Laura Esquivel's novel "Like Water for Chocolate";

In Laura Esquivel's novel Like Water for Chocolate tradition is seen as both oppressive and freeing. These two aspects of tradition are demonstrated most strongly through Tita. Mama Elena on the other hand represents the oppressive colonial tradition and Naucha and her recipes on the other hand, represent the native Mexican tradition that frees Tita. Through a closer inspection these traditions as they are portrayed in Like Water for Chocolate on is able to see …

…tradition is used to show the power of colonialism and how it can be overcome by recognizing the original native identity that colonialism tried to destroy. This is achieved by acknowledging the traditions that the native once based their lives around. In Like Water for Chocolate Tita is able to achieve this through her recipes liberating the whole ranch through her cooking. Works Cited Esquivel, Laura. Like Water for Chocolate. First Anchor Books, New York: 1995.