Embracing One's Culture

The novel examines how elements of one's culture permeate daily life. In Arsenic and Adobo, the Filipino culture influences decisions on what food to eat and how to treat others. The narrator is a young Filipino woman who is surrounded by the Filipino culture, a culture that is sometimes overwhelming but always embraced.

Food is an important part of this culture. As the novel opens, Lila has moved home to help at Tita Rosie's Kitchen, the small restaurant owned by her aunt. A former boyfriend named Derek Winter is a food blogger and writes restaurant reviews for a local newspaper. Derek is always critical of Tita Rosie's Kitchen, informing his readers of every perceived slight, but Rosie always rushes to see that he is well-fed and served. When Lila asks why she bothers, Tita Rosie says that Derek could use some kindness. She also...