Thematic+Concerns+in+Chronicle+of+a+Death+Foretold

Chance/Fate/Contradictions (Dion & Connie) Chance: something that happens unpredictably without discernible human intention or observable cause Fate: an inevitable and often adverse outcome, condition, or end, predicted Santiago's death can be viewed as a result of inaction, chance and fate. From different viewpoints, we can tell that the events leading up to his death can be interpreted different. From Nasar’s point of view, his death happens by chance. The narrator’s sister fails to get Nasar into their house for breakfast. If she had managed to do so, his death would have been prevented. It was a series of coincidental events that prevented him from going to the narrator’s house. None of the events could be been expected, at least not by Nasar. Also, by chance, the bishop visits the town, distracting the attention of the town. The failure of the bishop to come ashore lets the town down, and it feels as if Santiago’s death is the ‘new attraction’. Because the bishop came to town, Nasar exits through ‘The Fatal Door’, one that is only used for special occasions. But this ‘special occasion’ turns out to be his death. By chance, he repeatedly misses the note under his door. It was not until after his death that someone finally picks up the note and realizes that the Nasar could have been warned. Also, by chance, Divina mistakenly assumes that Nasar was already in the house, and prompts Placida to lock the front door, which in turn locks both Nasar and the brothers out of the house. For the townspeople, Nasar’s death was not fated. To a certain extent, It was ‘predicted’ by them. While the town knows about the Vicario brothers’ intention to kill Nasar, many simply assumed that it was ‘drunk talk’ and ignored the brothers. Therefore, none of them tries to stop the murder. This collective inaction and dismissal of the brothers’ intention is critiqued by Marquez. There might, however, be a subconscious reason for their inaction. Perhaps to protect Angela’s ‘honor’, Santiago’s death was viewed as inevitable and justified. Perhaps also, the cultural aspect of the book plays a role in the townsfolk believing his death is justified. In a sense, he is a sacrificial object. His death will only serve as a good will to the town. After the death of Nasar, they believe it was fate that led to his death. The narrator presents it as a destiny for Nasar by beginning the chronicle with his death. They do not believe that their inaction was the cause of his death. Or rather, they refuse to believe it and use fate to defend their inaction. Marquez believes that Nasar’s death was determined neither by the unfortunate coincidences nor untimely fate. **Marquez critiques the townsfolk’s belief of Santiago’s death as fate; Marquez critiques this behavior as inaction. //(This is an excellent insight, well done - Ms K)//** The townspeople do little to stop the murder. “Perhaps the very action of calling Santiago’s death ‘a series of coincidences’ is merely a collective purging of conscience.”The overly coincidental nature of his death gives doubt to any true effort was put into preventing Nasar’s death. The note was overlooked. Even though we see real action in preventing his death later in the novella, it did not manage to prevent Nasar’s death. Any action that is too late is also known as if it ‘never happened’.

-//Most of the marriages were of connivence, one of the best examples is Angela and Bayardo, she married a man much ricer than herself, and she also raised his social status by being a beautiful, obedient woman, as well as being an excellent house wife. - Pura Vicario raised her daughters to be "Perfect wives" The qualities they possessed were: Screen embroidery, sew by machine, weave bone lace, wash and iron, make artificial flowers and fancy candy, and write engagement letters. They also took care of the elderly and sick. Through these qualities, they were "perfect, any man will be happy with them because they've been raised to suffer" (pg. 31) -The Vicaro brothers on the other hand were "Brought up to be men"(pg.31) This was the only thing that the author commented on how they were raised, the significance of this could be that the expectations for being a man is a lot less demanding. -The women in the novel varied in status. Characters like Angela and the other sisters were powerless over their own life, and rarely were able to make decisions of their own while women like Maria Cervantes (Brothel keeper) who were in control of their lives as well as men. Another example would be Pura Vicario. One of the reasons was because she had a career, she was a school teacher, therefore had authority. Another reason is because of her age, and the strict power she possesses over her children, as their mother. -Double standards are definitely portrayed in this novel, men are allowed to go to the brothel, yet if women cheated, or lost their virginity before marriage, it is seen as the ultimate sin. Also, women of no status don't have any influence in what men can do to them. Men and women are treated very differently even if they commit the same act. Women are usually judged, or frowned upon. It's consider their fault, not the mens. -Despite the intentions that women may have, men are always dominant, and have a puppet-like-control over them. -Stereotypical roles/actions: House wives, conservative, have no voice/say in the community, arranged marriages, they give themselves to their own families/husbands, they're shunned/punished when having committed a crime, dependency on men, seen as the "vessels of honor" in the family, they need to be pure and saint-like.
 * Female Roles** //(Anna and Ragna)

Final Statement: Women in the Chronicle of a Death Foretold are put on a pedestal of perfection and expectations. Any slight glitch in their behavior can be fatal to their position in society, nonetheless, not all women are as powerless as some. Marquez uses women to exemplify the faults in a latin male-dominated society. Through this, we are able to see the great differences and gaps between genders, and the weakness in this society. Despite the traditional "house wife" role which women were expected to be, some still broke the norm and added to the conflicts and strong themes of the novella.

Supernatural : Aileen, Ashley, Bex

In the novel, A Chronicle of a Death Foretold,hints of supernatural events occur within eac h chapter. Marquez involves supernatural themes because he believes that it is as essential to the book as it is to Latin American culture.

Supernatural: not existing in nature or subject to explanation according to natural laws; not physical or material; of a manifestation or event attributed to some force beyond scientific understanding or the laws of nature. ability to see into peoples' minds.

It can be suggested that the novel makes oblique references to god and clairvoyance.

Symbolism of god: Santiago Nasar's death is noted to have wounds located by his hands similar to the wounds of Christ. Supernatural : Aileen, Ashley, Bex

In the novel, A Chronicle of a Death Foretold,hints of supernatural events occur within eac h chapter. Marquez involves supernatural themes because he believes that it is as essential to the book as it is to Latin American culture.

Supernatural: not existing in nature or subject to explanation according to natural laws; not physical or material; of a manifestation or event attributed to some force beyond scientific understanding or the laws of nature. ability to see into peoples' minds.

It can be suggested that the novel makes oblique references to god and clairvoyance.

Symbolism of god: Santiago is noted to have wounds located by his hands similar to the wounds of Christ. Santiago's mother, Placida Linero, believes his dream is a good omen and will bring him good health, however it actually foreshadows Santiago's untimely death.


 * Contradictions, ambiguity, and memory: Terrence and Julien**