Chronicle of a Death Foretold: Chapter 4 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

Why does Father Carmen Amador perform Santiago's autopsy?

The mayor asked him to; the town's doctor was gone and no one else was qualified or willing to at that time.

How does the priest describe the autopsy?

"It was as if we killed him all over again after he was dead."

Why does the mayor ask the priest to perform the autopsy instead of a medically trained person?

He's too proud to admit that he didn't know how to do it himself.

Why does Christo Bedoya decline to conduct the autopsy?

He was close friends with Santiago. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Santiago's autopsy have to be performed in a hurry?

The heat was causing the body to quickly decay. Signup and view all the answers

What does Divina Flor's weeping as she fends off the dogs suggest?

The fact that Santiago's decaying body is enticing the dogs is making her sick; she is guilty and overcome by Santiago's death. Signup and view all the answers

Why was the Nasar's house crowded?

Many people had come to view the body. Signup and view all the answers

How is the purple blotch on Santiago's face described?

A shadow of a cloud on water. Signup and view all the answers

What implements did the priest ironically have to use to perform the autopsy?

Craftsmen's tools; he later alludes to the body's state to that of Christ's after crucifixion. Signup and view all the answers

What did the priest find among Santiago's innards?

A gold medal he had swallowed when he was 4. Signup and view all the answers

What does one of the stab wounds in Santiago's hands resembling the stigmata of Christ suggest?

His innocence, since Christ was an innocent man himself. Signup and view all the answers

Why does the priest lament a brilliant future was cut short for Santiago?

His brain was larger and weighed more than an average Englishman's head. Signup and view all the answers

What might the dogs' panting after Santiago's innards represent?

The savage attitude of the townspeople (honor and revenge). Signup and view all the answers

What does the juxtaposition of Santiago's massacred body and his elaborate coffin suggest?

The hypocrisy in the morals of the townspeople. Signup and view all the answers

What is another contrast of values apparent in the chapter?

The whores dyeing their party clothes to mourning colors. Signup and view all the answers

How does Maria Alejandrina Cervantes handle her grief?

Excessively eating. Signup and view all the answers

What might the narrator's dream about the voracious child suggest?

The demands the community had and the consequences that came with them. Signup and view all the answers

What smell do the Vicario brothers struggle to get rid of?

The smell of Santiago's blood on their clothes. Signup and view all the answers

What does the behavior of the Vicario twins suggest?

A sense of guilt deep within them. Signup and view all the answers

How does Pedro Vicario's guilt manifest itself?

Extreme drowsiness; he was awake for 11 months after the murder. Signup and view all the answers

What do the twins attribute their health problems to?

Being poisoned by someone. Signup and view all the answers

Where were the twins transferred to?

The mayor's house. Signup and view all the answers

How is the Arab community described in the novel?

Peaceful, hard-working, and clannish. Signup and view all the answers

What is ironically suggested about the matriarch of the Arab community?

She was responsible for curing the illnesses. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the Vicario family?

They leave town and never return. Signup and view all the answers

What does Pura Vicario's choice of dress for her daughter suggest?

She cares about her daughter's appearance more than whether she's hurt or not. Signup and view all the answers

What is Poncio Vicario's death attributed to?

His 'moral pain,' which suggests he feels remorse for the murder. Signup and view all the answers

What does Pablo Vicario go on to do?

Becoming a metalsmith and getting married. Signup and view all the answers

Why do townspeople refer to Bayardo San Roman as 'poor Bayardo'?

He had unfortunate things happen to him; they believe he is the only true victim. Signup and view all the answers

What does the narrator suspect about the San Roman family's excessive show of grief?

Because he is hiding his shame. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Angela Vicario decide to write to Bayardo San Roman?

After she sees him in the hotel many years later. Signup and view all the answers

How do Angela's unanswered letters make her feel?

Like she is writing to no one; she can be fully honest with herself and discovers her true feelings. Signup and view all the answers

What is Angela frightened about regarding Bayardo?

That Bayardo doesn't love her as much as she ages. Signup and view all the answers

What does Angela say she sees in Bayardo despite him aging?

The same way she last saw him. Signup and view all the answers

What does Bayardo's statement, 'Well, here I am,' suggest?

He knows what Angela wants and has forgiven her. Signup and view all the answers

What does Bayardo's suitcase full of unopened letters suggest?

He doesn't need to open them to see what they say; he doesn't need to hear Angela's excuses, for he has made mistakes too. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Santiago's Autopsy

Father Carmen Amador performs Santiago's autopsy due to the mayor's request; the town's doctor is unavailable.
The priest compares the autopsy's impact to killing Santiago again, highlighting its emotional weight.
The mayor opts for the priest over a medically trained person out of pride and unwillingness to admit ignorance.
Christo Bedoya refuses to conduct the autopsy due to his close friendship with Santiago.

Circumstances of the Autopsy

Urgency arises for the autopsy due to rapid decay from the heat.
Divina Flor's distress while shooing away dogs symbolizes her guilt over Santiago's death.

Public Response and Reactions

The Nasar household becomes crowded with townspeople viewing Santiago's body.
A purple blotch on Santiago's face is likened to a cloud's shadow on water.
Craftsmen's tools are used for the autopsy, evoking imagery of crucifixion parallels.

Discoveries and Symbolism

A gold medal found among Santiago's innards signifies innocence tied to childhood.
Stab wounds on Santiago's hands resemble the stigmata, suggesting an innocent martyrdom.

Themes of Guilt and Consequence

The priest mourns Santiago's potential due to his unusually larger brain.
Dogs’ interest in Santiago’s remains reflects the brutal quest for honor among townspeople.
The contrast between Santiago’s battered body and his ornate coffin critiques town hypocrisy.

Cultural and Familial Dynamics

The chapter reveals the duality of values as mourners wear dark mourning colors over party attire.
Characters like Maria Alejandrina Cervantes cope with grief through excessive consumption.

Community Impact and Legacy

The narrative hints at community demands influencing individual actions and their tragic outcomes.
The Vicario twins struggle with guilt, symbolized by the persistent scent of Santiago's blood on their clothing.
Pedro Vicario suffers from insomnia, indicating profound remorse.

Departure and Reflection

The Vicario family ultimately leaves town, not to return, suggesting their alienation.
Pura Vicario’s prioritization of appearance over emotional pain denotes societal expectations on women.

Post-Tragedy Lives

Poncio Vicario's death stems from "moral pain," hinting at collective remorse over the murder.
Pablo Vicario transitions to become a metalsmith and marries, indicating attempts at normalcy post-tragedy.

Relationships and Unfulfilled Love

The townsfolk's sympathy for Bayardo San Roman reflects misfortune and victimization perceptions.
Angela Vicario's will to write to Bayardo later in life unveils her enduring commitment to their relationship.
Unanswered letters facilitate Angela’s self-discovery and expression of true feelings, despite fears of aging affecting love.

Lasting Connections

Bayardo’s unchanged perception of Angela despite aging hints at an enduring emotional bond.
His acknowledgment, "Well, here I am," indicates a mutual understanding and forgiveness surrounding shared mistakes.
The unopened letters in Bayardo's suitcase signify acceptance of past errors and the complexities of love.

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Description

Test your understanding of Chapter 4 from Gabriel Garcia Marquez's 'Chronicle of a Death Foretold' with these flashcards. Explore key themes and character actions, particularly focusing on the autopsy and the roles of Father Carmen Amador and the mayor. These insights will deepen your comprehension of the chapter's significance.