Food Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Immediately after reading page one of Like Water For Chocolate by Laura Esquivel, I could rest into the book was completed. The storyline creates the readers never-ending hate for Tita’s mother, Mama Elena, and the long-lasting love for Tita herself. Essentially, the feelings one has after reading the book can be compared to the feelings one has when they watch a movie; the constant roller coaster of emotions as one learns that Tita the tragic hero of the novel must perish in the end. The aggression is created from the tradition that the La De Garza family has in place; the fact that the youngest daughter must stay to tend to her mother and can not marry is UNBELIEVABLE! This tradition disturbs me greatly. How can a mother deprive her daughter of marriage? Of having children? If any family actually abides by this tradition they are very cruel people. Each female has the same right to marry as the next; it is up to the daughter and her relationship to her mother which decides whether or not she tends to her mother when she is dying. Seriously, what was Mama Elena’s issue with Tita?

On a different note, let’s discuss a component of the novel that is also very interesting: the theme choice. The themes of passion and deception are woven throughout the novel. Pedro and Tita are in deep love but they are forbidden to be together. Is this not like Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare just in Mexico? “Two star crossed lovers” who can not share their ever lasting love! Not only does the passion have similar parallels, but also the outcome could have been nothing different. Pedro had to die and Tita had to commit suicide to be with him; this is different of the legendary romance but is strangely related. Other themes of the novel include: friendship, betrayal and risk. But the overall theme that engulfs the entire novel is cooking. Recipes flow in and out of the chapters; they are part of Tita’s life and Esperenza’s. Cooking was the only escape Tita had to ride herself of the negative air her mother had about her. When the fire of the stove was snuffed out, so was Tita’s life.

Little did I know they made this book into a movie. According to the website Rotten Tomatoes many people enjoyed the film. There is both positive and negative feedback of the film. I am interested in seeing the movie and how it parallels to the book. One of scenes that sadden the heart is the wedding of Pedro and Tita's Sister. One knows how sad Tita is when she sees them walk down the aisle. It is a touching scene, and so I added it to this week's blog.

I am debating about writing a research paper on the subject of Mexican immigration in America – this theme stems from the previous novel I read, The Tortilla Curtain by T.C Boyle or possibly writing an analysis of this book. The topic I would write about is vague right now so I will have to think.