"Tortilla Soup"

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the cultural themes in the movie, "Tortilla Soup" and notes that they revolve around social and gender issues. The paper relates that the the cultural themes are explored through personal experience of the daughters in the film and that the major issue that the movie discusses is gender role. The paper also notes that from the beginning of the film, it is clear that the family in the film is imbibed with its Mexican-American but at the same time reflects the modern traditions. The paper then relates that, at the conclusion of the film, we see that there is no significant shift in the family roles by the four main characters. Rather, the major changes are generally internal in nature but are reflected in the more open exchange between the father, Martin, and his daughters.

Outline:
Cultural Themes
Gender Roles and Cultural Factors
Individualistic Versus Collectivist Cultures
Communication Styles and the Theme

From the Paper:

"Gender roles are learned through socialization and society is defined if not bound by culture. At the same time, culture is created by relationship and interactions of these roles. Thus, gender and culture reinforces each other. One interesting facet that the movie highlights is the gender perceptions are both internal and external: it is taught to us but unless people themselves support the idea, then the roles can not persist. Another important realization is that each culture has a different perspective on the gender roles developed by another culture. As seen Hortensia's interactions with the family, these roles often also cause conflict since there are varied interpretations neither of which can reflect fully the perception of another."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Ripoll, Maria (2001). Tortilla Soup. California: Samuel Goldwyn Company

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