Chronicle of a Death Foretold Authorial Choices Flashcards
Why did the author choose to narrate the story from multiple perspectives and in a nonlinear fashion? How does this affect the reader’s understanding of the events leading up to and following the murder of Santiago Nasar?
It is possible that Gabriel García Márquez chose to narrate “Chronicle of a Death Foretold” from multiple perspectives and in a nonlinear fashion in order to create a sense of confusion and uncertainty for the reader, which helps to underscore the themes of the novel. This narrative structure forces the reader to piece together a complete picture of the events leading up to and following the murder of Santiago Nasar, and the nonlinear structure adds to the sense of disorientation and reinforces the theme of the characters’ inability to fully understand what has occurred.
Why did the author choose to set the story in a specific time and place?
The story in “Chronicle of a Death Foretold” is set in a small Colombian town in the early 1950s. The specific time and place are important because they help to shape the cultural and societal context in which the events of the story take place. The setting also helps to establish the characters and their relationships with one another, as well as the themes and motifs that are present in the novel. For example, the setting of a small, traditional, and conservative town may contribute to the themes of honor and tradition that are prevalent in the story, as well as the characters’ adherence to societal expectations and codes of conduct. The setting also helps to create a sense of atmosphere and mood that is unique to the story.
Why did the author choose to set the story in a small, isolated Colombian village?
The setting of a small, isolated Colombian village in “Chronicle of a Death Foretold” serves to emphasise the theme of the characters’ inability to escape the cultural and social expectations that shape their lives. The tight-knit nature of the community and the limited options available to the characters contribute to the sense of entrapment and the inability to break free from the forces that shape their actions. The setting also adds to the sense of inevitability surrounding Santiago’s murder, as the characters are unable to escape the events that have been set in motion by the cultural and social forces at play in the community.
Why did the author choose to have the story narrated by an omniscient third-person narrator, rather than having a single character narrate their own perspective?
The use of an omniscient third-person narrator allows the reader to see the events of the story from the perspectives of multiple characters, rather than being limited to a single character’s viewpoint. This can help to create a more complete understanding of the events leading up to and following Santiago’s murder, as the reader is able to see how different characters perceive and react to these events. Additionally, the use of an omniscient narrator allows the author to provide insight and commentary on the characters and their actions, which can help to further convey the themes of the novel
Why did the author choose to use magic realism in the novel?
Magic realism is a literary style that combines elements of the fantastic or surreal with realistic elements. In “Chronicle of a Death Foretold,” the use of magic realism serves to add a layer of mysticism and otherworldly elements to the story. It also serves to highlight the theme of the characters’ inability to fully understand or come to terms with the events that have occurred, as the magic realism elements can be seen as representing the characters’ attempts to make sense of the inexplicable and the unknown.
