not one of her daughters. Times were different during these times and there was not much freedom given to young ladies that came from a descent family. Mama Elena was respected by all as an authority figure at the ranch but as a mother was feared because of her cruel and controlling demeanor. Mama Elena a strong, firm woman that would show little emotion towards her daughters.
The characters in the novel are Tita, the youngest daughter prohibited of loving a man since she will never marry as her life purpose is to care for her mother. Pedro Muzquiz, Tita's forbidden lover. Elena de la Garza, Tita's controlling mother who prohibits the marriage between Tita and Pedro. Rosaura, Tita's older sister which marries Pedro by suggestion of Mama Elena. Gertudis, The oldest sister which is later revealed in the novel of being the love child of Mama Elena's true love which was also forbidden being a mulato there was no way that their love would have been accepted during those times. Nacha, the family cook that taught Tita everything she knew in the kitchen. Nacha cared for Tita since she was a baby and was more of a mother figure than her mother