disorientation. In many ways, this structure reflects the discord that emerges from the subjective views of this society. Their laws deem that murder is justifiable when "honor" must be upheld; however, this abstract concept is difficult to quantify. Also consider how the nonlinear structure of the novel makes it difficult to determine whether Santiago was ever involved with Angela Vicario, which is the claim that ends his life. The narrator suspects that Angela's claims are false; when Nahir Miguel reveals to Santiago that the Vicario brothers are determined to kill him for defiling the honor of their sister, Santiago "turned pale and lost control in such a way that it was impossible to think that he was pretending."

You might also consider the jolting symbolism of flowers which is used throughout the novel. Angela Vicario, who seemingly falsely accuses Santiago of the "crime" against her, passes time by constructing flowers out of cloth. Pablo and Pedro Vicario name their pigs after flowers to provide some emotional distance between themselves and the creatures they plan to slaughter. Flora (the Spanish word for flower) is the one who finally warns Santiago of his imminent death. Santiago has often mentioned that the smell of flowers reminds him of death, and the day before his own funeral, he chillingly comments that he doesn't "want any flowers at [his] funeral." Flowers, which are typically symbolic of life and beauty, instead become symbols of death and malice; this unexpected association again reflects the disrupted nature of truth in this disjointed society.