On Paths Unknown discussion

Thread for discussion of chapters 8, 9 and 10.

Back to the feminist theme, I want to put in 3 cheers for General Gertrudis!

I love her accomplishments, but I find that she perhaps reached her high station a bit -too- easily? On the other hand, she is feisty and fiery and apparently more than a handful for most men...

It did seem a bit far-fetched to me at first, but the revolutionaries come in all shapes and sizes, don't they? And a revolution needs its generals, so they're forged in the heat of battle and engender fierce loyalty---why not Gertrudis? ;)

I confess I've turned against Pedro now. When they were younger one could believe they were in love, but Pedro seems motivated only by lust, and Tita definitely has a more faithful and upright alternative in Doctor John. Issues of the heart are rarely governed by logic, though, are they?

I have more to say on this thread, and will reply to you soon, Puddin, but I just wanted to mention that the final thread is here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Puddin Pointy-Toes wrote: "I confess I've turned against Pedro now. When they were younger one could believe they were in love, but Pedro seems motivated only by lust, and Tita definitely has a more faithful and upright alternative in Doctor John. Issues of the heart are rarely governed by logic, though, are they? ."

Yes, I did start noticing earlier on already, that Esquivel does seem to equate sexual passion with love and even true love. I agree with the idea that true love can engender sexual passion, but not so much the other way around.

Did Tita and Pedro really know one another well enough with her only being age 15 and constantly chaperoned, for true love to have developed by the time Pedro had wanted to propose? ..and he does only seem interested in her only sexually speaking, whereas John seems to care more about her as a human being, eh?

Puddin Pointy-Toes wrote: "It did seem a bit far-fetched to me at first, but the revolutionaries come in all shapes and sizes, don't they? And a revolution needs its generals, so they're forged in the heat of battle and engender fierce loyalty---why not Gertrudis? ;)."

I meant in the sense of that it was rather unheard of at the time that women even fight as a soldier, let alone become a leader in battle, let alone a general. ;) But I do like the idea a lot. :D

I'm about to read up a bit about the Mexican revolution, and will post a bit on that once I have.

Traveller wrote: "Puddin Pointy-Toes wrote: "I confess I've turned against Pedro now. When they were younger one could believe they were in love, but Pedro seems motivated only by lust, and Tita definitely has a mor..."

Good points, Traveller. I think why Esquivel is equating sexual passion with love is because perhaps she wants to highlight how women are NOT allowed to express their sexual desires in a patriarchal society. By firmly focusing on Tita's sexuality, I think she is " celebrating" women's desires.

Disha wrote: "I think why Esquivel is equating sexual passion with love is because perhaps she wants to highlight how women are NOT allowed to express their sexual desires in a patriarchal society. By firmly focusing on Tita's sexuality, I think she is " celebrating" women's desires. ..."

Good point. The thought did cross my mind especially with Gertudis. Of course Gertrudis is the epitome of a liberated woman. :)

Traveller wrote: "Disha wrote: "I think why Esquivel is equating sexual passion with love is because perhaps she wants to highlight how women are NOT allowed to express their sexual desires in a patriarchal society...."

Thanks :) I like how we get a spectrum of women and femininities in this novel.

Yay also for Tita who finally found the strength to stand up to her mother, even though she was a ghost ;)

Yolande wrote: "Yay also for Tita who finally found the strength to stand up to her mother, even though she was a ghost ;)"

Absolutely! Nice bit of personal growth we see there, eh?