Chronicle of a Death Foretold

AoE: Time & Space

The purpose of this assignment is to increase your schema in order to help you understand the nuances
of the historical and cultural allusions and context within the novel. Your goal is to explore each topic
through online articles and videos as a form of background research.

#1:
Novel
Genres Genre #1: Magical Realism

In addition to being considered a part of the postmodern

genre of literature, Chronicle also falls within two other
completely different genres! The first one is called Magical
Realism. Based on simply the title of the genre, make an
inference as to what this writing style may involve:

I infer that it is very similar to the saying, “The trick of an eye.”

Magical Realism could exemplify the irrational feeling of the
paranormal and almost feel as if it could be realistic in the
eyes of the protagonist. Or, I feel it could fit really well under
the impression that the protagonist sense there is a larger
issue at hand than themselves, in short, the paranormal.

Next, check out this short 5-minute video to learn more about
the genre:

1. Briefly explain the difference between magical realism

and surrealism:

Magical realism focuses more on the subtle and suspicious

sensation one feels when glancing at a normal day object
while surrealism pinpoints the generality of a person’s
imagination and how they perceive a certain situation.

2. Bullet-point FOUR characteristics of Magical Realism:

● Unique and mysterious perspectives on reality

● “Fantastic” elements

● Containing supernatural elements

● Loose

3. Briefly explain how Magical Realism is NOT fantasy:

The genre contains supernatural elements, but supernatural

elements do not entitle the entire topic of Magical Realism. It

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is one aspect of it where fantasy surrounds the broad spectrum
of the beyond.

Then, review this short article, cut and paste the most
significant quote (and yes, there is definitely a key passage in
the article!) and comment on the author’s main idea:

“Surrealism comes from the reality of Latin America.” The

author, Ashley Fetters, elaborates on Gabriel García Márquez’s
novels and how his characters experience either the dialogue
of how futuristic items come into action or the idea of the
impossible derives his chronicles. With the mentioning of Latin
America, it is because she feels it is where the masters of
Magical Realism have originated from and where the main
components also derive from that paranormal feeling of
wonder and mystery that is always associated with Latin
American folklore and narratives.

Genre #2: Pseudo-Journalistic Reconstruction

Research the word pseudo and write the definition below:

A false; derived, and resembling an original idea but not quite

exemplifying it in the way that it is supposed to be.

Now, seeing that the word journalism is hyphenated with it,

what is implied about the writing style of Chronicle?

There is some truth to it that adds to the mysterious factor of,

“Is this real,” or “Did that really happen or was it a trick of the
mind?”

Last, skim through this short article (though you really only
need to read paragraphs #1 & #6) and explain what the term
reconstruction means:

Reconstruction refers to the idea of remaking a persona or

character without the original’s perspectives on the scene.
Without the physical interaction or knowledge of what a
person was like within their daily life, a journalist must figure
out the most efficient and techniques that best represent the
person they have to portray.

Now, put it all together! In one concise sentence explain what

the genre of pseudo-journalistic reconstruction means:

In summary, the term reconstruction symbolizes a person’s

attempt at recreating something other than their own original
use of imagination and with proper research to display the
realist persona possible with their abilities.

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 #2:
Author’s
Biography Gabriel Garcia Marquez:

CHOOSE ONE:

#1: Read over Marquez’s brief bio and choose three interesting
& relevant facts to discuss:

● He grew up in an “ancestral home” with his

grandparents serving as his greatest influences in
literature

● He was heavily interested and did not shy away from

foreign politics

● He lived in 7 different cities in his career.

