"Angela Vicario was the prettiest of the four, and my mother said that she had been born like the great queens of history, with the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck. But she had a helpless air and a poverty of spirit that augured an uncertain future for her" (Marquez 32). This quote from Chronicle of a Death Foretold, written by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, highlights the theme of masculinity which appears throughout the book. Girls are born already deprived and suffocated of life, knowing their sole purpose is to grow up and become a wife. The novel takes place in a small Colombian village and tells the story of Angela Vicario's stolen virginity and the murder of the suspect, Santiago Nasar. The narrator, decades after the events, is trying
…show more content…
As young boys they are taught that becoming a macho man is an expectation they must live up to. If they do not meet this, they are frowned upon by the entire society. One example is how Pablo and Pedro are forced to murder Santiago to avenge their sister, Angela's stolen virginity. It is very evident the twins do not want to follow through with the slaughter as they tell nearly everyone in the village their plans, in hopes that someone will stop them. Regardless of their absent desire, they have been taught this is their responsibility. The men of the family are required to step up and provide for the family, in this case by regaining honor. Clotilde Armenta, who tries to stop the murder, says of the Vicario twins "It's to spare those poor boys from the horrible duty that's fallen on them" (Marquez 57). Clotilde recognizes that their decision to take Santiago's life is not by choice, but by unspoken rule. The laws of machismo place the responsibility of honor on the men of the house, in this case Pablo and Pedro. Regardless of their opinion, they must carry through with the murder or else they lose all status and bring shame upon the family. It is an expectation for them to murder Santiago and almost the entire village believes the boys need to man up and follow through with it. One example is how Prudenica Cotes, Pablo's fiancé, views the scenario. She tells the narrator, "I didn't only agree, I never …show more content…
The women in the society see an issue of family honor as a situation they cannot touch. None of the men want to intervene either as they are afraid to beceome involved in such serious matters. After the murder takes place and the villagers are full of remorse, the narrator states, "Most of those who could have done something to prevent the crime and did not consoled themselves with the pretext that affairs of honor are sacred monopolies" (Marquez 97). The narrator emphasizes how all the men are afraid to overstep their boundaries and interfere in a dispute between the Vicarios and Nasars. The only person who is not afraid to intercede in the feud is Cristo Bedoya. Clotilde Armenta says of Cristo, "In our faggot town only a man like him could prevent the tragedy" (Marquez 109). Clotilde is highlighting the irony of how a town so obsessed with manliness is full of cowards who stand by and watch as their friend is murdered. Equally important is the villagers' rationale in refusing to save Santiago, which in turn is due to the town's emphasis on machismo. Women are raised to distinguish the difference between men's and women's affairs. Family honor is sacrosanct and the female villagers fear their involvement will only make matters worse and bring shame upon their family. Additionally, the men in the town face a similar dilemma. They know their participation will lower their status and cause
As young boys they are taught that becoming a macho man is an expectation they must live up to. If they do not meet this, they are frowned upon by the entire society. One example is how Pablo and Pedro are forced to murder Santiago to avenge their sister, Angela's stolen virginity. It is very evident the twins do not want to follow through with the slaughter as they tell nearly everyone in the village their plans, in hopes that someone will stop them. Regardless of their absent desire, they have been taught this is their responsibility. The men of the family are required to step up and provide for the family, in this case by regaining honor. Clotilde Armenta, who tries to stop the murder, says of the Vicario twins "It's to spare those poor boys from the horrible duty that's fallen on them" (Marquez 57). Clotilde recognizes that their decision to take Santiago's life is not by choice, but by unspoken rule. The laws of machismo place the responsibility of honor on the men of the house, in this case Pablo and Pedro. Regardless of their opinion, they must carry through with the murder or else they lose all status and bring shame upon the family. It is an expectation for them to murder Santiago and almost the entire village believes the boys need to man up and follow through with it. One example is how Prudenica Cotes, Pablo's fiancé, views the scenario. She tells the narrator, "I didn't only agree, I never …show more content…
The women in the society see an issue of family honor as a situation they cannot touch. None of the men want to intervene either as they are afraid to beceome involved in such serious matters. After the murder takes place and the villagers are full of remorse, the narrator states, "Most of those who could have done something to prevent the crime and did not consoled themselves with the pretext that affairs of honor are sacred monopolies" (Marquez 97). The narrator emphasizes how all the men are afraid to overstep their boundaries and interfere in a dispute between the Vicarios and Nasars. The only person who is not afraid to intercede in the feud is Cristo Bedoya. Clotilde Armenta says of Cristo, "In our faggot town only a man like him could prevent the tragedy" (Marquez 109). Clotilde is highlighting the irony of how a town so obsessed with manliness is full of cowards who stand by and watch as their friend is murdered. Equally important is the villagers' rationale in refusing to save Santiago, which in turn is due to the town's emphasis on machismo. Women are raised to distinguish the difference between men's and women's affairs. Family honor is sacrosanct and the female villagers fear their involvement will only make matters worse and bring shame upon their family. Additionally, the men in the town face a similar dilemma. They know their participation will lower their status and cause