Like Water for Chocolate

            I really enjoyed the novel Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquirel. While listening to my classmates during discussion it seemed that most students could not understand why Tita did not leave her mother’s house to be with Pedro, but I do. I understand how important tradition is to families, even if they are not fair. I felt bad for Tita because of the way here mother treated her, but I understand why she stayed. Tradition is sometimes the only thing a family really has together. Family tradition and honor is something my family takes very seriously and really believes in. The novel to a certain extent clashes with my views of the world because it was written in a different time period. The idea of modesty is still around in today’s society, but not nearly in the same manner as then. I know I was shocked by the modesty blanket that Rosaura used during intimacy with Pedro. The novel is about the good and bad things about Mexican culture. Many believe some of the traditions are ridiculous but its culture. Food and passion play a huge role in Mexican culture. I think incorporating the recipes in each chapter was brilliant. Each recipe was a metaphor for Tita or one of her family members. I also think the title Like Water for Chocolate was brilliant. I totally believe with the metaphor of life needing to boil up a few times. There is a difference between being a live and really living each day to the fullest. I think to live a full life, like Tita did, you must face trials and tribulations. I think Like Water for Chocolate was a great choice for a title. I loved how the novel was female based. I have not read many novels, especially ones involving magical realism, where most characters and the plot were based on a women’s life. I thought that was wonderful! At last, I understand how it is hard for many to understand the novel, but deciphering between the literal and metaphorical takes time, but if you give this novel a true chance and take it as it is you will definitely enjoy it!

Zorro

               Out of everything I have so far read the graphic novel of Zorro has been the most interesting and the most enjoyable. The text personally affects me because it makes me feel a connection with my childhood. The idea of a “super heroes” played a major role in growing up for me and many other students.  The text does not clash with my views of the world at all. Although I’m not out fighting crime I felt that the story of Zorro could connect with most readers. As a reader I felt like I could connect with the friendship between Diego and Bernardo. Bernardo gives Diego remembrance of what he is out fighting for, who he is out defending. Bernardo is the voice or reason for Diego when his emotion has taken him over the edge. Diego also lives between two lives. I feel that many people also feel that they live a double life. A reader may feel their home and work or home and personal life are conflicting, like Diego’s is. Multiple images in the novel grabbed my attention. The first image was in chapter two, it was the images of Bernardo when his mother was getting raped. Although you can only see a small portion of her leg the images zoom into Bernardo’s eyes filled with tears as you look down the page. These images sent shivers down my spine, although you couldn’t see much you knew the pain Bernardo and his mother felt. Another image that caught my eye was the opening page of chapter seven. It is Diego in his colorful Spanish garb holding his umbrella. Then a picture colored black as Zorro and you can only make out his eyes. This shows the double life he must live and how he must conceal his identity of Zorro.  A large part of this novel was how writer Matt Wagner used Spanish. I feel that he used common Spanish words such as “gracias” and “adios” to get his readers connect with the Spanish heritage of this novel. I liked the small Spanish touch I felt it just added more to the novel. The element from traveling from the present to the past was the best element to this novel. It really switched up and added a great element to the novel. Switching back and forth allowed the story to stay interesting and never become dull.  I liked the graphic novel because it was an easy read with interesting pictures to really present the story in a different way. I really enjoyed this graphic novel and would not mind reading another one!