In Chronicle of a Death Foretold the
murder of Santiago Nasar is motivated and justified by
honor.
When Angela names Nasar as the guilty party and the
reason she has been returned from her marriage bed, her twin brothers must protect the
honor of their family. After they commit the act, the courts (as well as the priest)
justify the murder because it was committed to protect
honor.
Also, the murder is allowed to happen by the
townspeople, at least in part, because the situation concerns
honor.
This warped sense of honor and violence and revenge
is rooted in the dichotomy, or two different ways, men and woman are judged concerning
sexual relations. Men are praised for making love with as many women as possible, but
women are harshly judged for any sex outside of marriage. Men can be playboys, but
women must be virgins before marriage. Angela is, in a sense, an idol or possession.
When Nasar "defiles" her, he dishonors her family.
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