Chronicle of a Death Foretold Motifs

6 February 2023

http://www.sxcsrannalibrary.co.in/sites/default/files/Chronicle%20of%20a%20Death%20Foretold-GABRIEL%20GARCIA%20MARQUEZ.pdf

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1o03jkJrdcgcwcNITDIsRNtMdJoplDXjXDgnVcT\_eiMU/edit?usp=sharing

## Catholicism

* Importance of Catholicism shown: but proven how hypocritical people are about it.
* Santiago is displayed as Christ figure from innocence to crucifixion.
	+ Santiago eventually stops fighting back just like god, until he is dead and the town actually realizes their mistake.

1. Collect Data: Find at least five examples in the novella and document the page numbers

2. Make inferences: Explain at least three possible ideas that this motif may represent

3. Draw thematic connections: Explain how this motif helps to develop a major theme in the story.

4. Synthesize your ideas: Develop the above in a paragraph

### Collect Data:

* The motif of Catholicism is present throughout the novella "Chronicle of a Death Foretold". Examples of this motif include references to religious icons, rituals, and beliefs. Some specific examples include:
	+ **Chapter 1: The bishop not visiting the town despite the entire town anticipating it. This goes against catholic value of forgiveness which the Bishop does not do. The whole town anticipated it despite the bishop not having gotten off of his boat in the previous years.**
	+ **Chapter 1: Page 16: The ship letting out condensed steam and soaking the docks is a symbol of baptism.**
	+ **Chapter 1: Angela Vicario is discovered to not be a virgin and is immediately kicked out by her husband and returned to her family. Her brothers then take it upon themselves to bring justice.**
	+ **Chapter 1: Page 20: "the people were too excited with the bishop's visit to worry about any other news." The people might have known about Santiago's murder but emplaced trust in the Bishop to prevent it.**
	+ **Chapter 4 Beginning: Father Carmen is entrusted with the autopsy of Santiago instead of a doctor. Contrary to Catholic values, the priest throws his intestines away and does not respect the corpse (Page 76). Hypocrisy.**
	+ The Vicario brothers visit a priest to ask for his blessing before killing Santiago

### Make inferences:

* The motif of Catholicism in the novella may represent:
	+ The role of religion in shaping the cultural beliefs and practices of the townspeople.
	+ The tension between religious morality and personal desires, as seen in the Vicario brothers' decision to seek the priest's blessing before killing Santiago.
	+ The importance of appearances and the public display of piety, as seen in Santiago's actions of wearing a cross and kissing it.

### Draw thematic connections:

* The motif of Catholicism helps to show the theme of societal pressure and conformity in the novella. Through references to religious practices and beliefs, the author demonstrates how religion can be used as a tool to control and influence the behavior of individuals. Additionally, the motif highlights the ways in which societal expectations can lead people to act against their own beliefs and values.

### Synthesize your ideas:

* In "Chronicle of a Death Foretold", the motif of Catholicism shows the power of religion and cultural norms in shaping the actions and beliefs of the people in the town. Through examples of religious practices and beliefs, the author shows the tension between personal desires and societal expectations. Also, the motif helps to develop the theme of societal pressure and conformity, demonstrating how religion and cultural norms can be used to control and influence individuals.

## Water

* River: Town's only connection to the outside world. Arrival of the Bishop and Bayardo San Roman both from the river.
* Rain

### Examples:

* Page 3: A drizzle starts in the town
* Page 76 Chap 4: Father Carmen blesses Santiagos body with holy water.

### Inferences:

The motif of water in the novella may represent:

* The idea of purification and cleansing, as seen in the use of holy water to bless Santiago's body and the washing away of his blood in the river.
* The idea of life and vitality, as seen in the references to the river and rain.
* The idea of unpredictability and change, as seen in the rainy weather on the day of Santiago's death and the shifting currents of the river.

### Thematic connections:

* The motif of water helps to develop the major theme of the instability of life in the novella. Through references to bodies of water and weather patterns, the author highlights the idea that life is constantly changing and unpredictable and that even the most seemingly stable aspects of the world can change suddenly and without warning. Additionally, the motif of water adds to the overall atmosphere of uncertainty and unpredictability in the novella.

### Synthesizing paragraph

In "Chronicle of a Death Foretold", the motif of water serves to explore the themes of purification, life, and unpredictability. Through references to rain, rivers, and holy water, the author shows the idea of life as constantly changing and that even the most seemingly stable aspects of the world can change suddenly. Additionally, the motif help to develop the overarching theme of the transience of life, emphasizing the idea that all things are temporary and that change is inevitable. The motif of water contributes to the overall atmosphere of unpredictability and uncertainty in the novella.