Gil Blas · Chapter
II explained
Gil Blas sets out from Oviedo on his mule, counting his forty ducats with joy.
What happens
Gil Blas sets out from Oviedo on his mule, counting his forty ducats with joy. On the road, he is frightened by a fake maimed soldier who extorts small change. Arriving at Pegnaflor, he stays at an inn run by the talkative Andrew Corcuelo. A flattering stranger, a parasite, joins him for supper, devours the omelets, and Gil Blas is later cheated by the landlord and the parasite, losing much of his money. He resolves to continue his journey with a muleteer.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearance
Gil Blas is deceived by the fake soldier on the road and later by the flattering parasite at the inn, highlighting how appearances mask deceit.
Fortune and Fate
Gil Blas's initial joy at his fortune quickly turns to misfortune as he is cheated, illustrating the fickle nature of luck.
Characters to notice
- Gil Blas
Travels from Oviedo to Pegnaflor, counts his ducats, is tricked by a false soldier, and later duped by a parasite and the innkeeper.
- Andrew Corcuelo
The talkative innkeeper at Pegnaflor who flatters Gil Blas and later overcharges him.
Key passages
“I dropped the rein, and taking out my ducats, began to count them backwards and forwards in my hat. I was out of my wits for joy, never having seen such a sum of money before, and could not help looking at it and sifting it through my fingers.”
Gil Blas let the mule wander while he repeatedly counted his forty ducats in his hat, overjoyed at possessing so much money.
Shows Gil Blas's naive delight in his newfound wealth.
“I stopped short, made sure of my ducats, and taking out a little small change, as I rode by the hat, placed to receive the charity of those quiet subjects who had not the courage to refuse it, dropped in my contribution in detail, to convince the soldier how nobly I dealt by him.”
Fearing the soldier's carbine, Gil Blas gave small coins to the hat, hoping to satisfy the robber and escape safely.
Illustrates Gil Blas's fear and the threat of highway robbery.
“My admirer was very clever in my eyes, and I asked him to supper on the strength of it.”
Gil Blas, flattered by the stranger's praise, invited him to share a meal.
Highlights Gil Blas's vanity and inexperience, leading to his being cheated.