Like Water for Chocolate

Introduction

Food is a central element in this story. In addition to being the organizing element in the story, it is a direct cause of the physical and emotional unrest; it transmits emotions; and it allows identity to be established. The main purpose of this paper is to make an analysis on the multiple roles played by food in the novel “Like water for Chocolate”.

Discussion

This novel is a book of recipes from kitchens where the narrator (Esperanza) has the experiences of their ancestors more recent and more specifically its tiabuela (Tita) which is the author of the book of recipes. In this novel, the author says that Water and Chocolate are synonymous with enjoyment, pleasure, life and sensitivity. First, water is the direct representative of life in nature. Smooth and refreshing texture reminds us how essential it is this simple and mystical element, capable of strengthening the scout in his long hours of strenuous hiking, the mother welcomes her newborn offspring of her womb removed (Esquive, l223). The second item is the chocolate, a paradigm that unifies the livid mother's love given to breeding, pre-caramel sweetness and cocoa autumn. Chocolate is the mess made by the sweat and the elements that nature provides us every day. In other words, is the sacrament where it joins the efforts of an entire family? Cocoa buying small, older siblings with his father collecting the milk that has been filled, while at home, lies the mother with her ??daughters pending matters will result in the chocolate mom craftsmanship of years past sacrifice in pursuit of food. The title of the book itself, for example, draws a parallel between the preparation of chocolate and the intensity of the emotions buried deep within Tita (Maria, 78). Her anger made her “literally 'like water for chocolate' she was on the verge of boiling over!” This intensity and overwhelming amount of emotion is carried on throughout the chapter, leading to the loss of Tita's virginity to Pedro (Richard, 61). Food is also behind many of the characters expressions of love. In April, when Tita was cooking for the baptism of Pedro and Rosaura's son, Pedro immersed himself in “the sound of pans bumping against each other, the smell of the almonds browning in the griddle, the sounds of Tita's melodious voice, singing as she cooked.” These products of Tita are cooking “had kindled his sexual feelings,” ...