Like Water for Chocolate Opening Powerpoint English III

About the Author Her name is Laura Esquivel. She is from Mexico City. She also wrote the screenplay when it became a movie. LWFC was published first in Spanish in 1989. It was translated into English in 1992.

Background Information The English-subtitled film became one of the most popular foreign-language films in American film history. It was the largest grossing foreign film ever released in the United States.

Genre: Magical Realism Like Water for Chocolate belongs to the genre of magical realism. This is a style of storytelling, which infuses magical elements into mundane everyday situations, conditions, and practices. The idea is to reveal essential and extraordinary aspects of human relations imbedded in everyday activities.

Brief Synopsis Reportedly, Esquivel used an episode from her own family to write her book. She had a great-aunt named Tita, who was forbidden to wed. Tita never did anything but care for her own mother. Soon after her mother died, so did Tita. The book has been a tremendous international success: The No. 1 best-selling book in Mexico for three years; it's also been translated into 23 languages.

Set-up Each chapter is a “monthly installment" and labeled with the months of the year; we learn of Tita's struggle to pursue true love and claim her independence. Each installment features a recipe to begin each chapter. Food is often a direct cause of physical and emotional unrest in the story, and serves as a medium through which emotions can be expressed.

Mexican Revolution of 1910 For most of Mexico's developing history, a small minority of the people were in control of most of the country's power and wealth, while the majority of the population worked in poverty. As the rift between the poor and rich grew under the leadership of General Díaz, the political voice of the lower classes was also declining. Opposition of Díaz did surface, when Francisco I. Madero, educated in Europe and at the University of California, led a series of uprisings throughout the country.

Historical Context Cont… Díaz was pressured into holding an election in 1910, in which Madero was able to gather a significant number of the votes. Although Díaz was at one time a strong supporter of the one-term limit, he seemed to have changed his mind (surprise, surprise). He had Madero imprisoned, feeling that the people of Mexico just weren't ready for democracy.

Historical Context Cont… Once Madero was released from prison, he continued his battle against Díaz in an attempt to have him overthrown. During this time, several other Mexican heroes began to emerge, including the well known Pancho Villa in the north, and the peasant Emiliano Zapata in the south. They were able to overcome the Mexican army and gain control of their respective regions.

Historical Context Cont… Madero was eventually elected president, but received opposition from Emiliano Zapata. Zapata felt Madero wasn’t acting quickly enough with his reforms and changes. In November of the same year, Zapata denounced Madero as president and took the position for himself. He chased out the estate owners and divided their lands up for the peasants. Later, in 1919, Zapata was assassinated due to an order from General Pablo Gonzalez.

Historical Context Cont… It was during this time that the country broke into many different factions, and guerilla units roamed across the country destroying and burning down many large haciendas and ranches. Overall, this was a time of political unrest in Mexico, which left the everyday citizens in constant fear of looting and violence by soldiers/militia.

Author’s Purpose Esquivel uses the revolution to explore themes of masculinity and gender identity. She also explores the ideas of revolution and liberty, both literally with the war, and figuratively with Tita’s struggles within herself.

Main 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, they have an 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