... to gain independence and develop her identity. However, she also struggles in being true to the Mexican family tradition, which condemns Tita to take care of the spiteful Mama Elena until the day she dies. Esquivel offers an insight into the way women are restricted by standards of societal propriety maintained by other women. In the repression of feminine desire and its ... figuration as "tradition," Mama Elena and her ideas represent outdated patriarchal ideology. This absurd tradition shows the power it holds since Rosaura wanted to follow through with the same tradition ... ...

• Word Count: 375
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: Undergraduate