1. Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
Today:
Symbolism (cont’d)
Esquivel’s brand of “magical realism”
Alchemy Recipes

2. My Dress Hangs There, 1933

3. Self-Portrait 1940

4. Symbolism- With
How is Kahlo using symbols in her art? What might the symbols represent?
Share findings of your art interpretations and character connections – stay focused!

5. Symbolism How are symbols used in Like Water for Chocolate?
What are some of the symbols we’ve seen in the novel?
What do they generally represent?

6. Symbolism Matches (p. 115-117) Tita’s hands (p. 108-9)
Capones (p. 27+)
Killing Quail (p. 49)
Are “birds” a motif in the novel?

7. Motif
A recurring object, concept, or structure in a work of literature.
A motif may also be two contrasting elements in a work, such as good and evil, fire & ice, etc.
A motif is important because it allows readers to see themes that the author is trying to express, so that they may interpret the work more accurately.

8. Motif
Notice:
capones (castrated chickens—completely domestic & flightless)
quail (a little more wild),
doves/pigeons
Tita’s hands (p )
If so, what is the THEME that this motif be highlighting?

9. Magical Realism
How does Esquivel create the effect of “magical realism” throughout the novel?

10. Magical Realism Food conveying emotions
Communication with spirit world
Hyperbole (a.k.a. exaggeration)
Occurrence of unnatural events (as if normal)
Folklore?
Find an example of each…

11. Magical Realism Food conveying emotions
Communication with spirit world
Nacha, Mama Elena, John’s grandmother)
Hyperbole (a.k.a. exaggeration)
Occurrence of unnatural events
veil, Gertrudis in shower…
Folklore?
Curandera, Bruja, la llarona, etc.

12. Themes around food
Making something special out of ordinary ingredients
Food conveying emotions
Using cooking as an act of resistance to oppression
Hunger/Appetite vs. Satisfaction/Satiety….Unfulfilled love/desire
….Alchemy???

13. Alchemy
1 : a medieval chemical science and speculative philosophy aiming to achieve the transmutation of the base metals into gold, the discovery of a universal cure for disease, and the discovery of a means of indefinitely prolonging life
2 : a power or process of transforming something common into something unique
3 : an inexplicable or mysterious transmutation

14. Alchemy in the novel Examples?
In what ways is cooking an “alchemical” process in the novel?
Is this true about cooking in general?

15. Alchemical Concoctions

16. Remember: Elements of Latin American literature
Realism
Historical fiction
Magical realism
Lives of ordinary people
Family sagas
Concern with social/political reform
Folklore
Latin cultural traditions

17. Homework Complete Novel! WHOA!
Extra credit for watching Frida and writing thoughtful response, connecting it to Lit/Hist class content (not summary). Typed! 10 points possible.
EC due by the end of the trimester!

18. Folklore: The traditional beliefs, myths, tales, and practices of a people, transmitted orally.
The presence of La Llarona
Other examples of folklore that you’ve seen in the novel?

19. Curandero/-a, Brujo/-a
A curandero (or curandera for a female) is a traditional folk healer or shaman in Hispanic-America, prevalent in Latin America, who is dedicated to curing physical and/or spiritual illnesses.

20. A Curandera's Concept of Medicine:
When the natural and the spiritual are not torn apart into disjointed entities, there is a balance between human and nature.
Human beings have a spiritual nature as well as an individual soul, and the body can not be cut away from the soul and spirit.
Humans are members of the natural world -animals, plants, minerals, earth, and all living things found on earth. Illness occurs when one does not live in harmony with all these aspects of "self."