Chronicle of a Death Foretold Lesson Plan

Who performs Santiago's autopsy? Why? What is ironic about it?

With Dr. Dionisio Iguarán out of town, the mayor asks Father Amador to perform Santiago's autopsy. Although he didn't graduate, the priest attended medical school in Salamanca before entering the seminary. He is assisted in the procedure by the town druggist. The autopsy is described as a second death by Santiago's mother; it is rudimentary and so horrific it causes the mayor to become a vegetarian after he sees the body. The irony lies in the fact that the entire town knows how Santiago Nasar died, an autopsy is not necessary. It can be seen as a gesture to make the townspeople feel better about their...