The Use of Birds in Chronical of a Death Foretold by...

In the novel, Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, birds are used as motifs intentionally in the imagery of scenes to convey sentiments, ideas and messages to the reader. Some of the roles taken by the symbolism of birds include indicating signs of the future and afterlife, supporting character portrayal and development throughout the text. The symbolism of birds is discussed in the essay because the recurring images of birds have a pertinent significance to the novella. In literature, birds are commonly viewed as signs of freedom while in flight, yet while they are entrapped in cages, they symbolize the struggle for freedom. Gabriel Garcia’s usage of birds has both common and uncommon roles in the novel. The birds†¦show more content†¦Santiago â€Å"seemed happy with his father until the latter died suddenly, three years before,† (Marquez 7). In this sense, the dream about floating â€Å"through a grove of timber trees where a gentle drizzle was falling, [†¦] but [†¦] he awoke [†¦] spattered with bird shit,† (Marquez 3) ties into Santiago’s life. The birds hold significance in this passage in the metaphor comparing â€Å"bird shit† to life-ruining events. The reader learns more about Santiago when the narrator reveals that Nasar gained â€Å"the good arts of valor and prudence† (7) from his father and is a â€Å"merry, peaceful, and openhearted† (8) individual. Furthermore, Sa ntiago is an aggressive wealthy individual that is compared to â€Å"a sparrow hawk [†¦] just like his father, nipping the bud of any wayward virgin who began showing up in those woods,† (90). In the text, falcons are associated with entertainment and displaying one’s status of wealth, and the opening quote by Gil Vicente, â€Å"the pursuit of love is like falconry† (1) compares the persistent nature of pursuing love to the recreational activity of hunting with falcons. Subsequently, the reader becomes aware of Santiago’s innocence and naivety. Nahir Miguel reveals to the narrator that Santiago â€Å"looked like a little wet bird,† (114). Because Marquez specifically chose a bird as the animal for this image, the birds must hold a certain importance to the