Laura Esquivel, author of Like Water for Chocolate, subverts many of her important characters' traditional gender roles, while other characters embrace them and continue the destructive cycle. In particular, Rosaura and Pedro alike accept their role through manipulation and fear from Mama Elena and her outdated traditions. Pedro is the romantic interest of Tita, sister of Rosaura, in the story. Traditionally the youngest daughter, Tita, is never allowed to marry and assume the caretaker role of their mother until death. Pedro wants more than anything to marry Tita, but he does not resist Mama Elena’s objection, and rather takes Titas sister's hand in marriage to remain closer to her. When his father asks why he won’t keep his vow to Tita, …show more content…
Although he cares for Tita, he is unable at times to put her needs and happiness first. For many years, Tita is subjugated to work for Mama Elena without any hope of a freedom or future apart from being a servant. When she gains the freedom and independence from the ranch, and falls in love with John, Pedros reaction is selfish. “When all four of them gathered together in the center of the living room to drink the toast, Pedro clicked his glass so violently against the others that it broke into a thousand pieces and their champagne was splashed onto their clothes and faces”(Esquivel 156). The anger that John asking for Titas hand in marriage brings Pedro causes him to break his glass against the others. He has a family and wife, and although he wants to be with Tita instead, should be at peace with the decision she makes. Once John has left, Pedro, consumed with jealousy, pulls Tita into a dark room and takes her virginity. “Without answering, Pedro went to her, extinguished the lamp, pulled her onto a brass bed that had once belonged to her sister Gertrudis, and threw himself upon her, caused her to lose her virginity and learn of true love” (Esquivel 158). While she isn’t opposed to his actions, Pedro knows it will cause tension between him and Tita, and John and Rosaura. He chooses his own selfish desires over Titas' …show more content…
She aids in reinforcing Mama Elena's cruel traditions not only on Tita, but on her own daughter as well. Throughout the book, Rosauras actions support Mama Elena’s ideas on the youngest daughters being subservient to her until she dies. “Fine, if that's what you want, let's start there. With your wrongful claim to a boyfriend. You had no right to have a boyfriend… According to the family tradition, which you were breaking” (Esquivel 213). Despite Rosaura being conscious of the emotional turmoil her marriage caused the entire family, she was too prideful to admit, even after the death of Mama Elena, that it was a mistake. This accusation came from a place of jealousy, with her being well aware that Pedro never felt loyalty towards her, and simply married her to stay near Tita. When John's young son jokingly told Alex’s parents he wanted to marry her someday, Rosaura immediately shut him down. “They all laughed at that, but when Rosaura explained to Alex that he couldn’t because this little girl was destined to take care of her until the day she died, Tita felt her hair stand on end” (Esquivel 150). Rosaura knew of the loneliness and neglect Tita had endured her entire life spent on the ranch, but still planned on carrying out the tradition with her own daughter. She was never able to empathize with Tita, and accept her decisions as an independent
With El Patron by his side, he makes hateful remarks such as “Make your women toe the line. ”(108). In the end, Maria is forced to give Matt a kiss. But in the moment, he starts regretting his choices but mustn’t back out now since it is far too late(110). Later in the book, on chapter 12, page 112.
Ms. Ruiz is the reason that Rosalina is able to fulfill her desire to travel outside of her closed- knit surroundings and explore the openness of the world. Ms. Ruiz gives Rosalina a special necklace that is said to possess the spirit of a dog. Ms. Ruiz is also struggling to find her place in the community and in the social group in her neighborhood. Ms. Ruiz is seen differently from the norm in the neighborhood therefore people intentionally avoid having contact with her. Ms. Ruiz has had many pleasant encounters with Rosalina and feels an obligation to help as well.
Titas mother has a solution: She offers up her second oldest child to Pedro. This creates a divide between Tita and her mother and sister. Pedro shows his devotion to Tita by asking her to marry him, and settling for her sister. He knows that he will never be able to be with Tita and that this is the only way he can be close to her.
