Como agua para chocolate. General Notes: these are just a few notes I took
while reading the book that I think might be helpful in understanding the grammar
...
Como agua para chocolate General Notes: these are just a few notes I took while reading the book that I think might be helpful in understanding the grammar and/or context.
1. The first paragraph contains a description of a home remedy to prevent crying when cutting onions. It consists of placing a piece of onion on the “mollera,” the crown/top part of the head. The book is full of “remedios caseros” or old wives’ tales and superstitions. They give the novel a lot of its charm. 2. En invierno, se le partían invariablemente, tomara las precauciones que tomara.” P. 166 The reflexive verb partirse, to split, refers back to the noun, “labios,” in the previous sentence. Le is the indirect object, which answers the question, “to whom?” Translation: “ In winter, invariably, her lips used to split, take whatever precautions she would take.” 3. Rosca de Reyes is served on Epiphany, Jan 6. It is a ring shaped bread, we might call a coffeecake. A trinket (inedible) doll is baked inside, and when served, the recipient of this piece containing the muñeca, is responsible for then hosting a dinner February 14. (p. 163 ch IX) 4. “pecho tierra” is a military order: “On your stomachs with your butts down!” “Hit the dirt!” “Hit the deck!” It is not translated as “face down” which is “bocabajo. (adv)” Also spelled “boca abajo.” 5. “siempre y cuando” means “provided that” “on condition that…” this expression is always followed by the subjunctive tense of any verb. See the verb “cruzarse” on p. 35. This is one of those expressions for which the subjuctive is mandatory.
