Like Water For Chocolate Como Agua Para Chocolate Laura Esquivel, born in Mexico, 1950 Grew up in Mexico City; attended Escuela Normal de Maestros "I grew up in a modern home, but my grandmother lived across the street in an old house that was built when churches were illegal in Mexico.

Historical Context Mexican revolution: began in 1910…culminated in the Mexican Constitution in 1917 Women’s role in society Machismo v. Women’s suffrage Masculine superiority is culturally accepted Not always gender-specific

Like Water For Chocolate Themes Duty and Responsibility, Obedience Tears Cruelty and violence Supernatural: Magic Realism Victim/victimization Sex roles Love and passion Sanity Creativity Food

Symbolism Fire Water The title of the book Food Heat, Passion, Danger, Destruction, Creation Water Creates, nourishes, destroys The title of the book What happens to chocolate when water is introduced to it? Food As sustenance, as magic, as an aphrodisiac, as an article of control and manipulation

Key Characters Tita – the protagonist, youngest daughter of Mama Elena Mama Elena – forceful, tyrannical matriarch of the De La Garza family Pedro – Tita’s true love and soul mate Rosaura – second daughter of Mama Elena, who marries Pedro Gertrudis – eldest daughter, becomes a general in the revolutionary army Dr. John Brown – falls in love with Tita, unrequited love Nacha – the ranch cook, Tita’s mentor Chencha – Tita’s companion in the kitchen Roberto & Esperanza – children of Pedro and Rosaura Alex – son of Dr. Brown, father of the narrator. Marries Esperanza

Chapter Organization Month by Month January: Christmas Rolls February: Chabela Wedding Cake March: Quail in Rose Petal Sauce April: Turkey Mole with Almonds and Pumpkin Seeds May: Northern Style Chorizo June: A Recipe for Making Matches July: Ox Tail Soup August: Champandongo September: Chocolate and Three Kings Day Bread October: Cream Fritters November: Beans with Chile Tezcucana Style December: Chiles in Walnut Sauce

La Pregunta Principal What are the primary roles that food plays in Like Water For Chocolate? We’ve already discussed that food operates (symbolizes…) as sustenance, magic, aphrodisiac, and an article of control and manipulation… But how else does Tita use food?