Casey Redmond
Socratic Seminar Prep Sheet: Chronicle Of A Death Foretold
Comprehension Questions​:
1) Why was Santiago Nasar killed?
He was killed because he took the virginity of Angela Vicario, who was meant to
be a virgin when married to Bayardo San Roman
2) Did anyone know about the Vicario brothers’ intent the day of the murder?
Yes, in fact, a good amount of people knew that Santiago Nasar was going to be
killed. These people included the owner of the milk shop, Clotilde Armenia, the Father,
and others. “Many of those who were on the docks knew that they were going to kill
Santiago Nasar."
3) Where did CDF take place? How is this setting significant to the story?
It took place in a town in Columbia. This is significant because the town was
small, therefore rumors got around quickly. For example, many people knew about the
murder of Santiago Nasar before it happened
Analytical Questions:
1) Even though the reader knew Santiago was going to die with the use of
foreshadowing, how did the author keep the reader engaged and advance the
plot?
The author kept the reader engaged by using mystery and conflict skills. He kept
the plot going by continuing to reveal new developments in the story, disclosing new
pieces to the puzzle of how and why Santiago Nasar died.
2) Does the non-linear plot structure help the author’s purpose of building tension
and mystery within the text?
Yes. This is because the use of foreshadowing and time-shifts helps give away
information that makes the book come together in one death scene in the end, the final
missing piece. “On the day they were going to kill him, Santiago Nasar got up at
five-thirty in the morning for the boat the bishop was coming on.” (Chapter 1, 1st page,
1st sentence)
3) Was CDF’s protagonist, Santiago Nasar, the most complex character, or was it a
different person?
No. The decision of the most complex character is a tough one, but it would be
Angela Vicario. This is because it is never truly revealed if Santiago Nasar actually took
her virginity, or if she was just using him as a scapegoat in order for her true lover not to
get killed. “Holding me by the hair with one hand and beating me with the other with
such a rage that I thought she was going to kill me.” (Pg 47)
Philosophical Questions:
1) What might be the significance of using twins as the murders in the novel?
This could be a metaphor for the town’s two faces. One is the pristine Columbian
village of average people, and the other is the chaotic and webbed underside.
2) In order to avenge their shamed sister, the Vicario twins kill Santiago Nasar for
their family honor. Does the strong element of an honor code culture still exist
today and how does it affect our daily lives like it does in CDF?
An honor code family still exists. Many stricter and traditional families put
pressure on the children to withhold family honor by getting good grades, getting into a
good university, and getting a good job. The Vicario brothers had a similar situation,
except more extreme. They had the role of keeping the honor of the family when
Angela’s virginity was taken before she could give it to Bayardo. “’Now the haven’t got
anything to kill anybody with,’ he said./ ’That’s not why… It’s to spare those poor boys
from the horrible duty that’s fallen on them.'"
3) Were the actions of the Vicario twins justified?
Pablo and Pedro thought that their actions were justified, therefore had no
problem admitting that they killed Santiago. However, murdering another human can
never be a suitable answer, especially when they can be put somewhere more suitable
(like jail). Even more so when you do not know the whole story. “The Lawyer stood by
the thesis of homicide in legitimate defence of honour… [and] that they would have
done it again a thousand times over for the same reason.” (chapter 2, first sentence)
Page #: Page 63
Quote: “‘​I can imagine my sons, she said. Honor doesn’t wait.’”
Page #: Page 50
Quote: ​“There had never been a death more foretold.”