Pedro’s strong feelings for Tita are symbolized in his actions during dinner and show that he is jealous about the engagement, and also passionate about his love for
Maddie Molek Mr. Williams AP Literature and Composition 16 May 2023 Title of Your Report After reuniting with a close friend, Tita cries so heavily that she floods the house she was staying in. This is an event from the novel Like Water for Chocolate, by Laura Esquivel. This novel follows the life of Tita De La Garza, a girl living with her family on their ranch in Mexico. Throughout the book, hyperbolized actions often follow Tita, such as her tears that can flood a house.
Although John would prefer to be the one Tita chose, he would be perfectly content with her choosing Pedro instead because it would make her happy. Instead of being commanding and in-charge like most men are portrayed to be, he instead put aside his own desires for those of Tita. In one case in the novel, after Rosaura has recovered from her illness, Pedro found himself in a situation that required him to conceive with Rosaura. He begrudgingly does what is expected of him after much avoiding, “That night, realizing that he wouldn’t be able to ignore his conjugal duty forever, Pedro knelt by the bed, on which the nuptial
Mama Elena often displays the societal expectations and pressures on the characters. Tita becomes a main opposition to Mama Elena, constantly attempting to disobey her rules set in place in order to be with Pedro. Very early in the novel, Tita is refused the right to marry Pedro due to the fact that she exists in the family only to serve the members when they age because Tita is the youngest child. Due to this, Mama Elena imposes multiple restrictions onto Tita such as cooking, being forbidden to marry, having to serve Mama Elena in her old age along with Rosaline, and other rules. Even once Mama Elena passes, her spirit looms over Tita, constantly forcing guilt and dread onto her.
Mama Elena is known for abusing her authority by telling Pedro's father instead of marrying Tita he should marry Rosaura. For example, "But if you really want Pedro to get married, allow me to suggest my daughter Rosaura, who's just two years older than Tita"(13). She shows that as being the head of the house, she can do anything in her way. Her power is also showing that she can make somebody suffer. Another way she shows her strength is by beating Tita.
It contained a diary and a packet of letters written to Mama Elena from someone named José Treviño. Tita put them in order by date and learned the true story of her mothers love. José was the love of her life”(137). The author's choice to add this aspect of depth to the story brings in a new perspective
Senora Ines told Rosaura that she is the only child allowed in the kitchen because “[the others are] much too boisterous.” (Heker 13) Senora Ines doesn't just see Rosaura as Herminia’s daughter, she sees Rosaura as an employee's daughter, & therefore sees Rosaura as an employee herself. Which is exactly what Herminia says at the beginning
Second is the liberation from beliefs, superstitions, and traditions. Tita in Like Water for Chocolate is seen controlled and put under the decisions of her mother, Mama Elena, being prohibited to marry the love of her life for she is obliged to go through the
They remove her from the bar, and then Amaia and Rafa go to his place in a fit of love- only for her to fall asleep. She slips out the next day, but leaves her purse behind- which sends Rafa on his journey to confess his love for her. Before he leaves to find Amaia- Rafa tries to call her father, Koldo, but the phone died. While on the bus to see Amaia, Rafa meets a woman named Merche. He pretends to be Basque due to his anxiety over how Basque people treat others.
Like Water for Chocolate’s author, Esquivel, depicts Mama Elena as a strong, independent woman who does not bother with things she deems insignificant. This translates to the reader through the decisions
Mama Elena abuses her power and uses rules and traditions to overpower Tita. Early in the book, Tita wants to marry Pedro, so she tells Mama that Pedro was going to come over and talk about their marriage. Esquivel writes, “‘You know perfectly
In the end, Rosaura’s illusion about being equal to everyone else is shattered; after coming face to face with Senora Ines, she realizes that she was only there to help. Through Rosaura’s unjust situations, Liliana Heker demonstrates that different individuals react differently to injustice: aggressively, being protectively, and passively. Initially, Rosaura retaliates againstto injustice with her aggressive behaviour when she argues with her mother and during the party. Her actions demonstrates that she can’t control her rage.