Like Water For Chocolate Literary Analysis

The novel Like Water for Chocolate is written by first-time novelist Laura Esquivel (Biography). The structure of the novel is a prime example of the Mexican culture and the functions of their society at the turn of the twentieth century (Sparknotes). It tells the story of the protagonist, Tita De La Garza, who is the youngest daughter of Mama Elena (Esquivel 10). The twelve chapters of the book each represent a month of the year along with a Mexican recipe. The Conflict of the story, which we learn about through each passing month, is the struggles of Tita who longs to marry her lover, Pedro; however, due to her being the last born she is forbidden by a family tradition and has to take care of her mother until her mother passes away (Esquivel 10). …show more content…
Tita is a talented chef who expresses herself by cooking and she can affect people’s moods with her cooking (Enotes). Rosaura and Pedro have a child named Roberto together and Tita treats him like he is her own (Esquivel 73). Another climax is when Mama Elena arranges for Rosaura’s family to move to San Antonio, and due to the separation, Roberto dies, and Tita has a breakdown, causing her to get sent to an asylum (Esquivel 80). A resolution to the conflict is the death of Mama Elena and the freeing of Tita from her duties (Esquivel 138). Tita now accepts a marriage proposal from her new lover John Brown. Afterward, Rosaura and Pedro return to the Ranch with their second child Esperanza. Pedro’s return has made Tita question her love for John (Esquivel 139). The night John asks Pedro to bless the marriage, Pedro and Tita make love, causing her to lose her virginity (Esquivel