Castelli 1
David Castelli
Mr. Marusevich
IB English 1, Period 7/8 Even
4 June 2013
Moral Deficiency
Gabriel Garcia Márquez, a renowned Columbian novelist, is regarded as a proficient writer on the cultural aspects within Columbian society. Recognized for his ability to depict certain societal features through day-to-day life, Márquez was enabled to become the celebrated author that he is today. His novella Chronicle of a Death Foretold, initially published in 1981, is an exemplar of this remarkable virtuosity. A key perspective that Márquez is able to accentuate is that there is a lack of accepted moral values within Columbian society. This is especially significant because it is essential in defining the repercussions of events that are explored throughout the novel.
Within the narrative, it is evident that Márquez criticizes the basic principles set by the Catholic Church. In doing so, he contradicts where someone's moral values actually derive from.
Religion plays an important role in determining the outcomes of this story. The townspeople of this Columbian society follow the doctrines established by Christianity. Father Amador, holding a high position as a well-respected religious figure, neglects to inform Santiago and even Santiago's mother, Placida, about the intended murder carried out by the Vicario brothers. "'The truth is I didn't know what to do'" (Garcia Márquez 70). This in itself displays the Father's rejection of moral values. Father Amador had intentions of telling Placida but the novel states that "he'd forgotten completely" because the Bishop arrived on that "unfortunate day." He also claims that it wasn't any of his business to get involved with the situation. Father Amador unequivocally had no right to not tell Placida about the planned murder of her son. He should have done everything in his power to avoid this proposed crime. In Father Amador's...