Santiago Nasar is the central character in Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s novel “Chronicle of a Death Foretold.” He is a wealthy, handsome young man who is brutally murdered in a small Colombian town. In this character analysis, we will examine the various aspects of Santiago’s personality, his relationships with other characters in the novel, and the ways in which his character serves to advance the themes of the story.
Physical Appearance and Social Standing: Santiago Nasar is described as a tall, well-built man with striking good looks. He is the son of a wealthy Arab immigrant who has built a successful business in the town. Santiago’s physical appearance and his family’s wealth give him a certain level of social standing in the community. He is admired by many of the townspeople, particularly the women, and is seen as a symbol of success and prosperity.
Personality: Santiago is portrayed as a carefree and somewhat reckless young man. He enjoys partying and socializing, and is known for his love of women. He is also depicted as somewhat naïve, and seems to be unaware of the danger that he is in when he is targeted for murder.
Relationships: Santiago has several important relationships in the novel, including his relationships with his mother, his fiancée, and the Vicario brothers who ultimately kill him.
Santiago’s mother is protective of her son and is deeply concerned about his safety. She believes that he is in danger on the day of his murder, and tries to warn him to stay home. Santiago, however, dismisses her concerns and goes out anyway.
Santiago is engaged to a woman named Flora Miguel. Their relationship is portrayed as somewhat distant, and it is clear that Santiago is not as committed to the relationship as Flora is. Nevertheless, Flora is deeply saddened by Santiago’s death and is one of the few characters in the novel who genuinely mourns his passing.
The Vicario brothers, who kill Santiago, are childhood friends of his. They claim that they are avenging the honor of their sister, who they believe has been dishonored by Santiago. It is unclear whether or not Santiago is actually guilty of the crime they accuse him of, but he does not deny the accusation and seems resigned to his fate.
Themes: Santiago Nasar’s character serves to advance several of the novel’s key themes. One of the central themes of the novel is the concept of fate and inevitability. Santiago’s murder is depicted as a foregone conclusion, with various characters throughout the novel predicting his death. Santiago himself seems to sense that he is in danger, but is unable to avoid his fate.
Another theme that is explored through Santiago’s character is the idea of societal pressure and conformity. The town in which Santiago lives is bound by strict social conventions and expectations. Santiago, as a member of the wealthy elite, is expected to behave in certain ways and conform to certain norms. His murder can be seen as a consequence of his failure to live up to these expectations.
Finally, Santiago’s character also highlights the role of gender and masculinity in the novel. The Vicario brothers’ decision to kill Santiago is based on their belief that he has dishonored their sister, and their actions are seen as an attempt to restore their family’s honor. Santiago’s own behavior, which is portrayed as somewhat reckless and promiscuous, can be seen as a challenge to traditional notions of masculinity and honor.
In conclusion, Santiago Nasar is a complex and multi-faceted character who serves to advance several of the key themes in “Chronicle of a Death Foretold.” Through his relationships, personality, and physical appearance, Santiago highlights the roles of fate, societal pressure, and gender in the novel.
