Like Water For Chocolate Quotes

How is the character of Tita presented in the opening chapters of like water for chocolate?

“Like Water for Chocolate” by Laura Esquivel has many complex and interesting ways of presenting and developing its characters. In this essay, I will present and explain some of the ways Laura Esquivel builds the character Tita from birth to nurturing, the role of her family and predetermined paths to show Tita as an imprisoned trapped character in the early chapters of the novel.

Firstly, the opening of chapter one describes Tita’s birth, which is an immediate hint as to what Tita is to become. The quote “Tita was literally washed into this world on a great tide of tears...” Is a great representation of this for many reasons, this quote is suggesting that due to Tita’s strong sensitivity to onions she cried her way out of the womb. This is effective as it shows Tita’s bond and attachment to food from birth, giving an early hint to the connection Tita shall share with food. Furthermore, this quote refers to the idea of
This implied by “She felt she had the best chance of ‘educating the innocent child’s stomach’” this is referring to Nacha offering to nurture Tita, this is significant as it is the start of the strong bond between Nacha and Tita, connected through food. The connection made is important as it shows that Nacha is not only nurturing Tita through feeding but the bond shall strengthen and Nacha will turn into even more of a mother figure to Tita. In addition, this implies just as much about Mama Elena’s relationship with Tita as it does Nacha’s, as Mama Elena is unable to nurture Tita it instantly removes an early bond between Mother and Child, this is effective as it well represents the relationship between Mama Elena as the story