Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel

Today:

Symbolism (cont’d)

Esquivel’s brand of “magical realism”

Alchemy Recipes

My Dress Hangs There, 1933

Self-Portrait

1940

Symbolism- With

How is Kahlo using symbols in her art? What might the symbols represent?

Share findings of your art interpretations and character connections – stay focused!

Symbolism

How are symbols used in Like Water for Chocolate?

What are some of the symbols we’ve seen in the novel?

What do they generally represent?

Symbolism

Matches (p. 115-117)

Tita’s hands (p. 108-9)

Capones (p. 27+)

Killing Quail (p. 49)

Are “birds” a motif in the novel?

Motif

A recurring object, concept, or structure in a work of literature.

A motif may also be two contrasting elements in a work, such as good and evil, fire & ice, etc.

A motif is important because it allows readers to see themes that the author is trying to express, so that they may interpret the work more accurately.

Motif

Notice: capones (castrated chickens—completely domestic & flightless)

quail (a little more wild),

doves/pigeons

Tita’s hands (p. 108-9)

If so, what is the THEME that this motif be highlighting?

Magical Realism

How does Esquivel create the effect of “magical realism” throughout the novel?

Magical Realism

Food conveying emotions

Communication with spirit world

Hyperbole (a.k.a. exaggeration)

Occurrence of unnatural events (as if normal)

Folklore?

Find an example of each…

Magical Realism

Food conveying emotions

Communication with spirit worldNacha, Mama Elena, John’s grandmother)

Hyperbole (a.k.a. exaggeration)

Occurrence of unnatural events veil, Gertrudis in shower…

Folklore? Curandera, Bruja, la llarona, etc.

Themes around food

Making something special out of ordinary ingredients

Food conveying emotions

Using cooking as an act of resistance to oppression

Hunger/Appetite vs. Satisfaction/Satiety….Unfulfilled love/desire

….Alchemy???

Alchemy

1 : a medieval chemical science and speculative philosophy aiming to achieve the transmutation of the base metals into gold, the discovery of a universal cure for disease, and the discovery of a means of indefinitely prolonging life 2 : a power or process of transforming something common into something unique3 : an inexplicable or mysterious transmutation

Alchemy in the novel

Examples?

In what ways is cooking an “alchemical” process in the novel?

Is this true about cooking in general?

Alchemical Concoctions

Remember: Elements of Latin American literature

Realism

Historical fiction

Magical realism

Lives of ordinary people

Family sagas

Concern with social/political reform

Folklore

Latin cultural traditions

Homework

Complete Novel! WHOA!

Extra credit for watching Frida and writing thoughtful response, connecting it to Lit/Hist class content (not summary). Typed! 10 points possible.

EC due by the end of the trimester!

Folklore: The traditional beliefs, myths, tales, and practices of a people, transmitted

orally.

The presence of La Llarona

Other examples of folklore that you’ve seen in the novel?

Curandero/-a, Brujo/-a

A curandero (or curandera for a female) is a traditional folk healer or shaman in Hispanic-America, prevalent in Latin America, who is dedicated to curing physical and/or spiritual illnesses.

A Curandera's Concept of Medicine:

When the natural and the spiritual are not torn apart into disjointed entities, there is a balance between human and nature. Human beings have a spiritual nature as well as an individual soul, and the body can not be cut away from the soul and spirit. Humans are members of the natural world -animals, plants, minerals, earth, and all living things found on earth. Illness occurs when one does not live in harmony with all these aspects of "self."