A Paper in ‘Like Water for Chocolate’
...to take care of me until the day I die.” With this, Tita was never allowed to marry, be it Pedro or any other man, because of a very absurd family tradition. And so, the love of her life was wed to her sister. However, the readers might not find any reason whatsoever for Tita not to run away with Pedro. Except for the fact that Pedro was a complete idiot and coward, Tita could have stood up for her love. She and Pedro could have fled from the ranch and start a new life elsewhere. But clearly, there was no place for Tita’s opinion in the De la Garza ranch (p. 11), and Tita’s adherence to Mama Elena’s desire is an evident manifestation of her frailty. Tita had been a puppet under Mama Elena’s control – she did everything she was told to. Whenever there is ‘the call’ from Mama Elena, expect Tita to be immediately present. Tita was tasked to prepare the dishes for Pedro and Rosaura’s wedding. Though it caused her heart to shatter into pieces, she must do so and abide by her mother’s orders. When Mama Elena became ill after the attack of the rebels, Tita had to leave John (her fiancé at that time) to take care of her, despite the bitterness she feels towards the cruel figure that was her mother. The kitchen was not the only place where Tita was tied to. There was the bed, be it actual or imaginary. Bed, here, does not necessarily mean sleep. Bed, in this context, actually means passion, sex, heat, or lust. She is always attached to her thoughts of Pedro and Pedro’s thoughts of her. Throughout the whole story, Tita had never escaped memories of Pedro and her love for him. Even when she was with John, and when John proposed to her his undying love, Tita still loved Pedro. She gave in to this so-called passion; thus, resulting to be ‘on the bed’ (with Pedro). This, again, shows Tita’s weakness in battling her emotions and desires. She had a perfect understanding that Pedro lacks courage to fight for her against Mama Elena and Rosaura and that John is a better man because he is willing to go against the terrorizing figure of Mama Elena. But, Tita still dumped John and answered ‘the call’ from the cowardly Pedro. Tita is vi...