I have finished my novel, and have loved it! It ends by, I will keep it vague in the sake of not spoiling, Tita is not pregnant. Rosaura dies. Esperanza is able to wed to John’s son. And after countless of years of hiding their love, Tita and Pedro made passionate love without any worries. The fire inside Pedro killed him, and moments later killing Tita (just by her reliving their inner fire).
I really enjoyed how this book displayed culture, sense of self, and struggles we face throughout life. It has given me a great research topic of how cultures affect our relationships and marriage. In this culture, Tita was forced to obey her elders and community; otherwise shame would come to the family name. We, as American’s, tend to not consider those things as hurting our families and tend to think only of ourselves. We also seem to put less emphasize on the family name, compared to countries like Mexico and India. I look forward to researching more of these patterns.
Going back to my original senior project question: How does someone discover/rediscover themselves? Tita, on page 199, finally stood up to her mothers putdowns. “I’m tired of you tormenting me. Leave me in peace once and for all!” She also, at this point in the novel, knows who she is-as a sister, lover, aunt, and most importantly a passionate cook. “I know who I am! A person who has a perfect right to live her life as she pleases. Once and for all. Leave me alone; I won’t put up with you! I hate you, I’ve always hated you!”
My favorite moment of her self realization was page 240: “…how long ago it seemed that Tita had felt like a chile in nut sauce left sitting on the platter out of etiquette, for not wanting to look greedy.” She finally was able to be with Pedro, instead of alone out of courtesy. She was done with all of the fake marriages and forced families. She knew who she loved, and nothing was going to stop her from loving him anymore!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Like Water for Chocolate Journal #3
Much has happened since my last blog! First of all, Tita completely disobeyed Mama Elena by screaming and yelling at her for all the mean things she has done. She had a mental break down, and Mama ordered Dr. John to put her into an insane asylum. Instead of listening to Mama, John took care of her until she discovered herself again. He is so caring, and loves her dearly!
Tita eventually goes back to the ranch, ironically, to take care of Mama Elena. Mama and Chencha were raped and attacked by some of the revolutionaries, leaving Chencha an emotional wreck and Mama severely injured. Eventually, Mama died. She believed Tita was poisoning her food, so she took antibiotics after every meal. Which, in the end, poisoned her!
Pedro and Rosaura come back to live on the ranch after Mama’s death. Rosaura is pregnant again and has a baby girl named Esperanza. Because of complications, Rosaura will not be able to have another child. It kills Tita to hear that Rosaura would keep the cruel tradition of the youngest daughter will not marry, in order to take care of her mother till death.
The most scandalous event was Pedro and Tita made love. They keep their affair going for a long time, until Tita realizes she is pregnant! How could she have been so careless? She can’t run away with Pedro. He has a child, she has a niece. They would hurt Rosaura terribly. And as much as she despises her sister, she could never hurt her the way she has hurt Tita! And what would Tita do about her engagement to John? He was gone, getting his grandmother for the wedding. What was Tita doing? Preparing for the wedding, no, sleeping with another man.
Luckily Gertrudis has come back for a week. She is now married to the man she ran away with, and a general in the revolutionary army. Tita confides her secretes to her sister, but all her sister can think about is her favorite desert about to burn on the stove. What is Tita going to do?
These events in the novel are creating immense hurdles for Tita to jump. Yes, she has lost and found herself all in the past 100 pages. Now she must show her morals and ethics. I believe her true self would not run away with Pedro, but by herself. She will leave with the mess she has made, and try to leave as many hearts in tack as possible. Although she does have that respect for others, in stories the main character does not always do as they should-just like Tita should not have been sleeping with Pedro. I am excited to read and finish this novel, to see the progress Tita has made. Discovering herself without the negative influences and abuses on Mama Elena is an amazing accomplishment. She gives young ladies hope, who have been physically and or verbally abused by a parent and feels trapped.
Tita eventually goes back to the ranch, ironically, to take care of Mama Elena. Mama and Chencha were raped and attacked by some of the revolutionaries, leaving Chencha an emotional wreck and Mama severely injured. Eventually, Mama died. She believed Tita was poisoning her food, so she took antibiotics after every meal. Which, in the end, poisoned her!
Pedro and Rosaura come back to live on the ranch after Mama’s death. Rosaura is pregnant again and has a baby girl named Esperanza. Because of complications, Rosaura will not be able to have another child. It kills Tita to hear that Rosaura would keep the cruel tradition of the youngest daughter will not marry, in order to take care of her mother till death.
The most scandalous event was Pedro and Tita made love. They keep their affair going for a long time, until Tita realizes she is pregnant! How could she have been so careless? She can’t run away with Pedro. He has a child, she has a niece. They would hurt Rosaura terribly. And as much as she despises her sister, she could never hurt her the way she has hurt Tita! And what would Tita do about her engagement to John? He was gone, getting his grandmother for the wedding. What was Tita doing? Preparing for the wedding, no, sleeping with another man.
