The Chronicle Death Foretold English Literature Essay

The Chronicle Death Foretold English Literature EssayI returned to this forgotten village, exploiting to put the broken mirror of warehousing back unitedly from so many scattered shards, summarizes the narrators entire expedition to Sucre trying to unravel an unsolved mystery of the murder of capital of Chile Nasar. This essay will explore how memories sue as a nib in Chronicle of a Death Foretold. Memories seem to be the only source of information for the narrator and are a great deal used by Marquez to bring to the indorser the plot, albeit in a non-sequential order.Memories non only help in determining a characters perception of egresss unless overly create ambiguity. Marquez showcases some memories as contradicting and the others as vaguely similar to what actually happens in the lives of the characters twenty-seven years back. The source creates a relation amongst the reader and narrator with the help of first-person narrative this engages the reader more as he lea ves them to decide whose memory should be trusted.One of many words that can be associated with this story is enigma, as a result of Marquezs non-linear narrative. Although the story begins with the revelation of specific memories of the murder such as the time, setting and the victim, the suspense lies in the context wherefore the Vicario brothers kill Nasar. Marquez uses stereotypical techniques that accompany a mystery revealing conflicting memories of different characters at once It wasnt raining, Pablo Vicario remembered. Just the opposite, Pedro recalled2. While Victoria Guzman was sure that it had not rained the entire month of February, some others claimed that the hold up was funereal3and a thin drizzle4was falling. Thus, one cannot coreively visualize the setting of the day Nasar is murdered these contradicting reminiscences of weather are perhaps intended to create uncertainty. The uncertainty in the recollections of weather not only forebode capital of Chile Nasars death, but also help the writer in using it as a tool to forebode other impending uncertainties, which are a result of ambiguous memories. This helps the writer in twine an atmosphere of suspense.The memories of characters effectively bring out the dynamics of relationships in the plot. That the Columbian culture emphasized on strong filial bonds is clearly discerned in Placida Lineros memory of her son The last image his mother had of him was that of his fleeting passage through the bedroom as she would remember him forever5. Her memories reveal the strong tie between Santiago and herself, years after her sons death. Marquez also presents the flipside of filial bonds through Angelas recollection of her relationship with her mother. Angela only recollects the harsh incidents and the severity with which her mother dealt with her when she was returned by Bayardo San Roman for losing her virginity forward marriage The only thing I can remember is that she was holding me by the hair w ith one hand and beating me with the other with such impatience that I thought she was going to kill me6. Purisima del Carmens vigilant disposition, made Angela subservient to her. This reflects on Angelas upbringing, a certain lack of trust, thereby, the dynamics of their relationship.Santiago Nasars character is ceremonious through the varied memories of him.The memories of minor characters also hit to the multiple perspectives of Nasar and his murder. Flora Miguel said Here you are And I hope they kill you7. But on the other hand Luisa Santiaga and Yamil Shaium try stopping the murder to save Nasar. With this in mind, he can also be claimed the protagonist of this chronicle, as all memories, both good or bad, are centered around him.The memories of individuals serve different purposes, than when used collectively to discover the truth. Separately, memories add a different angle to the recollection, by including each characters thoughts and feelings. There has never been a de ath more foretold8, the narrator remarks during his journey. It can also be inferred that the characters themselves did not remember the event chronologically but rather in bits and pieces.This also refers to the title, as per definition of a chronicle it is not sequenced chronologicallyJointly, memories help the writer to gather all the recollections to narrate an event that takes the reader back in time, to describe events during the wedding I had a very confused memory of the festival before I decided to bringing it piece by piece from the memory of others9. Using memory as a motif, the writer also creates literary tension as he tries adaptation all these pieces of memory together to present a sensible picture.Memories bring to life the rationale represented by Columbian culture in the 18th century. The writers use of memories draws a parallel between the social conventions of that period and those twenty-seven years later. Pablos wife claimed I never would have married him if he hadnt through with(p) what a man should do10. The importance of family honor and machismo and the correlation between the two remains the aforesaid(prenominal) after twenty seven years. Memories therefore cinch mediator through different time periods by presenting the unchanged social constructs and norms.Using memories, the writer presents elements of magical realism through such instances as the dissection of Santiago Nasars body (It was as if we killed him all over again after he was dead11) and the recollection of the priest (the dogs, aroused by the smell of death12). These instances add to the uncertainty and create anticipation, as the suspense is revealed slowly.Later in the text, even with the description of Nasars body being cut open and stitched back together, the effect of using magical realism here is to show how Nasars reputation was questioned and how is identity was erased, after his murder.Memories are also used as a cathartic tool to purge the guilt associat ed with Santiago Nasars murder. The entire community is to blame for it and their memories either come across as excuses or remorse for not informing Santiago that he was in danger. (The) twins declared at the end of the trial that they would have done it again a thousand times over for the same reason13. This conveys how the brothers attempt to purge themselves of the guilt related with the murder, by convincing themselves more than the narrator or the reader that they are guiltless. We killed him openly, Pedro Vicario said, but were innocent.14They repeatedly try to justify their act, to escape the guilt and remorse associated with killing a man, whose culpability they are, perhaps, uncertain about.Marquezs portrayal of a mystery catches the attention of the readers instantly. The use of memories is prevalent in different forms and consistent through the entire mystery. Although the investigation has been carried out after so many years, it still gives rise to a few significant qu estions about. Thus, the reader may question the accuracy of these memories and whether they can actually be of any help in understanding the reasons for death of Santiago Nasar. The answer to this question could probably be traced through the authenticity or reliability of these memories, and the reconstruction of these broken pieces, that Marquez puts together for the reader, as a complete chronicle.