Magical Realism in Like Water for Chocolate
Magical realism is the use of the elements of magic, in an otherwise real world. The theme is used throughout the novel to merge the magical elements with reality. In Latin America, the customary hot chocolate is usually prepared with the use of hot water, in the place of dairy milk. The author of this book uses the expression “like water for chocolate”, to describe the way hot water mixes with chocolate. This merge between water and chocolate is similar to a sexually-charged state, together with the passion that follows. Tita, the lead character, experiences a life full of unexpected turns, which sets her feelings spiral from entanglements of passion, as well as heartbreak. This paper focuses on the use and purpose of magical realism in the story. As the plot of the book unfolds, the author constantly employs the use of magical elements for the expression of the emotional challenges which faced Tita.
At the beginning of the story, Tita’s love for the culinary arts was evident since she was small. According to the author, she was a witness to a ‘rare’ magical event inside the kitchen when young. The author further states that everyone noticed how she possessed a special connection to various delicacies in the kitchen, as she had a passion for food. The kitchen played a crucial role in Tita’s life, impacting the lives of others. The author used the magical reference, to highlight the unique connection between Tita and the kitchen. The combination of the magical reference with Tita’s passion for food, in reality, is beneficial, as it solidifies to the reader, the intensity of the passion.
The author employs the use of magical realism on page 39, which states, “but the weeping was just the first symptom of a strange intoxication-an acute attack of pain and frustration- that seized the guest and scattered them across the patio and the grounds and in the bathrooms, all of them wailing over lost love” (Esquivel, 39). After the guests helped themselves with cake at the wedding, a sudden strange feeling engulfed them, since the cake was baked by Tita, who was sad and distraught concerning the wedding. The author used the magical elements associated with Tita, in an attempt to represent the intensity of Tita’s feelings, and just how her cooking can affect others.
Thirdly, the author uses magical realism to demonstrate the positive impacts of Tita’s emotions towards herself and others. Also, the infectiousness of her emotions is shown by the author. “Everyone else, including the ranch hands, was making mad passionate love, wherever they had happened to end up….Any spot would do: in the river, on the stairs, under the washtub, in the fireplace, in the oven of the stove, under the counter in the drugstore, in the clothes closet, on a treetop” (Esquivel, 242). Here, Tita proceeds to prepare a tasty walnut sauce with chilies for her guests. Upon having the meal, everyone was engulfed with passion, as well as feelings of lust. The effect of Tita’s food compelled everyone to a ‘sexual frenzy’, and the author highlights this using the elements of magical realism.
Later in the book, the author further uses magical realism, while describing the events that followed the death of Mama Elena. Tita is described as finally feeling free, as Mama Elena used to keep her on a tight leash. Tita, who could at last start speaking up for herself, enjoyed her new-found freedom. However, it was not long before she started receiving unanticipated visits from Mama Elena’s ghost. To her dismay, she also received regular scolding, every time the ghost visited her.
As the ghost of Mama Elena regularly haunted Tita, the author used magical realism to instigate confusion concerning the plot. Mama Elena threatened Tita that she was able to watch her, even though she was dead. The ghost employed the use of fright to threaten Tita, as she wanted to keep her in check. “… She turned around and was stunned to find herself face to face with Mama Elena, who was giving her a fierce look…’You have forgotten all morality, respect, and good behavior. You are worthless, a good-for-nothing who doesn’t respect even yourself. You have blackened the name of my entire family, from my ancestors down to the cursed baby you carry in your belly!’” (Esquivel, 173).
Later on, in the story, Tita gathered the strength and courage to finally tell off Mama Elena. In a heated exchange between the two, Tita revealed her hatred towards Mama Elena, words that eventually made her mother retreat in defeat. ‘“…I’ve always hated you!’ Tita said the magic words that would make her disappear forever. The imposing figure of her mother began to shrink until it became no more than a tiny light. As the ghost faded away, a sense of relief grew inside Tita’s body” (Esquivel, 199). Here, the author used the elements of magical realism to highlight the highpoints of the plot, which would hook the readers to the story.
The elements of magical realism are further employed by the author, in her description of the effects of Tita’s cooking on her sister. After dining on the quail prepared by Tita, Gertrudis felt a rush of lust, which overwhelmed her body. The author further notes that Getrudis ran to the shower, to try and cool her body off, but the intense heat emitted by her body exploded the bath, clear use of magical elements in the story. “The only thing that kept her going was the image of the refreshing shower ahead of her, but unfortunately she was never able to enjoy it, because the drops that fell from the shower never made it to her body: they evaporated before they reached her. Her body was giving off so much heat that the wooden walls began to split and burst into flame” (Esquivel, 54).
In the conclusion of the story, the author uses magical fabulism as she describes the events involving the explosion, which was caused by the love between Tita and Pedro. The passion between them was so intense, that the place was transformed into a magical scenery, graced by fireworks. “At that moment the fiery bodies of Pedro and Tita began throwing off glowing sparks. They set on fire the bedspread, which ignited the entire ranch. The animals had fled just in time to save themselves from the inferno!” (Esquivel, 245). The purpose of the author behind the effective use of magical realism is to emphasize the events and elements of the story, for the benefit of the reader.
In conclusion, the use of magical realism is evident in various scenes in the story. The purpose of its use would be the emphasis that is placed on the events and attributes of the characters, as well as the themes of the story (Jeevarathna, 100). Its effective use by the author is a positive addition to the story.
Works Cited
Esquivel, Laura. Like water for chocolate. Random House, 1993.
Jeevarathna, M., and A. Selvalakshmi. “Transformation of Emotions and Actions in Esquivel’s Like Water for Chocolate.” Language in India 18.5 (2018).