Tradition and Revolution in Like Water For Chocolate Essay

Tradition and Revolution are two very different topics that often clash in family households. In the novel, Like water for Chocolate, the main character, Tita, and her mother, Mama Elena, depict both tradition and revolution through their actions. These two characters frequently bump heads due to the De La Garza tradition that states that Tita, as the youngest daughter, must not marry or have her own life but rather take care of her mother until death. Despite her situation Tita chooses to gain emotional freedom and revolt against mothers dictatorship throughout this odessy.

Towards the beginning of this story Mama Elena makes it clear to Tita that she is not allowed to marry or even love because of her duty as the youngest daughter. Tita on the other hand has plans of her own and continues to love and lust the man she was supposed to marry, her sisters husband Pedro. As Tita was preparing a meal she, looked up without stopping her grinding and her eyes met Pedros. At once their passionate glances fused so perfectly that who ever saw them would have seen but a single look, a single rhythmic and sensual motion,single trembling breath, a single desire.(p.67) . By giving in to this temptation of desiring Pedro mentally Tita has defied her mothers order. Both she and Pedro are aware of this unspoken desire which is the cause for such intense encounters between the two. In some sense they are both defying Mama Elenas rule over Tita. As the story continues the passion that Tita holds for Pedro grows stronger and it becomes harder for them to contain it within themselves. As Tita was breast feeding her nephew, Pedro and Rosauras first born, she tried to cover herself with her blouse. Pedro helped her in silence, with great tenderness. As he did, a succession of conflicting emotions took hold of them: love, desire, tenderness, lust, shame..fear of discovery.(p.77) Once again unspoken words are expressed through simple stares and actions. Mama Elena is able to uphold some order and control over Tita but never the less Tita finds ways, whether by accident or intensionally, to connect and reassure Pedros love for her.

As time passes Tita begins to find different ways of revolting against her mothers traditional views. She begins to question her family tradition. Mama Elena, being the astute woman she is, picks up on Titas defiance quick and replies by telling her, for generations, not a single person in my family has ever questioned this tradition, and no daughter of mine is going to be the one to start. Mama Elenas response is firm and strait froward in letting Tita know that she will not have any sort of 'acting up.Mama Elenas power over Tita starts to, in a sense, tire her out so she begins to grow despondent and ignores her duties in the household. Tita begins to loose interest in life[...]. Apart from that, the house could fall down and it wouldnt have mattered to her. Mama Elenas dominance over Tita starts to grow dull as Tita begins to slowly but surely become independent and distance her self from her household obligations.

Approaching the end of this story Mama Elena dies and emotionaly sets Tita free. Her efforts to keep Tita under her govern failed due to Titas strong will power. Tita Meets a young doctor by the name of John Brown whom she falls in love with. Although, Mama Elena has died the tension in the De La Garza home continues, never the less Dr. Brown takes the opportunity to petition for Titas hand. Of course Tita accepts and they set a date for their marriage. Tita is finally able to find a man to love and spend the rest of her days with. Obviously this isnt what Mama Elena had planned for her but Tita made her decision regardless of any thing. The fact that Tita is engaged to Dr. Brown meant nothing to Pedro, who still had the desire to be with Tita. He peruses her love while fixing the pantry room. Pedro approached her and pulled her to a brass bed that had once belonged to her sister Gertrudis, and throwing himself upon her, caused her to lose her virginity and learn of true love. Pedro and Tita at last let the love they held for each other free. Mama Elenas control over Tita had at last been broken by this act of passion.

In this book tradition has been outweighed by revolution. Despite her mothers torment Tita is able to set herself free thanks to her rebellious heart and ability to over come and defy her mothers traditional views. Tita indeed became the first daughter in the De La Garza legacy to question and even change their tradition.