Like Water for Chocolate Study Guide

Name: _________________________ Date: _____________ Period: _______

Directions: You have the entire period to complete the following study guide. Answer in complete
sentences and support your answers with detail from the text. You will need to use separate
sheets of paper in order to complete this assignment.
It will be due tomorrow April 11, 2007 before the exam.
Attach this sheet to the front of your responses

1. Who is narrating the story?

2. Where was Tita born? How come it was not necessary to slap Tita on the bottom at birth?

3. Why did Tita feel a deep love for the kitchen?

4. Explain the relationship between Tita and Nacha. What made their relationship special?

5. Compare and contrast Tita’s world to that of her sisters.

6. What was the reason given to prevent Tita from marrying Pedro? What is the significance of the

family tradition?

7. Read the quote below and discuss the significance of the quote:

That afternoon, when the uproar had subsided and the water had been dried up by

the sun, Nacha swept up the residue the tears had left on the red stone floor. There was

enough salt o fill a ten-pound sack—it was enough salt….long time (p.7).

8. Compare and contrast Gertrudis and Juan’s (the revolutionary) relationship with that of Tita and

Pedro.

9. Describe Tita’s feelings toward her nephew, Roberto and later toward her niece Esperanza. What

causes these feelings?

10. During March, Tita no longer feels that Pedro lied to her on his wedding day. What has occurred

to change her mind?

11. How has the revolution touch the lives of the people on the ranch?

12. Describe the relationship between Dr. Brown and Tita. How is it different from her relationship

with Pedro?
13. Doctor Brown shares his grandmother’s theory with Tita. What is the grandmother’s theory?

14. After Mama Elena’s death, Tita goes through her things. What secret does Tita find out about her

mother? Do Tita’s feelings for her mother change? Why or why not?

15. What causes Mama Elena’s death?

16. What words did Tita speak to Mama Elena that finally made her disappear? What was Mama

Elena’s reaction (What was her last evil act upon her family)?

17. Be familiar with the following concepts from our concept map definitions activity: Setting, Plot,

Character Description, Character Conflicts (internal and external), Symbols, Motifs (a recurring

a recurring subject, theme, or idea), Developing Themes, Magical Realism, The use of food/

recipes, and Family Traditions. You may want to write your responses/ notes on these elements.

Good Luck