1. Like Water for Chocolate The Basics
Published in 1989 by Laura Esquiviel
Translated into English in 1992—became a best seller AND a movie this year
Noteworthy because:
Allegory for dictatorship
Use of magical realism in
text
Embodies voices
otherwise unheard

2. Historical Context Mexican Revolution of 1910-1917
Constant instability in government leadership
Frequent shifts in power, acts of revolt, and violence for revolutionaries and citizens.
Civil war from —revolts continued after war ended.

3. How it shows up: Soldiers’ actions on the ranch:
“They had to get every possible use from this pig, one of the few animals that had survived the visit from the revolutionary army had made to the ranch a few days before.” 
“They raped Chencha. Mama Elena […] suffered a strong blow to her spine and was left a paraplegic, paralyzed from the waist down.”

4. Further Historical Context
2. Role of Women
Patriarchal society—women existed to serve men and/or their families
A woman’s place was the home—sense of feeling trapped created their own “female culture”

5. How it shows up:
Tita is forced to never marry because of her “duty” to her mother. She makes sure Esperanza does not suffer the same fate.
Gertrudis becomes a GENERAL in the army after stripping down naked and escaping on a horse. WOAH.

6. Style: Magical Realism
A style of telling a story by infusing magical elements into everyday situations, conditions and practices.
The idea is to reveal essential aspects of human relations imbedded in everyday activities.

7. How it shows up: SO MANY WEIRD AND AWESOME WAYS: Ghosts and spirits
Tita, a virgin, nursing Roberto   
The knitted blanket of Tita’s sorrows
The salt in the tears shed at Tita’s birth.
The bath house fire set by Gertrudis’ passion.
The soldier’s ability to smell Gertrudis’ passion.

8. Theme A main idea or underlying message of a literary work.
Can be multiple examples in one text.
Supported by textual evidence.
Mama Elena’s demand that Tita take care of her is a crucial part of the story.
FAMILY OBLIGATIONS

9. Author’s Purpose The author’s reason for writing a particular text.
Connected with theme.
Supported by textual evidence.
To illustrate the injustice of family obligations for Latina women at this time in history
Tita’s life is a struggle until Mama Elena dies and Tita is finally free.