# XX: The Arbiter explained — El Filibusterismo > Chapter companion for El Filibusterismo by José Rizal. ## What happens This chapter introduces Don Custodio, a Spanish official in Manila who holds various titles and is known for his self-importance and conservative views. Despite his initial liberal ideals after a year in Madrid, he becomes disillusioned and returns to the Philippines with a desire to reform it. However, his projects are often impractical and met with opposition. The chapter focuses on his dilemma regarding the students' petition for an Academy of Castilian, which he has been delaying. After reminiscing over his many projects, he suddenly decides to approve the petition by having the Augustinian padres take charge of the School of Arts and Trades. ## Themes in this chapter ### Social Injustice and Corruption Don Custodio's self-serving behavior, his use of his position for personal benefit, and his manipulation of projects for his own glory exemplify the corruption and injustice within the colonial system. ### Hypocrisy of Religious Institutions The chapter shows how the conventos (religious orders) influence Don Custodio's decision by increasing their gifts, revealing the hypocrisy and political maneuvering of the church. ### Education and Enlightenment The students' petition for an Academy of Castilian and Don Custodio's eventual decision to involve the Augustinian padres in the School of Arts and Trades highlight the struggle for educational reform and enlightenment in the Philippines. ## Character check-ins ### Don Custodio The central figure of the chapter, a Spanish official who prides himself on his liberal ideas but is often impractical and self-serving. He is shown deliberating over the students' petition and ultimately makes a decision. ### Ben Zayb Mentioned as a recipient of Don Custodio's opinions about the native Filipinos, particularly regarding the Arabic origin of their culture. ### Pepay Referenced briefly in Don Custodio's thoughts, as he recalls her pirouettes while trying to focus on his decision. ## Key lines > Don Custodio made his dignity felt and got from it all the benefit possible, often frowning, making his voice impressive, coughing out his words, often taking up the whole session telling a story, presenting a project, or disputing with a colleague who had placed himself in open opposition to him. Don Custodio used his authority to its fullest, frequently dominating meetings with dramatic gestures, lengthy stories, and arguments against anyone who disagreed with him. _This illustrates Don Custodio's self-importance and his tendency to use his position for personal aggrandizement._ > He marveled, he stormed, that his projects should encounter objectors, but consoled himself with the reflection that the man who is worth enemies has them, and revenged himself by attacking and tearing to pieces any project, good or bad, presented by others. He was astonished and angered that his ideas faced opposition, but he comforted himself by thinking that a worthy person always has enemies, and he retaliated by criticizing and destroying any proposal made by others, regardless of its merit. _This highlights Don Custodio's hypocrisy and his tendency to undermine others while expecting his own ideas to be accepted without question._ > Suddenly he slapped his forehead and arched his eyebrows, while a look of triumph overspread his face. 'I have reached a decision!' he cried with an oath that was not exactly eureka. He suddenly had a breakthrough, slapping his forehead and raising his eyebrows with a triumphant expression, exclaiming that he had made a decision, though his exclamation was more colorful than the classic 'eureka.' _This moment shows Don Custodio's dramatic and self-congratulatory nature as he arrives at a solution to the students' petition._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xx-the-arbiter - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/el_filibusterismo_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters