The role and status of women remain the same throughout different cultures.
Gender equality is a basic human right, but women have been discriminated against all over the world in both the past and present. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan (2005) by Lisa See tells the story of two girls in China and Like Water for Chocolate (1995) by Laura Esquirel depicts the tale of a young woman living in Mexico. Both texts explore the notions of cruelty and restrictions imposed upon women. Analysing the two texts from different cultures and their context allows us to explore the role and status of women through characterisation, the setting, and events that take place.
Violence against women was, and continues to be, one of the world’s most widespread human …show more content…
Snow Flower and Tita have similar views on rules and tradition. Both characters try to overstep their boundaries. In 19th century China, all girls bound their feet in order to become more marriageable and attempt to raise their social status. Their bound feet are a physical limitation, and women are confined to their homes because of their immobility. Snow Flower is described to have “the true independence streak of the horse sign, only her horse had wings that carried her above the earth…” (See, 2005, p. 57). A winged horse symbolises the unification of grounded stability with higher ideals (Venefica, 2007). It represents Snow Flower’s desire to be free whilst keeping staying within her boundaries as a woman in order to live a pleasant life without becoming a burden to her family. The use of wings as a motif throughout Snow Flower and the Secret Fan emphasises Snow Flower’s adventurous and rebellious spirit as well as her desire to transcend her physical constraints; the imaginary wings become a substitute for her broken feet. In Like Water for Chocolate, women’s restrictions are explored through various situations during the novel. Tita, as the youngest daughter of the De la Garza, is not allowed to marry and must care for her mother until she dies. Tita is bound by this tradition and, like Snow Flower, questions her role and wishes to be free. Her desire for freedom and love for Pedro becomes the central conflict in the novel. Just like how Snow Flower expressed her emotions through letter, stories, and singing, Tita expresses hers through her cooking in order to convey her emotions safely from the outside world. It is stated, “the kitchen […] was completely hers – it was Tita’s realm.” (Esquirel, 1989, p. 7). This shows the comfort and confidence that the kitchen offers her and emphasises how confined she is to this domestic space. Like Water for Chocolate
Gender equality is a basic human right, but women have been discriminated against all over the world in both the past and present. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan (2005) by Lisa See tells the story of two girls in China and Like Water for Chocolate (1995) by Laura Esquirel depicts the tale of a young woman living in Mexico. Both texts explore the notions of cruelty and restrictions imposed upon women. Analysing the two texts from different cultures and their context allows us to explore the role and status of women through characterisation, the setting, and events that take place.
Violence against women was, and continues to be, one of the world’s most widespread human …show more content…
Snow Flower and Tita have similar views on rules and tradition. Both characters try to overstep their boundaries. In 19th century China, all girls bound their feet in order to become more marriageable and attempt to raise their social status. Their bound feet are a physical limitation, and women are confined to their homes because of their immobility. Snow Flower is described to have “the true independence streak of the horse sign, only her horse had wings that carried her above the earth…” (See, 2005, p. 57). A winged horse symbolises the unification of grounded stability with higher ideals (Venefica, 2007). It represents Snow Flower’s desire to be free whilst keeping staying within her boundaries as a woman in order to live a pleasant life without becoming a burden to her family. The use of wings as a motif throughout Snow Flower and the Secret Fan emphasises Snow Flower’s adventurous and rebellious spirit as well as her desire to transcend her physical constraints; the imaginary wings become a substitute for her broken feet. In Like Water for Chocolate, women’s restrictions are explored through various situations during the novel. Tita, as the youngest daughter of the De la Garza, is not allowed to marry and must care for her mother until she dies. Tita is bound by this tradition and, like Snow Flower, questions her role and wishes to be free. Her desire for freedom and love for Pedro becomes the central conflict in the novel. Just like how Snow Flower expressed her emotions through letter, stories, and singing, Tita expresses hers through her cooking in order to convey her emotions safely from the outside world. It is stated, “the kitchen […] was completely hers – it was Tita’s realm.” (Esquirel, 1989, p. 7). This shows the comfort and confidence that the kitchen offers her and emphasises how confined she is to this domestic space. Like Water for Chocolate