Question

Explain why you do or not think the Vicario brothers really want to murder Santiago

Answer 1

In the novel Chronicle of a Death Foretold, the Vicario brothers initially show signs of reluctance to carry out the murder of Santiago Nasar. However, they ultimately proceed due to social pressure, cultural norms, and the honor code enforced in their community. They hesitate, take actions to avoid the murder, and confess their crime afterwards.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Vicario brothers, in the novel Chronicle of a Death Foretold, initially show signs of reluctance to carry out the murder of Santiago Nasar. This can be seen through their wavering behavior, the actions they take to avoid the murder, and their confession after the crime is committed. However, they ultimately proceed with the murder due to social pressure, cultural norms, and the honor code enforced in their community.

There are several reasons why it can be argued that the Vicario brothers did not truly want to murder Santiago Nasar:

1. Firstly, the brothers hesitate multiple times before the act. They openly discuss their intentions, seeking advice from others and hoping that someone will convince them to abandon their plan.
2. Secondly, the Vicario brothers take deliberate actions to avoid killing Santiago. They sharpen their knives in the town square, hoping that it will be seen as a sufficient deterrent to protect their sister's honor without actually harming Santiago.
3. Lastly, after the murder, the brothers confess their crime in a public manner, expecting to be taken into custody. This suggests a sense of guilt and remorse, indicating that they may not have truly wanted to go through with the act.

However, it is also important to consider the cultural and societal factors that influenced their decision:

1. The pressure from their family and community to uphold their family's honor and reputation forced the brothers to act. In their culture, failing to avenge a perceived offense against their sister's honor could result in consequences for the entire family.
2. Additionally, the prevailing cultural norms and expectations of machismo in their community play a significant role. The brothers may have felt obligated to demonstrate their masculinity and fulfill their role as protectors of their family's honor.