In Chronicle of a Death Foretold, the theme of honor is the one that presents itself throughout the novel by having a major role in the plot. In a small town in Colombia, honor is taken very seriously. Angela Vicario, a newlywed, is sent back to her family because her virginity is not intact. When her twin brothers discover their sister's dishonorable actions, they set out to murder the man they believe to be guilty. “On the other hand, the fact that Angela Vicario dared to put on the veil and orange blossoms without being a virgin would then be interpreted as a profanation of the symbols of purity” (Márquez 41). From the quote, it has been revealed at this point in the novel that Angela is not a virgin. As a bride in a small town, she is expected to be chaste, which is why she wears the veil and orange blossoms to represent the purity a bride should have. However, Angèle is not a virgin and dishonors the veil and orange blossoms by using them even though she is not known to be pure. Therefore, after this is revealed, the act is seen as a challenge to the glory of purity. However, overall, Angela is a disgrace to herself, especially in the small Colombian town where the novel takes place. Pura Vicario, Angela's mother, did not let the young girl take her eyes off Bayardo San Roman, her fiancé, to "watch over her honor" (Márquez 37). Angela's two confidants say that the linen sheet on the bed would be enough to show Bayardo that she was a virgin if she herself stained it with something representing the blood of lost purity. If she followed the advice of her friends, then "on her first morning as a newlywed, she could openly expose under the sun in the courtyard of her house the linen...... middle of paper..... . with. The author describes that the townspeople believe that as long as one legitimately justifies themselves by doing their actions with honor, they should do no harm. Pura protects her daughter from further shame by covering her in clothing that may not show mourning for her secret lover. In conclusion, the theme of honor affects the plot from beginning to end. All the characters are strongly influenced by it. Without careful construction of the theme by the author, the supposed justification for the murder of Santiago Nasar and other actions in the novel would be inapplicable and unnecessary. As the judge describes in his notes, “there should be the unhindered fulfillment of a death so clearly foretold” (Márquez 99). Works Cited Márquez, Gabriel. Chronicle of a death foretold. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., 1982. Print.