Advanced Placement and Dual Credit English
Summer Reading
While summer vacation is a time to relax and unwind, it can also be a time for continued
learning and reflection. Your required reading for AP and Dual Credit English is Like
Water for Chocolate, by Laura Esquivel. Belonging to the genre of magical realism, the
novel fuses elements of fantasy and reality to tell the tragic story of Pedro Muzquiz and
Tita De la Garza.
As you read, please complete the study guide packet, which will be collected in
September. Try to be aware of the literary devices that Ms. Esquivel uses as she weaves
her tale of the De la Garza family. What figurative language does she employ to advance
the story? How is food used as a metaphor? How does she use diction (word choices) to
create images? What themes emerge as the story progresses? How does magical
realism function to merge fantasy and reality?
We hope that in addition to the required novel, you will read other books of your own
choosing as you continue the life-long process of learning.
Chapter 1
1. Describe how Tita made her way into the world.
2. Why did Tita grow up with such an emotional attachment to the kitchen?
3. Describe the tradition in the De la Garza family for the youngest daughter.
4. Why did Pedro decide to marry Rosaura? What is your opinion of his strategy?
5. Describe the first meeting between Tita and Pedro.
6. How would you feel if you were in Tita’s place?
7. Who is the narrator in the story? How do you think the narration will affect the story?
Chapter 2
1. What punishment did Tita receive for feigning a headache at Rosaura’s engagement?
2. How did the guests react after eating the wedding cake? Explain the symbolic significance of the
reaction.
3. Find the word “emetic” on page 41. Based on context clues, what must this word mean?
4. Describe Nacha’s love life. What happened to her after the wedding? What was she clutching in her
hands?
5. Describe Pedro’s conversation with Tita at the wedding. Do you think he made a good choice in
marrying Rosaura. What were his choices?
6. Describe Mama Elena. What is your opinion of her? Why does she act the way she does?
7. Describe the role of food in the story so far. Give two examples when food was an integral part of
the story.
Chapter 3
1. What does Ms. Esquivel compare Tita to on page 49? Explain the comparison.
2. What is an aphrodisiac (p.51)?
3. How does the rose petal sauce act as an aphrodisiac?
4. How is this an example of magical realism?
5. How was Gertrudis carried off the ranch?
6. Explain the following quote: “That is the way history gets written, distorted by eyewitness accounts
that don’t match reality.”
7. Reread the following quote from page 56: “There was a moment, one brief instant, when Pedro
could have changed the course of their story.” Based on these lines and the circumstances described
on page 56, is Pedro a coward or a realist? Explain.
8. What does Father Ignacio tell Mama Elena about Gertrudis?
9. On page 59, Ms. Esquivel writes, “Each year Tita prepared it (the quail) in tribute to her sister’s
liberation.” Why is her sister’s departure a liberation?
Chapter 4
1. What kinds of feelings does Tita’s food evoke in Pedro?
2. What does Tita try to fit in the suitcase for Gertrudis? What are these items a metaphor for?
3. How does Nacha help from the afterlife?
4. Who, besides Pedro, is in love with Tita? Why does he fall in love with her?
5. How is the war affecting the lives of the family?
6. How do the guests react after eating the mole at the baptism?
7. Why does Tita feel as if Roberto is her own child?
8. Where does Mama Elena send Pedro and Rosaura? Why?
Chapter 5
1. Describe Mama Elena’s encounter with the revolutionaries.
2. Explain the following quote: “They all fell prisoner to a childlike fear of maternal authority”.
3. Why does Juan leave the ranch peacefully?
4. What is symbolic about Tita caring for the baby pigeon?
5. Ms. Esquivel describes Mama Elena’s bath as a “liturgy.” Explain the connotations of the word
choice. In what sense is this weekly ordeal like a liturgy?
