How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"I felt that I was the one who was going to die," my sister said. "But no matter how much they tossed the story back and forth, no one could explain to me how poor Santiago Nasar ended up being involved in such a mix-up." The only thing they knew for sure was that Angela Vicario's brothers were waiting for him to kill him. (1.38)
This is the narrator's sister, Margot, talking about her own reaction to the news that Angela was not a virgin. Her response tells us all we need to know about how serious Angela's crime is. She's not even involved, but she knows that the Vicarios are not going to treat such an assault to their honor lightly.
Quote #2
Even when it was less than two months before she would be married, Pura Vicario wouldn't let her go out alone with Bayardo San Roman to see the house where they were going to live, but she and the blind father accompanied her to watch over her honor. (2.38)
In case you missed it, a woman's honor is her virginity. And a man's honor is the virginity of the women in his family, we guess?
Quote #3
"Just imagine," she told me. "I would have been happy even if he hadn't come, but never if he abandoned me dressed up." Her caution seemed natural, because there was no public misfortune more shameful than for a woman to be jilted in her bridal gown. (2.43)
Which is worse? To be returned home for having premarital sex, or to be jilted at the altar? We're not sure. But even though Angela has lost all respect according to the rules in society, she still has some self-confidence that she won't let Bayardo San Román ruin.