1. LIKE WATER FOR
CHOCOLATE
By: Stephanie Echevarria & Romy Garcia

2. Background Information
 Director: Alfonso Arau
 Release Date: February 1993
 Genre: Drama, Romance
 Also Know As: Como Agua Para Chocolate
 Based on the novel written by Laura Esquivel

3. Mexican Revolution
 Started in 1910 when the leadership of Porfino
Diaz was challenged by Frnascisco I. Madero
 People of all classes were fighting in this war
 Everyone was dissatisfied with the leadership of
the country and wanted to be freed from Diaz
 This war marked the rise and fall of many
leaders
 War ends with the rise to presidency of Alvaro
Obregon
 However some violence continued well into the
1920’s

4. Machismo
 The idea of strong or aggressive masculine
pride
 Examples from the film:
 The need for a son to carry the family name
 When Pedro settled for Rosaura’s hand in
marriage. He would not give up on being close to
Tita.
 The priest telling Mama Elena she needs a man
in the house to protect her and the family.

5. Marianismo
 “Mary-ism”
 The idea that women must reflect the Catholic
deal of the Virgin Mary
 Examples from the film:
 Elena disowned Gertrudis when she found out
she worked out at a brothel.
 When Rosaura and Pedro got married, they used
a white sheet with a hole to have sex for
procreation only.
 Tita felt she couldn’t marry the doctor because
she was not a virgin.

6. Questions
 What are some other examples of Machismo
in the film?
 What are some other examples of Marianismo
in the film?
 Does Pedro fit the machismo profile?
 What is Mama Elena’s role in the machismo
vs. marianismo situation?

7. Hombres y Machos: Masculinity
and Latino Culture

8. 3 Explanations For
Hypermasculinity
 Direct result of the Spanish Conquest
 Obsessed with aggressive images of men from
war
 Emphasis on masculinity has been there since
the natives
 Imposed on the Indians just like Catholicism,
foods, and diseases were imposed on them.
 Pre-Columbian origin
 Aztecs were divided based on gender; Men’s job
was to wage war

9. Questions
 What are some reasons for strong masculinity
in today’s world?
 What are some traditional views on masculine
and feminine roles?
 How are traditional views in some what similar
to our views on gender roles today?
 How are they different?

10. The End

11. Bibliography
 Alfredo Mirandé,
Hombres y Machos: Masculinity and Latino Culture,
“Genesis of Mexican Masculinity” (p. 29 – 42),
“Masculinity: Traditional and Emergent Views”
(p. 81 – 99).
 http://www.ic.arizona.edu/ic/mcbride/ws200/m
ex-davi.htm