6. Why does Tita retreat to the dovecote?
7. What is symbolic about Tita feeding the pigeon to death?
8. What is symbolic about the bedspread?
Chapter 6
1. How did Dr. Brown save Tita?
2. Who was the Kikapu? What other character is she similar to? How so?
3. Describe Morning Light’s influence upon John.
4. What is John’s theory about our inner book of matches?
5. Dr. Brown obviously is in love with Tita. What do you predict will happen?
Chapter 7
1. Tita has a nervous breakdown at the end of chapter 5. What restores her to her senses?
2. Summarize the contents of Gertrudis’ letter to Tita. Relate this to the sacred power of love theme.
3. What does Dr. Brown ask Tita? How does his kiss compare to Pedro’s? What do you read into this?
4. What story does Checha concoct to tell Mama Elena about Tita? Why is she unable to relate this to
her? What tragic event occurs to Mama Elena?
5. Tita returns to the ranch. Describe the encounter between her and Mama Elena.
6. What is Mama Elena’s theory on Tita’s cooking since she returned to the ranch. How does she die?
How is this ironic?
7. How does Tita discover the details of her mother’s love affair? Describe the specifics of that affair.
How does it involve Gertrudis?
8. Describe Tita’s feelings at her mother’s funeral. What does she swear? How is she affected by
Pedro’s presence there?
Chapter 8
1. Why didn’t Tita want Pedro to name his daughter after her?
2. Why didn’t Esperanza’s placenta detach itself from Rosaura?
3. How is Esperanza like Tita?
4. Do you think it was fair of Pedro to tell Tita not to marry John? Explain.
5. Explain the following quote: “Ah, and let me suggest, next time you fall in love, don’t be such a
coward.” (p.149)
6. Why is Tita angry with Rosaura? (p.150)
7. Explain the meaning behind “like water for chocolate.” What must Tita be feeling, and why?
8. How does Pedro act when John asks for Tita’s hand in marriage?
9. Why does Rosaura see a light from the storeroom? How does this relate to John’s theory about our
inner matchbook?
Chapter 9
!. Why does Tita mourn for the Three Kings’ Days of her childhood?
2. What is Tita’s problem now?
3. What physical problems are Rosaura suffering from? When did the problems first begin?
4. What advice does Tita give Rosaura? Why is Tita feeling guilty?
5. What do you think Tita should do about her predicament?
6. Obviously ghosts don’t exist. What might Mama Elena’s ghost symbolize?
7. What is the tradition for the bread Tita is making? (p.174)
8. How has Gertrudis become successful? Why did Juan almost divorce her? (p.180)
Chapter 10
1. Reread the following passage from page 190 that begins “The truth! The truth! Look Tita…one of the
truest loves I’ve ever seen.” Comment on this passage. Do you agree or disagree? Why?
2. How does Gertrudis conspire to get Tita to tell Pedro that she is pregnant?
3. How does Tita get the ghost of Mama Elena to disappear forever?
4. How does Pedro get burned?
5. How does John know that Tita’s feelings for him have changed?
Chapter 11
!. How does Pedro show his jealousy?
2. Summarize the conversation between Tita and Rosaura on pages 213-214.
3. How do the chickens behave on page 217? What might this symbolize?
4. Who is Jovita? Why does Tita think she is becoming like her?
5. What is John’s response to Tita’s losing her virginity?
6. What do you think Tita should do about her situation?
Chapter 12
1. What does Pedro intend to do to John? What stops him?
2. Describe the death of Rosaura in some detail.
3. Who makes a big impression when they arrive at the party? Describe.
4. What does Pedro ask of Tita?
5. Who does Esperanza fall in love with? Who opposes the marriage?
6. Predict who you think is getting married. What is the basis for your prediction?
7. How do Rosaura and Tita share the care of Esperanza?
8. How do the chiles in walnut sauce affect the wedding guests?
9. Describe the sexual encounter between Pedro and Tita at the end of this chapter. Relate this to
John’s theory about our inner box of matches.
10. Explain the significance of the ranch burning down at the end of the novel. Why do you think Ms.
Esquivel chose to end the book this way?