Fing #2776

Blog Task #5: Chapters 9-12 Discussion Questions

Answer the following set of questions. Pay attention to the keywords in the question stem to
plan your answer, and to the grading indications of each to ensure you are meeting the
requirements.

1.Explore the character of Gertrudis in Chapters 9 and 10; how does she act as a foil
for Tita? How does she challenge gender norms? ( /2 K / 1 I /1 C)

In my opinion, Gertrudis act as a foil for Tita as there is a major difference between
their personalities and characteristic ,and how they were raised.Tita wanted liberty from
Mama Elena so she can choose her lover ,and to not get into arranged marriage. Her
freedom is restricted because Mama Elenas rule that applied on the youngest daughter.
Instead of being raise in the kitchen, Gertrudis had the opportunity to choose her lover and
explore the outside world. The following quote "When they got close enough, she could see
that the person in charge of that troop was none other than her sister Gertrudis." (Pg 83).
challenge gender norm in which stereotypically men are suppose to be in charge of the
troop. This is significance to the story because theyre living the the time where gender
refers to society's concept of how men and women are expected to act and behave.

2.In Chapter 10, Tita experiences significant character development. She confronts the
ghost of Mama Elena; after doing so, how do the following events in the novel suggest she
has changed? ( /1 K / 1 I /1 C)

If you ask me, Tita experiences significant character development after she is
confronts by the ghost of Mama Elena. Tita is feels that she is completely free from Mama
Elenas control after revealing that she is no longer in the box that Mama Elena set her to
be. Tita now have the power to chooses her lover whether it's Pedro or John. As John was
leaving, he gave Tita a kiss on the hand. (Pg 106) demonstrate Titas choice without Mama
Elena.

3.Brainstorm the significance of the following symbols: seeds, chickens, diapers, chile, fire.
( / 5 I /1 C)

Seeds: represent pregnancy as stated below in the following quote Tita would love to be a
simple seed, not to have to explain to anyone what was growing inside her, to show her
fertile belly to the world without laying herself open to society's disapproval. (Pg 93)

Chickens: represent conflict, envy ,and anger, as we can see that the chicken fought over
food soaking blood on diaper.
Diapers: represent innocent because the fight soak the diaper red making innocent people
the victim of the circumstance.

Chile: represent sexual desire and enjoyment as shown in the last chapter because its the
ingredient used in walnut sauce turning everyone on.

Fire : represent hope or spiritual enlightenment as it is the main factor that light up Titas
match. Candles in the darkroom represent Titas spirit being lift as it is sparking up the
matches even more.

4.In Chapter 11, Rosaura and Tita finally confront one another. Summarize this
confrontation, and analyse it by explaining how their views oppose one another. Then,
respond to it by suggesting who you think the better woman is. ( /1 K / 2 I /1 C)

Rosaura confront Tita for a talk about Pedro and family tradition. Apparently ,Rosaura
doesnt care that her husband and her sister make love ,but instead wanted Esperanza to
follow family tradition.Tita strongly oppose Rosauras idea because she lived under the
traditional for most of her life. In my opinion, both of them have major flaw , for example
Rosaura allowing her husband to make love with Tita ,and in Titas case she shouldnt make
love with someone elses husband regardless of your past. If i have to choose i would
definitely choose Tita as the better women since she oppose the idea of passing down the
family tradition.

5.How do Pedro and John express their love differently to Tita? How does Johns actions,
especially in Chapters 11 and 12, challenge gender norms? Who is Titas better match, and
why? ( /1 K / 2 I /1 C)

In my opinion , John take relationship in a more mature unlike Tita who cannot choose
between Pedro and John. John had always been taking care of Tita giving her box of
matches. On the other hand, Pedro objectfy Tita as a sexual object in which he wanted to do
it every time he met Tita. Johns action challenge gender norms in which he will be the first
to congratulate Pedro and ask him to give you the respect you[Tita] deserve."[Pg106]. As
stated in question 1, they're living the the time where gender refers to society's concept of
how men and women are expected to act and behave. People during the time period belive
in men are more superior than women.

6.In the last chapter of the novel, we see Esperanza develop into an adult. What does her
development in the novel suggest about the novels main themes? View her development
through the lenses of gender, history and culture. ( / 3 I /1 C)

Esperanza development in the novel suggest the novels main themes is based on freedom.
Esperanza is lucky that Tita is against family tradition because he could potentially be raised
in the kitchen like Tita .Historically, male shows strong and aggressive pride of masculine
and were treated as the dominant gender. Male superiority allow male to maintain
independent and dominant in role in the family. All this reasons result Esperanza in breaking
the rule to pursue freedom.