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)

- Tita gathers the strength to share her problems with Gertrudis, when she finally does so.
Gertrudis calmly hears Tita's story and offers steadfast support. She urges Tita to talk
with Pedro about the pregnancy. Gertrudis challenged gender norms by encouraging
Tita to talk to Rosaura and Pedro about all these feelings. Gertrudis encouraged Tita to
do the really right decision for herself. She mentioned the fact was Tita really loved
Pedro, and even after the wedding of Pedro and Rosaura, the true love between them
still existed. This was the truth of everything, the two of them were in love. Gertrudis told
her those wedding or those rituals on the outside did not matter. However, in the society
past then, society tend to look at the appearances of something and these rituals as
more important. She herself participated in battle and became a general during the
Mexican Revolution while during the time, more women probably stayed at home and do
work as their gender roles.

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)

- Mama Elenas ghost form appears. Then tells Tita that they are "shameless."an
argument ensues, and Tita tells her mother that she hates her. Magically, the figure of
her mother starts to shrink into a tiny light and even more astonishing is that Tita gets
her period. When Tita confronts her mother, it shows that now she is no longer in the box
that Mama Elena has put her in since she was young but out of it and is willing to do
anything that will get her the freedom she wants. When she gets her period when she
thinks she was pregnant, I think it means that now she is free and will get to choose what
she wants and not what she was forced to do, as we recalled, pedro was the one who
forced her into the situation of being pregnant, but now that she decided she was free
from anyone's view, I think that also goes for pedro. Eventually, this also led to when she
decided to tell john that she does not want him, because now she feel that she now has
the right to choose. To compare, this remind me of the Buddhist "enlightenment" that
now people are now free from the wheel of life and has no need to be born anymore.

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

Seeds : symbolizes the lessons and experiences in life that ultimately shapes the being
of a person
Chickens : symbolizes anger and hatred; for example: When the chicken fought each
other for no apparent reason
 Diapers : symbolizes innocence. Just like the mental mindset of young children, diapers
go through phases where they are soaked, dirted, and furbished
Chile : represents the fiery, fire of Pedro and Titas sexual affair
Fire : represents hope, the match represents life, the fire lits up a match to make life
more hopeful.

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 and Tita confronted each other, mainly about their political, religious, and social
status. Rosaura tells Tita that she is concerned about her status, she also didnt really
care about Pedro and Titas love, however she want to keep it a secret. Rosaura also
jumped into habits and mainly how she wants her child to be raised, questioning family
tradition. I dont think either of them are better than the other, I personally disagree with
their belief, tradition, and emotional mindset. They both have flaws.

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)

- Pedro's loved express his love in form of jealousy. He suspected Tita will not stay with
her when he knew Tita was not pregnant. His love toward Tita turned into angry words
that made Tita sad and mad. In contrast, John comforted Tita when she knew Tita was
reconsidering their marriage. He said he will respect Tita's decision, and he tried not to
put any pressure on her. John challenged gender norms by giving Tita the power to
make choices and decisions. As we know, woman was the ones who needed to obey
men and the ones who lacked respect. However, as a gentleman, John generously
allowed Tita to make the decision even after their marriage was planned. In my opinion, I
believe John was apparently a really nice person. However, I believe Pedro was still the
one that Tita loved the most. Even though Pedro hurt Tita multiple times and he might
not had the best personality in the world, his love toward Tita was true from the very
beginning. Tita also loved him from the very beginning. Pedro may be a jealous person,
but I believe he will treat Tita nicely when Tita was with him. John's love toward Tita was
real too. Although, he treated Tita really nicely, I believe he was more of a good friend
providing comfort to Tita.

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)
- In this novel Esperanza symbolizes hope for Tita. This suggest the main theme of
overcoming pre-set conditions and rules, do what you believe in. In other words, the
theme of the story is courage and self-indulgence. The development through the lenses
are shown through her lifespan in growing out of her comfort zone and pursuing what
she desires. Remember, age is just a number.