Like Water for Chocolate Analysis

Though there are many factors that contribute to Tita's downfall, Mama Elena is the main factor.

"Tita lowered her head, and the realization of her fate struck her as forcibly as her tears struck the table. From then on they knew, she and the table, that they could never have even the slightest voice in the unknown forces that fated Tita to bow before her mother's absurd decision.." The narrator uses reverse personification to show that Tita is like the table; that she is just another object that does what Mama Elena decides. The narrator has strong diction; saying that Mama Elena's decision is absurd shows that the narrator believes Mama Elena is being inconsiderable, making Tita care for her until Mama dies. Another example of strong diction is when the narrator says Tita "bows" before Mama Elena, showing that Tita can't defy Mama because of Mama's power. "..and the table to continue to receive the bitter tears that she had first shed on the day of her birth." The narrator personifies the table, saying that it is receiving Tita's tears.

Mama Elena has a very short temper, and it is hard to calm her down. There is one instance in which Tita manages to calm her. " 'Are you starting up with your rebelliousness again? It's enough that you have the audacity to break the rules in your sewing.' 'I'm sorry, Mami. I won't ever do it again.' With that, Tita succeeded in calming Mama Elena's anger." The author has strong diction, using "audacity" to show Mama's reaction to what Tita did. When Mama Elena asks for something to be done, she isn't asking. She wants it to be done how she says. She expects it to happen without anything being said back. Mama Elena dislikes it when someone disobeys her orders, especially if it's one of her children.

Because of the family tradition, Tita is supposed to care for Mama Elena until she dies. Tita strongly opposes the tradition. "For one thing, she wanted to know who started this family tradition. It would be nice if she could let that genius know about one little flaw in this perfect plan for taking care of women in their old age." The narrator is satiric, saying the one who started the tradition in a "genius," and that it is a "perfect plan." The one flaw: "If Tita couldn't marry and have children, who would care for her when she grew old?" Tita is supposed to care for Mama until she dies; leaving Tita with no chance to marry and have children.

"..but even so, for the first time in her life, she intended to protest her mother's ruling." Tita wanted to defend herself against Mama Elena's strictness. She has always done everything Mama Elena asks her to, without any objection. However, Mama Elena doesn't want to hear it: "For generations, not a single