Like Water for Chocolate: a novel rich in history, culture, food and scandal; a breathtaking portrait of a love story, of the strength of character of desperate women and of humbling traditions: it captivates both the soul and the mind, enchanting its readers into immersing them in its plot. Among its prominent themes is that of the search for an identity - or a lack thereof - which seems to pervade the lives of those most engaged in the process of self-evaluation and discovery, and as such Laura Esquivel's novel is comparable to Haruki Murakami's The Elephant Vanishes, in which characters in several stories seem to be in a state of perpetual dislocation and disconnection from the world around them. Tita in Esquivel's novel, best portrays this struggle to gain personal identity and freedom amid external repressive forces, while specific characters from stories in Murakami's collection such as "Sleep", "The Wind-up Bird and the Women of Tuesday" or "A Slow Boat to China,” reflect a struggle that arises instead from both external and internal forces. Particularly important, however, is Esquivel and Murakami's contrasting approach to addressing the topic, whether through symbolism. , language or characterization, which requires careful criticism. Like water for chocolate, Tita De la Garza's main struggle stems from the fact that she has little control over her affairs Her fate was already sealed and she was expected to recognize tradition. Her life was not hers to live, because Mama Elena, her mother, dictated everything she did, for whom was the house other than that of Mama Elena, her. which made it clear that “in the De La Garza family they obeyed – immediately” (Esquivel 12). The... middle of paper......or remembers things as well as if there was a hole in his memory; as in "...no matter how much I rack my brain, I can't understand his voice" (Murakami 13). Instead of using indirect objects like food or bedspreads, as Esquivel does, to direct a character's movement toward freedom and individuality, Murakami characterizes his protagonists in a way that reflects their internal desire to be different: they don't follow the tide, so to speak. Themes of personal identity and freedom are prevalent in both the stories of Like Water for Chocolate and The Elephant Vanishes. To illustrate the theme, Esquivel primarily uses symbolism, as Murakami supposes incorporating diction and language. Despite these differences, both effectively engage their readers through the creative use of literary devices to convey a particular message. Works cited as Water for Chocolate