La defensa del honor - Los códigos de honor en Crónica de una muerte anunciada y La ciudad y los perros

Författare

Max Englund

Summary, in English

This thesis studies the ways in which the concept of honor is presented in the novels The Time of the Hero (1962) by Mario Vargas Llosa and Chronicle of a Death Foretold (1981) by Gabriel García Márquez. After defining what honor is, an investigation of how this concept is presented in the novels and the role it plays in these two literary works will take place. Also, the portrayal of honor in the novels will be compared, investigating what similarities or differences can be found in regards to this matter. In the analysis it is confirmed that honor is a multifaceted concept that can vary from case to case, a fact that can be observed in the differences between the two works and also in how it can appear in different forms throughout a sole work. This thesis stresses that the explicit portrayal of honor in Chronicle of a Death Foretold illuminates the importance of assuming certain roles to in such a way be able to fulfill the ideals of how one ought to be and act to maintain his/her honor. In The Time of the Hero, the cadets find themselves obligated to fulfill the honor codes imposed by the military. However, not only do they adapt to this violent perspective but what is more, they create another culture in which the honor codes demand even more virility and where weakness is perceived with repugnance. This thesis discusses the differences between the masculine and feminine honor codes and the obligations that they bring, confirming that they have in common that the group pressure to a considerable extent affects the behavior of the individuals subjected to it.

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