War Rages on in Like Water for Chocolate
War Rages On in Like Water for Chocolate
Although wars are waged for many reasons, ultimately, wars are fought for one
reason; freedom. It is no different in Laura Esquivel's magical realism Like Water for
Chocolate. Just as this novel is staged during the time of the Mexican Revolution of
1910-1917, another war rages on in the confines of a family ranch and in the lives of the
people who dwell there. Esquivel cleverly uses the backdrop of the war to explore the
individual lives and their struggle to attain the revolution's goal for themselves;
independence.
"War is Hell," a famous, yet simple quote from General William T. Sherman in
another great civil war, is accurate in this story as Tita the youngest daughter of Mama
Elena finds that her own life is hell, while living under the rule of her tyrannical mother.
Though her mother keeps Tita from marrying the love of her life (Pedro) and living
in that joyous communion, Tita eventually becomes victorious in her pursuit of love and
her journey toward self realization. She is forbidden to marry because of a long held
family tradition enforced by her mother and Tita not only finds herself in conflict with
her mother, sister and her lover but also within her own existence.
The rigid family tradition that the youngest daughter is to remain unmarried in
order to care for her mother in old age becomes a thorn in Tita's flesh. Her unwillingness
to accept this undesirable assignment causes her to become a rebel against the abuse, pain
and fear her mother inflicts upon her. Her cause is evident; injustice. Tita is willing to
commit herself to fight against a life of injustice, a life that confines her to a life without
love. Though Tita submits to the demanding regimen her mother sets for her daily
through unending chores, she has an inner strength that fuels her purpose to continue to
fight for generation of daughters to
Although wars are waged for many reasons, ultimately, wars are fought for one
reason; freedom. It is no different in Laura Esquivel's magical realism Like Water for
Chocolate. Just as this novel is staged during the time of the Mexican Revolution of
1910-1917, another war rages on in the confines of a family ranch and in the lives of the
people who dwell there. Esquivel cleverly uses the backdrop of the war to explore the
individual lives and their struggle to attain the revolution's goal for themselves;
independence.
"War is Hell," a famous, yet simple quote from General William T. Sherman in
another great civil war, is accurate in this story as Tita the youngest daughter of Mama
Elena finds that her own life is hell, while living under the rule of her tyrannical mother.
Though her mother keeps Tita from marrying the love of her life (Pedro) and living
in that joyous communion, Tita eventually becomes victorious in her pursuit of love and
her journey toward self realization. She is forbidden to marry because of a long held
family tradition enforced by her mother and Tita not only finds herself in conflict with
her mother, sister and her lover but also within her own existence.
The rigid family tradition that the youngest daughter is to remain unmarried in
order to care for her mother in old age becomes a thorn in Tita's flesh. Her unwillingness
to accept this undesirable assignment causes her to become a rebel against the abuse, pain
and fear her mother inflicts upon her. Her cause is evident; injustice. Tita is willing to
commit herself to fight against a life of injustice, a life that confines her to a life without
love. Though Tita submits to the demanding regimen her mother sets for her daily
through unending chores, she has an inner strength that fuels her purpose to continue to
fight for generation of daughters to