Analysis of Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter

IB English A1 HL Tying the Hang-Man’s Knot ' A study of the authors’ use of the state of marriages to set up plot devices and analyze characters in Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia Marquez and The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende WL Paper 1 Mr. Grant World Literature 35 Oct 6th, 2008 1490 words Paper 1 The marriages Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Marquez and The House of The Spirits by Isabel Allende, all share the same basic characteristic of being contracted for reasons other than love. The marriages of Placida Linero and Ibrahim Nasar, Boyardo san Roman and Angel a Vicario, Blanca and Jean and the marriage of Esteban Trueba and Clara all share this loveless flaw. Though the marriages do accomplish the goals of at least one of the participants, they are most certainly not forged on mutual love. These relationships help advance the plot and to help paint an intricate picture of the world the characters live in, as well as the characters themselves. In Chronicle of a Death Foretoldby Gabriel Garcia Marquez, marriage plays a central role in advancing the plot and establishing the setting. Though only briefly mentioned in the book, it is said that Placida Linero and Ibrahim Nasar shared an austere marriage of convenience, “without a single moment of happiness” (Vargas, 7). Their marriage of convenience can be likened to the marriage of Jean and Blanca, as in both cases, the marriage is formed out of need, not love. Though the reason for Santiago’s parents’ marriage of convenience is never stated, the reasons for Jean and Blanca’s are given as to conceal a pregnancy and for monetary gain. These marriages are similar to the one that could have spared the, likely innocent, Santiago Nasar and restored the honour of Angela Vicario, as it would be a marriage out of necessity, not love. It should be noted that Angela prays for the courage to commit suicide, rather than have her family dishonoured by her terrible secret. These

Bibliography: -Allende, Isa. The House of the Spirits, Trans, Alastair Reid. Bantam Books 1982 -Marquez, Gab. Chronicle of a Death Foretold, Trans, Gregory Robassa. Vintage Books, New York 1981