Sexuality, Race, and Gender in "Like Water for Chocolate"

As with any story, Like Water for Chocolate address various social issues, usually designed around the context of the time. Considering the era that the story took place, late 19th C. to early 20th C., it was quite revolutionary in its ideas. As a final look at the novel, Like Water for Chocolate, it's important to look at how the novel is designed around the ideas of sexuality, race, and gender. The plot has an interesting points of views, as it has the ability to look outside the typical social design, with the excuse of magic, a concurrent political revolution, and the extraneous circumstances of lust.

Sexuality 

 The idea of female sexuality is quite liberal, especially considering the setting of the story. Taking place in a patriarchal Catholic society, with firm social construction with the ideas of marriage, gender roles, and the appropriateness of sex. Laura Esquivel depicts an astonishingly open idea to female sexuality, specifically with Tita and Gertrudis. Tita, who is described as having feelings of "dough being dropped into hot oil" and Gertrudis who enters a brothel to fulfill her aching sexual desire. Without a doubt, there is still shame in expressive sexuality, especially when Mother Elena rejects Gertrudis free spirit behavior and ostracizing Tita's passionate affair with Pedro during his marriage.

But despite the rejections of the more conservative characters, Esquivel should still be commended for bringing the idea of female sexuality to the forefront. She presents two main ideas:

1. That love and lust are two distinctive ideas: A reader could interpret Tita and Pedro's relationship as a physical one, rather than an emotional affair. Nearly every description of longing between Tita and Pedro is described as a carnal longing, not necessarily an emotional connection. There isn't a discussion of feelings or ideas between the two, but usually just talks about their desire for each other. 
2. That female sexuality can be just as strong as a man's: This idea is especially clear with Gretrudis, who started as a prostitute and worked up to a revolutionary general. Keeping in mind that Gretudis became a prostitute to quench a desire, rather than becoming a hooker out of desperation, puts her in a position of power over her sexuality. Especially since she desired sex in abundance. A desire so strong, that she runs away naked and in the arms of a stranger. 

Race 

Though the author isn't as expressive about he position on race as she is about female sexuality, there are interesting elements that are added to the story, specifically with Mother Elena and Gertrudis. Upon Mother Elena's death, Tita discovers that her mother was in love with a mulatto, and conceived Gertudis with him. Mother Elena was forbade from seeing him because of his racial background, she did conceive a child with him showing an element of acceptance, that maybe wasn't as common during the time period.

Even Gertudis has an interracial relationship with Juan, creating mixed children that have features from both parents.

Gender 

Ultimately, Like Water for Chocolate, is a story that is run by females, containing a majority of female roles and only a handful of male characters. But despite being a predominantly female story, there are elements of control over gender roles and assumptions made based on societal expectations. The expectation that the youngest daughter stays to care for the mother until death operates on two assumptions. Firstly, that the youngest daughter is the property of her mother, and secondly that the mother needs looking after even if she is in good health.

Tita, who was a youngest daughter, wants weren't a concern of her mother's. Mother Elena decided that based on tradition that Tita shouldn't get married, despite having a love interest and should stay and take care of her.

Though there are displays of female strength that outweigh the pointless tradition. Mother Elena runs the household entirely by herself and is even able to defend it from revolutionaries. Her strength is incredible, and harshness is fueled by her rather passionless love life. She doesn't seem to cower away from trouble, usually addressing it head on.

 When Gretrudis runs away she eventually becomes a general, leading a group of men who are directly under her control. There is even strength when Tita argues with Rosaura over Esperanza's education, fighting for her to get a proper and thorough education.

Like Water for Chocolate addresses many contemporary issues that have some relevance today. By forming around the context of a revolutionary Mexico, Laura Esquivel is able to combine magic with the social revolution of her own.