MONDAY

Beginning some preliminary analysis of LWFC and some of the life lessons it presents.
HW: Catch up day. Make sure you have finished both "September" and "October."

TUESDAY

Discussing in small group and analyzing together the relationships between Mama Elena and her daughters. Are the two sisters metaphors for Tita's internal struggle? Or all three daughters a metaphor for rejection of the older generation (Mama Elena)?
HW: Read "November" in LWFC.

What is the relationship between food and healing? What is the connection between that which we put in our bodies and wellness? For example, look at Pedro and Rosaura. For example, smoke infects Pedro's mood, affects his thinking. Rosaura, on the other hand, gets well when she is away from the ranch, and again gets well when following Tita's diet. Esperanza, on the other hand, is "spoiled" by either the food Tita provides her, or is "infected" by Rosaura's belief in family traditions. So what is the connection between food and well being?
HW: Read "December" in LWFC.

Discussing the end of the novel. What are the lessons we take away from the novel? What is the elixir, or societal lesson, we should take from the hero journey(ies) in the novel? Come to class prepared to argue a) why Tita's experience is heroic and b) in which ways she is conflicted.
HW: Brainstorm and outline an answer to this question: What is the essential lesson you take from Like Water for Chocolate?

We will begin watching a film which you will analyze and compare to LWFC: Today's Special.
HW: Come to class with 2-3 pages written on LWFC. This will be a core part of a comparative essay between the novel and the film we're just starting.