Chronicle Of A Death Foretold Essay

The accusation process of a crime is often very tedious and at times misleading, but with careful analyzation the true culprit can be revealed. Such an instance occurs in Gabriel García Márquez's journalistic novel, Chronicle of a Death Foretold, in which Santiago Nasar is indicted of having been the individual responsible for deflowering Angela Vicario prior to her arranged marriage to Bayardo San Roman. This accusation, which is initially stated by Angela Vicario herself, causes a chain of events which ultimately result in the murder of Santiago Nasar by Pedro and Pablo Vicario, Angela’s brothers. Through their actions, the twins act for honor with the intention of freeing their sister of her dishonorable past. After the murder, many townspeople
In this society, sexual double standards arise as it is traditional for women to wait until marriage before giving up their virginity, yet men are expected to be experienced with the matter. It can be stated that with a guilty conviction, less empathy is shed toward Santiago Nasar, as he should be aware of the societal pressure for women to wait until marriage before getting deflowered. However, Santiago was also fulfilling his societal pressures as a male member. Essentially, although Santiago Nasar is guilty for deflowering Angela Vicario, his conviction is not one of shame as he was simply acting as society has taught him. Additionally, even though the immorality of murder may not be able to be completely pardoned, the Vicario brothers’ well meaning and honor behind the murder can be understood when in context with the society in which the novel takes place. Perhaps it is not Santiago who is responsible for deflowering Angela, or the Vicario brothers for his murder, but the structure of the society that is worthy of the