#2: Watch this dry, yet slightly humorous YouTube video and
choose three interesting & relevant facts to discuss:

The Bystander Effect:

First, skim over this article in Psychology Today and explain in

your own words the definition of the term bystander effect, as
well as how the concepts of diffusion of responsibility and
social influence relate to it.
#3:
Key The bystander effect touches on a bystander’s own
Concept incompetence the greater the number of other passersby is
present during the tense situation. When motioning towards
the diffusion of responsibility and social influence and their
own influences upon the bystander effect, the diffusion of
responsibility in the absence of liability with more individuals
present, and social influence is how others presences affect
their own perception on how to help the situation. These two
specific theologies contribute to what a person believes is best
when reacting in a stressful situation of aid where doubt and
pressure to responsibly handle the circumstances without

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 making it worse and society’s heavy impression and greater
influence of these terms. It showcases a human’s own reliability
upon others, not capable of handling the situation themself or
one that is used to the idea of depending on others to manage
an issue at hand.

Next, watch this short YouTube video that shows the bystander
effect in action and answer the three questions below--you will
enjoy it if you like British people...

1. Explain WHY people seem to unconsciously and

unanimously follow the second rule?

The fear factor that a possibly wicked involvement is at hand

and these bystanders do not want to be influenced by such
involvement if that is the case. They do not wish to harm
themselves in the process and would rather do the same as all
the other bystanders do since it is the popular choice that will
ultimately mark someone alone or unique from the crowd if
they choose to channel the opposite option, which was assisting
on the actors.

2. Then, explain WHY peoples’ attitudes seem to change

and they then follow the first rule? Infer the
psychological reason behind this shift in attitude:

It because he appears to be a part of a more respectable

crowd of publicity, so there is nothing to fear in the case where
there may possibly be a private case of nefarious activity.
There is reassurance that no “hidden fees” will partake in the
situation, so the bystanders are sure that his own aid will not
affect their own peaceful lives or current stances of normality.

3. What main idea does the final example of the video

display?

Cultural paranoia interferes with a compassionate act of care

and protection, as there is that inner treachery that an act such
as help could affect our own beings in a negative manner of
debt or cynicism.

#4:
Cultural
Background Latin American Culture:

#1: MACHISMO vs. MARIANISMO

Review this informative Prezi and answer the following

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questions:

1. Define the term machismo and then summarize the

positive and negative aspects of this cultural concept:

It is a term that encircles the idea of what a man should be

and possess a strong sense of masculinity and pride riding
behind it. Although there seems to be a great title to it with
the involvement of money, protection of someone’s loved, and
one of a courageous background that is astute in business, it
also brings too much of a masculine persona as drinking and
domestic abuse are heavy influences as well.

2. Define the term marianismo and then summarize the

positive and negative aspects of this cultural concept:

In contrast to the last term, marianismo is a term that

surrounds femininity and a high woman-figure within a family.
It can influence ideas such as these women are figures of high
knowledge, very family-oriented, and culturally fluent with their
teachings of religion and tradition to their own children and
potentially grandchildren; nevertheless, they are the ones most
likely under the impression of domestic violence, the lack of
encouragement to learn and apprehend knowledge anywhere
other than home, the ones blamed for their husband’s abuse
and mistreatment, and that their only purpose lies within
breeding.

Next, quickly skim over the section of this article titled “Men
are expected to engage in illicit sex” and briefly discuss three
interesting/relevant/shocking facts:

● Bodies are inferior to the soul.

● Innocence or abstinence is looked down upon since the

boy or man will not be considered a “real man” and
shamed for it.

● Women are seen as men’s “prey” and they are the

“hunters.”

#2: HONOR KILLINGS

Watch this short video and answer the following questions:

1. Explain the definition of Honor Killing:

Honor Killing defines the riddance of a familiar relative

because of their involvement that brought shame or harm to
the family’s reputation.

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 2. Explain the “larger issue” that contributes to honor
killing, according to the video:

Without the influence of other, wider, countries that also

practice honor killings and the ideology that women are
patronized and considered inferior to the likes of higher-up
men, there is no chance of changing that theology as too
many generations of family, tradition, and culture have all
contributed to the immoral act as a part of the obsession for
status and reputation.

If you find this topic highly interesting, check out this

fascinating article on Machismo & Honor Killing!

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minutes of your time and provide me some helpful feedback, I
would appreciate it! Thanks!

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