Like H2O for Cocoa

I absolutely loved reading Like Water for Chocolate. I agree with the class consensus that it is, in fact, a “chick flick." I’m never a fan of the cliche, but sometimes the texts/images strike me in just the right way. However, I suppose I’ll focus mainly on what was discussed as a class: the title,the role of characters and what they symbolize.

The characters and their metaphorical significance is definitely the core of this novel. The concept of Mama Elena being a traditional, manipulative, close-minded mother denotes the presence of an authoritarian, controlling dictator, and politically she would represent the Latin-American government. It is sad to me that Rosaura, Gertrudis and Tita have to deal with such a cross to bear. A mother/daughter relationships can at times be bittersweet, but one would argue the overall bond betwixt the pair is larger than life. Fortunately, Tita has Nacha: the family cook, who portrays a spiritual, supportive, maternal character. Tita is raised by Nacha’s Mother Nature-esque ideals and is able to break free of her family’s horrid beliefs and traditions.

It is only natural in the world of literature that between Elena’s three daughters, one will discover the following: a follower/loser, an empty (yet constructive) rebel, and a hero representing love and the beauty of life. Tita’s lack of control over her life, her expressive emotions, and her overall spherical existence help to shape her tenacious, heroine self. Again, I am able to relate in the sense that I myself am one of three daughters, and as previously mencantioned, our varying identities and relationships can certainly be described as bittersweet. In the end, however, there isn’t a soul in the universe that I have a connection with that is comparable to that of the relationship with my sisters, Hannah and Audrey. The fact that Tita is lacking such a substantial connection truly saddens me.

The men in the novel are imitated as flat, though their existence is certainly not unnecessary. Pedro, in particular, represents the flavor, the heat, the passion, the "drug," if you will, of Tita’s breath. The lust between Pedro and Tita is what brings the spice to their lives (and to the novel).

The spice of Tita brings me to the title, Like Water for Chocolate. It is such a beautiful title. It is indubitably what first caused my attraction to the book. If I’m not mistaken, Tita is the "water" in the metaphor, “Like Water for Chocolate”. The recipe for the hot cocoa within the novel calls for water to be boiled a total of three times, but to never fully boil over. In reading this story, the reader will find that Tita’s lust for Pedro is brought to a boil more than once, with the first two instances resulting in Tita “being removed from the stove” to cool off. She is careful to never let herself boil over, and in the end leads a delicious life as a perfect blend of non-boiled-over water and chocolate. The underlying nucleus that Laura Esquirel is trying to convey is that one needs heat and passion in order to be a real person, and, consequently, to lead a real life.

Zorro

Believe it or not, I’ve had very little exposure to Zorro. I remember having seen The Princess Bride as a young teen thinking that the masked man was Zorro. I also experienced my first “oh my gosh, that man is sexy” moment while watching that film. There is just something about that mask…

...but on to the subject at hand. I really enjoyed reading this graphic novel. I was first introduced to the concept of graphic novels last year in my history class. We read Persepolis. I was so pleased to have read the story cover to cover in one sitting and also sincerely enjoyed the imagery provided by the author. I’ve always been a huge fan of comics and cartoons, and I still watch ’toons to this day- validating myself with the argument that fictional characters can do anything they please, while human actors remain their normal, mortal selves.

Another reason I am so fond of the graphics (in Zorro particularly) is the distinct connection the author is able to make with the reader via the artwork. The intensity of the colors encapsulate me. I’ve always been a fan of reading-- it's refreshing that a good author is able to describe every sense of the scene they’re depicting-- however, it is nice every once in awhile to pick up a graphic novel and to accurately comprehend what the author is trying to convey. Some of the images in this particular novel were incredibly moving and captivating.

I also enjoyed the dark moments in this novel. I’m not your typical gothic chick, but I am most certainly able to appreciate the dark arts. I found some of the images to be somewhat frightening-- with the emotions that they arise, appreciated. I will say, however, that I wasn’t particularly fond of the “good guys speak English, bad guys speak naughty Spanish” concept, in all honesty, it's racist. Overlooking the ignorant details like that drive me crazy, I did enjoy Zorro (it was much better than I had ever expected), but I must admit that I am looking forward to Like Water for Chocolate.