Luckily Gertrudis has come back for a week. She is now married to the man she ran away with, and a general in the revolutionary army. Tita confides her secretes to her sister, but all her sister can think about is her favorite desert about to burn on the stove. What is Tita going to do?
These events in the novel are creating immense hurdles for Tita to jump. Yes, she has lost and found herself all in the past 100 pages. Now she must show her morals and ethics. I believe her true self would not run away with Pedro, but by herself. She will leave with the mess she has made, and try to leave as many hearts in tack as possible. Although she does have that respect for others, in stories the main character does not always do as they should-just like Tita should not have been sleeping with Pedro. I am excited to read and finish this novel, to see the progress Tita has made. Discovering herself without the negative influences and abuses on Mama Elena is an amazing accomplishment. She gives young ladies hope, who have been physically and or verbally abused by a parent and feels trapped.
Monday, January 31, 2011
“Like Water for Chocolate” Journal #2
After the Nacha’s death, Tita becomes head of the kitchen. Pedro gives her flowers as a gift to congratulate her! But, doing so only makes Rosaura cry and Mami very mad. Instead of throwing away the beautiful Roses Tita received, she made quail in rose sauce. The one mistake she made was holding the roses too tightly, thus causing her to bleed-turning the petals into a bloody red color, instead of pink.
Everyone knew the dish was exquisite, but only Pedro complimented her on a job well done. Gertrudis was starting to feel different. She was sweating and starting to feel an intense heart beat. She began to imagine a man on horseback, more so a desire for this man. This revolutionary, in the midst of battle, came on horseback to find Gertrudis. And they ran off to do what lovers do…Mami heard she ran off and was now working at a Brothel. She is now “unknown” to Mami.
Pedro and Tita were in tears seeing the act of love being carried out, which is what they could not have. There was a moment where you think Pedro is going to ask her to run away with him, but Mami starts yelling what’s going on out there!
In April, Tita is cooking for Pedro and Rosaura’s son Roberto. They host a party for the new baby boy. To Tita’s surprise she loves him. Also, she is the only one who can breast feed him. It is as if her sister was caring “her baby” all along. Even though she thought her fate may have been denied her, she ended up getting a special bond with that boy.
Mami made Pedro, Rosaura, and baby Roberto move to San Antonio. Tita had become depressed. They were the only reason she lived to the next day. She was getting in trouble all of the time for her careless errors. Then one day they got word the revolutionaries were on their way to their farm. They hid as many valuables as possible. After Tita came out of hiding, she immediately became even more depressed to not hear the cooing of the doves. But, was surprised to find one small baby dove, which she is now taking care of (almost as if it were Roberto). It is the only thing that keeps her spirits up!
Tita is struggling with the life she has been denied. Which brings us back to the original question, what does it take to find oneself? At this point Tita is lost. It is possible that a nervous breakdown, runaway, or suicide will be coming within the next chapter. She needs someone to guide her to a path of purpose. She only knows this life of being forced to work to support her mother, who she hates. Any revolt, of any sort, would lead to being beaten. Tita must get out of that house. I wish that Tita and Pedro could find each other and runaway, but this is unrealistic. Not all love stories are like what you see in the movies. I hope soon Tita realizes what she needs to do to discover her true self!
Everyone knew the dish was exquisite, but only Pedro complimented her on a job well done. Gertrudis was starting to feel different. She was sweating and starting to feel an intense heart beat. She began to imagine a man on horseback, more so a desire for this man. This revolutionary, in the midst of battle, came on horseback to find Gertrudis. And they ran off to do what lovers do…Mami heard she ran off and was now working at a Brothel. She is now “unknown” to Mami.
Pedro and Tita were in tears seeing the act of love being carried out, which is what they could not have. There was a moment where you think Pedro is going to ask her to run away with him, but Mami starts yelling what’s going on out there!
In April, Tita is cooking for Pedro and Rosaura’s son Roberto. They host a party for the new baby boy. To Tita’s surprise she loves him. Also, she is the only one who can breast feed him. It is as if her sister was caring “her baby” all along. Even though she thought her fate may have been denied her, she ended up getting a special bond with that boy.
Mami made Pedro, Rosaura, and baby Roberto move to San Antonio. Tita had become depressed. They were the only reason she lived to the next day. She was getting in trouble all of the time for her careless errors. Then one day they got word the revolutionaries were on their way to their farm. They hid as many valuables as possible. After Tita came out of hiding, she immediately became even more depressed to not hear the cooing of the doves. But, was surprised to find one small baby dove, which she is now taking care of (almost as if it were Roberto). It is the only thing that keeps her spirits up!
Tita is struggling with the life she has been denied. Which brings us back to the original question, what does it take to find oneself? At this point Tita is lost. It is possible that a nervous breakdown, runaway, or suicide will be coming within the next chapter. She needs someone to guide her to a path of purpose. She only knows this life of being forced to work to support her mother, who she hates. Any revolt, of any sort, would lead to being beaten. Tita must get out of that house. I wish that Tita and Pedro could find each other and runaway, but this is unrealistic. Not all love stories are like what you see in the movies. I hope soon Tita realizes what she needs to do to discover her true self!
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