They were repressed by society’s norms, which is an explanation of the fantastical elements in the story. In early twentieth century Mexico, women were an inferior species, delegated only to tending for others. One must understand the setting of the book. In the end, she chooses to live with Pedro, and after Rosaura’s death, and Esperanza’s wedding, she reunites with Pedro physically and spiritually, with a love that is stronger than any other. Tita is not, but the event forces her to decide between the John or Pedro. She finds that Tita is engaged to John, but might be pregnant with Pedro’s baby. Gertrudis returns also, with her new husband, as a general in the revolutionary army. Because she is a girl, meaning she will be forced to bear the tradition enforced on Tita. When Pedro and Rosaura return, they soon have a new child named Esperanza. Tita only returns to the ranch to care for Mama Elena after she is beaten by bandits, who soon dies after Tita’s return. She is nursed back to health by John, a gringo doctor. However, after Mama Elena sends Pedro, Rosaura, and the baby to Texas, the baby soon dies, and Tita temporarily loses her mind. Pedro and Rosaura go on to have a baby boy named Roberto, whom Tita nurses when Rosaura cannot. When she cooks Quail in Rose petal sauce, her sister Gertrudis is overcome by the passion in the food, so much that the heat from her body sets the shower on fire, and she runs away with a revolutionary captain. It is here that Tita learns of Pedro’s true intentions of marriage, and then uses her food as a way of communicating with him. Blocked by Mama Elena, Pedro agrees to marry Rosaura so he can be close to Tita. Tita also falls in love with Pedro, who wants to marry her. Isolated by her mother, Nacha teaches Tita the ways of the kitchen. The heroine Tita is bogged down by her oppressive mother, along with her two sisters Gertrudis and Rosaura. Set against the backdrop of the Mexican revolution, the author utilizes mystical elements and Mexican cooking recipes to tell the story.

Written by Laura Esquivel, it tells a story about a girl named Tita who is imprisoned by her Mother and by an accursed family tradition that the youngest daughter must take care of her mother until the day she dies. Like Water For Chocolate is a beautiful Mexican novel about a young woman’s struggle within her family. In honor of hispanic heritage month, we would like to review the classic novel, Like Water For Chocolate.

Like water for chocolate book author