The Theory

CHARACTERS:

Tita: the protagonist in the story, and the youngest daughter of Mama Elena. She was raised by Nacha and has two sisters Getroudis and Rosaura. She wasn't allowed to marry her love, Pedro, due to family traditions, which she has to take care of her mother because she is the youngest daughter. She was born in the kitchen, and stays most of the day in the kitchen making food.

Mama Elena: The antagonist of the story, and mother of the three girls that all fear her. She runs the family with an iron fist. She didn't allow Tita to marry Pedro and offered Rosaura instead. Her husband dies two dies after she gave birth to Tita, and her milk dried up, so she couldn't breast-feed her.

Rosaura: Daughter of Mama Elena, and sister to Getroudis and Tita. She is spoiled and has no (love) connection to Tita. She gets married to Pedro.

Getroudis: Mama Elana's eldest daughter. She is fun, loving, exciting, and loves to dance. She is the opposite of Rosaura and is very close to Tita.

Pedro Muzquiz: He is the male presence in the house, and loves Tita a lot. He was denied marriage to Tita by Mama Elena, but accepted to Rosaura so he gets closer to Tita.

Nacha: The De La Garza family very old cook from indigenous backgrounds. She was also half-deaf She raised and breast-fed Tita, and gave her the motherly love and support, which Mama Elena failed to give.

Chencha: The ranch maid also from indigenous backgrounds. She is young and kind to the family members.

Esperanza: the narrator of the novel; she is Tita's great niece.

Paquita: The De La Garza family's neighbor.

SETTING:

The story takes place in Mexico in the late 1800's during the Mexican Revolution; in the De La Garza family ranch.