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Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel

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?

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Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel

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  1. Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel Today: • Symbolism (cont’d) • Esquivel’s brand of “magical realism” • Alchemy Recipes

  2. My Dress Hangs There, 1933

  3. Self-Portrait1940

  4. 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!

  5. 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?

  6. 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?

  7. 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.

  8. 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?

  9. Magical Realism • How does Esquivel create the effect of “magical realism” throughout the novel?

  10. 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…

  11. Magical Realism • Food conveying emotions • Communication with spirit world • Nacha, Mama Elena, John’s grandmother) • Hyperbole (a.k.a. exaggeration) • Occurrence of unnatural events • veil, Gertrudis in shower… • Folklore? • Curandera, Bruja, la llarona, etc.

  12. 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???

  13. 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 unique • 3 : an inexplicable or mysterious transmutation

  14. Alchemy in the novel • Examples? • In what ways is cooking an “alchemical” process in the novel? • Is this true about cooking in general?

  15. Alchemical Concoctions

  16. 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

  17. 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!

  18. 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?

  19. 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.

  20. 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."

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