Chronicles of a Death Foretold

Roles Of Women In Chronicles Of A Death Foretold

In chronicles of a death foretold, women must live up to the expectations of their society. They are depicted to uphold their duties, such as cleaning, cooking and raising children. Women are mistreated in this novel because they are imperfect. In this novel if a woman lose her virginity before marriage they are considered impure and are not eligible for marriage. Angela embodies an ideal woman because she has all of the characteristics of a capable wife. Angela’s mother taught her how to do screen embroidery, sew by machine, wash, iron, and write wedding announcements. She basically was raised to be a good house wife. Since Angela was knowledgeable in such manners, her mother claimed that “any man will be happy with Angela because she was raised to suffer. Because Angela Vicario was born a girl, they are certain expectations she must meet. She is expected to live under the control of her family and "the rigor of a mother of iron." (p. 37) Angela is expected to keep herself "pure" innocent of the touch of men, until the time at which she is expected to marry, the point that will end her girlhood and at which she will begin the life of a woman.

Angela is an idyllic female in her culture because she has satisfied the expectations of what a woman should be like in her society. Women needs to remain pure in order to marry. However, Angela does not uphold her expectation, she lost her virginity before marriage, and therefore she violated the system that the society lives by. but still attempts to appear a virgin so that she can fit into society. Unfortunately in this society if a woman does not learn her duties as a wife, she cannot provide for a family, and therefore cannot exist in the society. Women in this novel needs to remain pure in order to marry. However, Angela does not uphold her expectation, but still attempts to appear a virgin so that she can fit into society. In order to maintain a pure image,...