Today: Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel NEW SEATS Wedding Toast skits!!! Elements of Latin American literature HW: Read March/April

The Mexican Revolution The Mexican Revolution was a major armed struggle that started with an uprising led by Francisco I. Madero against longtime dictator Porfirio Díaz. Díaz’s time in office is remembered for the advances he brought in industry and modernization, at the expense of human rights and liberal reforms. The working classes had been exploited (farmers, factory workers, etc.). The Mexican Revolution progressed into a long and complicated civil war and culminated in the Mexican Constitution of 1917. It is generally considered to have lasted until 1920, although the country would continue to encounter sporadic but comparatively minor outbreaks in the 1920s, such as the Cristero War.

Food and Memory

Food and Memory “…smells have the power to evoke the past, bringing back sounds and even other smells that have no match in the present” (9). “Tita liked to take a deep breath and let the characteristic smoke and smell transport her through the recesses of her memory” (9).

Food and Memory …in your life. Think back over your childhood and remember a food or dish that stands out to you. Pair share about this food/dish, using rich sensory details (emphasize smell and taste). Include description of the details of its preparation, the people who are present, etc. Experiments

Motif: Desire, longing, food “The moment they took their first bite of the cake, everyone was flooded with a great wave of longing….” (39).

Magical Realism

Wedding Toast skits In chapter 2 (February) Rosaura and Pedro marry. This activity will help you explore the characters we have met so far by anticipating what the toasts of different characters to the new couple will be. In groups of 3-4 you will be given a character. Based on what you know about this character so far, you must write two wedding toasts for Pedro and Rosaura: one will be a polite toast that hints at true feelings but keeps them polite. The other should be an honest response to the wedding (akin to an internal monologue for your character). You may decide if your toast comes before, during, or after the wedding cake eating scene…please set this up for us before your short skit

Elements of Latin American literature Realism Historical fiction Lives of ordinary people Family sagas Concern with social/political reform Folklore Latin cultural traditions Magical realism Do these apply to Like Water…

Common literary characteristics for Latin American literature Use of foreshadowing Use of symbolism Metaphor/simile With a partner, find an example of each of these. What else are you noticing about the writing style?

Homework Read “March” and “April” in Like Water For Chocolate