Depiction Of Mexican Revolution in The Book Like Water For Chocolate

The book Like Water For Chocolate took place in the middle of the Mexican Revolution.

This revolution took place to try and overthrow an uncaring government that was mainly focused on self image and the wealthy, thus it caused civilians of the non wealthy variety to live in a poor community without much money. This emphasizes the human condition, which is a way of needing to always have control over those can control on the Government's part. Tita had to adapt to ‘living under a Narcissistic government in the middle of a battle with Rebels led by a man named Don Francisco I.

Madero who were trying to overthrow, said government. He came from a wealthy family, and had seen the pain caused by the government from those who worked for him. He had also seen it while He had been traveling with his family. He reflected on life and housing conditions in Mexico.” (Mexico). As Steinbach said “Men do change, and change comes like a little wind that ruffles the curtains at dawn, and it comes like the stealthy perfume of wildflowers hidden in the grass" (John Steinbeck).

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He said that to explain that change is something that happens quietly and slowly whether good or bad. this happens in books and writings to make mistakes before other people can make them. This is around so that the readers can learn from others mistakes. Esquivel wrote this book to take place during the Mexican Revolution to emphasize how the revolution changed life for people under government control in Mexico during the Mexican Revolution.

In one chapter, Mama Elena rejected the food offered to her by her daughter, claiming the food was poison. Tita's tried to figure out why her own mother would reject her in such a brutal manner. (Esquivel) Mama Elena in this instance, symbolized how “the government could not trust it's own people in the fear they would try to kill government officials, or infiltrate the government to cause a revolt against it.” (Mexico) This was a way for the people of Mexico to try and bring a new leader into power. Showing this in the book, tells readers to be more accepting of others actions. If somebody makes you feel upset, this instance reminds you not to hold a bitter hate for the others action like Tita did.

Tita was not the only civilian symbol. Rosaura was a civilian symbol as well, but, showing her as the part of the population that took from the government rules and used it as the guidelines of her living, adjusting and adapting to the life the dictator had given her. Rosaura was told to marry Pedro, so instead of rejecting the order, she did as told, due to the obedience that had been installed in her. (Esquivel) She is in many ways like her two sisters, but also nothing like them. This tells the reader that its good to adapt to others cruelty as long as you are not a robot that does all that is commanded of them like Rosaura. Rosaura grew up to be sour like Mama Elena.

Gertrudis went off to help the Mexican army even if she didn't agree with everything. This shows her as the civilians who may not have agreed with the government, but were following orders as there pawn. She agreed to Tita's views but would not admit it to Mama Elena. She feared Mama Elena would get upset and strike her, therefore not having the courage to stand for herself. She went with orders as to appeal to Mama Elena.

Through the book, recipes were used to describe Tita's emotions. Through the rose petal sauce coated with her blood, she symbolizes how the bloodshed had caused such pain and sorrow to the citizens. (Esquivel) This shows the pain and sorrow she felt from her personal life.

Mama Elena losing her love of her life previous to Tita's birth must have caused her to tighten her grip on those close to her (Esquivel), just like when Diez was elected president of Mexico, he held tight to his people to use them to his advantage. “The president forced his people to work with minimum pay and maximum hours” (Mexico), such as Tita worked for her mother due to tradition.

Mama Elena was seen as almost a dictator of sorts. She was an old, untrusting being, such as the Mexican government at the time. Mama Elena, “having been the government in ways of dictation” (Mexican Revolution), made Tita the Civilians, being oppressed and judged by the big government. Tita, like the civilians, was under the rule of the government, having used hostility to control the other. Esquivel showed this by saying Tita was told not to cry, even though her nephew had died. When she does morn, she is punished. (Esquivel) This instance symbolised how the Civilians were told to get on with their life and act as servants to the government. This shows you may be punished for things out of control, but to remember that no matter how much someone hurts you, you can't control your emotions.

With all conflict given in the book, comes change. Laura Esquivel’s book focused on the subject of change due to “the Mexican Revolution being a time of extreme change in the culture and tradition in mexican living” (Mexico). Emotional troubles and hurt in the book showed how the system of government changed through the years of the revolution due to people standing for their own ideals. The disagreement with the people and the government was seen through the surroundings of Tita and her experiences, socially, and mentally.

“With Madero empowering his people with more military training and expansion, he was able to give the feeling of power and respect for his own people.” (Mexico) This was to show that they were strong and be their own defence, such as how Tita stays with Dr. John Brown, and he shows her the inner strength she has to be her own woman. As Dr. John Brown watches her become stronger, he realized with each buildup of confidence and self preservation she gets, he began to feel more, and more affectionate for her. (Esquivel) This symbolized how much belief Madero had put in his own people.

All the connections in this book, Like Water For Chocolate to the Mexican Revolution, show how time and human empowerment changes the way people live, and think. “In the end, the people triumph over their government, and take it to mold into a people helping creation” (Mexico), such as how after Mama Elena died, Tita fought and won to become her own person.