Chronicle of a Death Foretold

Chapter 5: Analysis Questions

While reading the chapter, annotate for the common elements of craft and then answer each of
the following questions in at least 3-4 concise sentences.

DO NOT RESEARCH THESE ONLINE!

CHALLENGE YOUR INTELLECT AND DO THE WORK YOURSELF!

First, carefully examine the introduction paragraph on pg. 96, annotating for multiple themes and
symbols.

1. Annotate pgs. 97-98 and discuss at least four examples of how Santiago’s death effected the
townspeople:

A. ​After the murder of Santiago everybody in the town was amazed at “the chain of many
chance event that had made absurdity possible” causing them to analyse “the place and
mission assigned to [them] by fate” (95). The coincidences that cause his death becomes a
major talking point in the town and their own place in these events fascinates them. Even after
many years the town is still processing what happened since they become obsessed with
discussing what happened.

B. ​Hortencia Baute felt so much turmoil over not stopping the two brothers that she went mad
with guilt. She had seen both of them with their knives and hadn’t done anything to stop then
which caused her to feel so much remorse that she went crazy, causing her to “[run] out naked
in the street” (97). Even though she wasn’t even aware of her intentions at the time, it shows
how she, among other townspeople, felt responsible for Santiago’s death.

C. ​Santiago’s fiancee, Flora, was left alone and heartbroken causing her to run away with a
man she hardly knew. This unfortunately led to him “prostituting her among the rubber
workers in Vichada” further securing her tragic fate (97). Instead of living out her life under
her family's safety, Santiago’s death also killed her chance at a prosperous future.

D. ​Don Rogelio de la Flor, who was Clotilde Armenta’s husband, died after seeing Santiago’s
body. He had previously dismissed his wife’s warning about the twins’ threats which
ironically led to his own death too. The narrator states that “he didn’t survive the shock”
showing how he couldn’t handle the brutality of the crime which he allowed to happen (97).

2. There are TWO crucial quotes on pg. 99 (they should stick out like Waldo on a white
canvas…); please identify each by writing them below and then discuss their overall
significance:

A. “The marginal notes and not just because of the color of the ink, seemed to be written in
blood” This could symbolize the blood shed by Santiago and his wounds. The magistrate
 is so invested in the emotions of this case that he writes in blood to communicate the
brutality and the tainted evidence that he discovers. It shows the corruption of the event
in how somebody was likely wrongfully murdered.

B. “Nevertheless, what had alarmed him most at the conclusion of his excessive diligence
was not having found a single clue, not even the most probable, that Santiago Nassar had
been the cause of the wrong” (99). This clearly shows that Santiago was probably
innocent and killed for a crime he did not commit. The magistrate was unable to find any
evidence against him and Angela was even unable to give any details on how he took her
virginity. Despite Angela’s constant insistence on her perpetrator, in many parts of the
book it suggests otherwise also showing how Angela blatantly disregards Santiago’s life
and her own fault in his murder.

3. The official investigator chalks up the outcome of the case to one simple phrase on pg. 100.
Discuss his thoughts and how they connect to a Global Issue. Then, provide a key quote from pg.
101 to support your analysis:
​The magistrate did not believe Angela due to her shallow accusation that she couldn’t even
support with evidence or details of the encounter. Not only was her testimony untrustworthy, but
the way Santiago acted the day of the murder gave “overwhelming proof of his innocence”
(100). His extensive investigation into the murder brings justice for Santiago but the values and
beliefs that the community holds leads to the killing of an innocent man in the name of “honor”.
Santiago’s “reaction was not one of panic, as has so often been said, but rather, the bewilderment
of innocence” making the magistrates theory on his murder even more probable (101).

As you read from pgs. 102 through the rest of the chapter, make sure to heavily annotate
for the Bystander Effect, the role of coincidence and fate, elements of Magical Realism, and
the conflicting subjectivity of memory.

4. Examine the odd passages on pg. 106 and the top of pg. 107 when Cristo describes
Santiago’s sleeping mother and then her awakened state. Discuss what the author might be
conveying through these descriptions of the feminine sex, using direct quotes as necessary.
​When Cristo Bedoya first walks into Santiago’s room he is “fascinated by her beauty” and
describes her as an “apparition” almost as if she were an angel (106). Once she wakes up
and follows him to her son’s room where he sees her “in full light” he then says “the charm
had vanished” (107). This contrast in how he views her might be referring to how women
are often seen as pure and incapable of harm, when in reality they are just as dangerous or
sinful as men.
Closely examine pgs. 111-113 and annotate for feminine flower imagery & symbolism, the
motif of letters, and the motif of falconry.

5. Discuss how the author continues to combine the motifs of letters and falconry in
support of a main idea(s). Use TWO direct quotes to support your analysis.
​With the engagement of Flora and Santiago she is the one who rejects him once she hears
about his alleged involvement with Angela. When he goes to her house she collects his
letters and “she place[s] the chest in his hands” ending their relationship (113). This shows
the role that is seen throughout the novel regarding women's position as falconer by
having control over the men who are falcons. With both Flora and Angela’s we see how
they had the ultimate decision in their relationship and how in reality they can control
what happens. The shame from the situation causes her to “[weep] with rage” and go
“through a crisis of humiliation” which eventually leads to her rejection of Santiago (113).
Santiago tries to talk but she’s able to shut him out and ignore his pleas.

6. Thoroughly discuss the significance of Nahir Miguel’s comment that Santiago Nasar
“looked like a little wet bird” (Marquez 114).
​In this moment he realizes that he is in grave danger and is utterly confused by the
situation. Throughout the entire day he had been living freely without any worries or
concerns, similar to the symbolism of a bird. He is then made aware that people have
actually been out to kill him and his joy is soiled by this threat, taking away the peace he
had previously experienced. By comparing him to a “wet bird” he is showing how
Santiago’s freedom is lost similar to that of a bird who is in the rain.

7. There is so much depth to the final pages of the chapter! Please make sure that you are
heavily annotating each detail—however, for this question, discuss at least four passages
that parallel Santiago Nasar and Jesus Christ throughout pgs. 115-120.

A.​ Divina Flor sees a vision of Santigo coming into the house “wearing his white suit”
symbolizing the purity of white linen similar to that of Jesus Christ (116). He was also
carrying a bouquet of roses which symbolize love and passion further giving an image of
Jesus. Her vision makes him appear as holy and divine.

B. ​When they first began to stab Santiago leans against the door “without the slightest
resistance, as if he only wanted to help finish killing him by his own contribution” (118).
This relates to how Jesus didn’t resist against what the romans were doing to him and
instead let them murder him. Santiago also didn’t let out a cry after that similar to how
Jesus remained silent until the very end when he cried out for his father.
C. When Pedro first attacks Santiago he pierces his hand symbolizing how Jesus was
crucified on the cross. Jesus had nails bolting him to the cross leaving wounds that
he would later show to identify himself when he came back to life. The knife going
through Santiago’s hand is used to connect Jesus crucifiction.

D. Santiago is held up by the stabs against the door towards the end of the murder.
This also signifies how Jesus was crucified on the cross by showing how he is being
held up by the knives going through his body and making contact with the wood.
Just like Jesus who is held on a cross made of wood, he is held up on the wooden
door.