Discussion

Read the book 《Chronicle of a Death Foretold》 Discussion： Double Standards and Power of the Sexes 1

In 200 words, please write your answer to the following topic in Chronicle of a Death Foretold:

In Chronicle of a Death Foretold, Garcia-Marquez describes situations where double standards exist among the sexes in a Colombian society steeped in customary rituals; "machismo" reigns, and power is owned exclusively by men and women have virtually none. Double standards are seen in many instances. For example, It is expected and widely accepted that men frequent brothels while women must remain virgin pure until marriage as seen through the characters of Santiago Nasar and Angela Vicario. Men and women are raised with different life expectations. Marquez writes: "The brothers were brought up to be men. The girls had been reared to get married. They knew how to do screen embroidery, sew by machine, weave bone lace, wash and iron, make artificial flowers and fancy candy, and write engagement announcements." Keeping women from a formal education and business opportunities insured that real power would be held by men over women and that change would be slow or even impossible for generations to come. Has time finally changed? Are women still victims of double standards and a blatant imbalance of power? Discuss whether you believe double standards still exist for women in the United States. Give specific examples to back up your position.

Theme identification and character analysis (some characters may not be human beings)

1. What is the main idea, message, or emotion expressed throughout the work?

2. What are the names of the characters, and what are the relationships between/among them?

3. What are their characteristics? (What are the characters like? In what light are they portrayed?)