# The Sap-engro and the Gypsy Encounter explained — Lavengro

> Chapter companion for Lavengro by George Borrow.

## What happens

The narrator wanders into a green lane and encounters a group of Romani people, including a man, a woman, and their son Jasper. They mistake him for a goblin or devilkin, but soon recognize him as a 'sap-engro' (snake catcher). The narrator demonstrates his reading ability, impressing the man. A mysterious horseman named Nat arrives, exchanges bags of money with the man, and departs hastily. The Romani pack up and leave, but Jasper lingers to bid farewell, calling the narrator 'brother.' The chapter ends with the narrator reflecting on the strange people.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Gypsy and the Outsider

The narrator encounters a Romani family, who are portrayed as outsiders with their own language, customs, and suspicion of strangers.

### Adventure and Roving

The chapter captures the spirit of wandering and chance encounters, as the narrator stumbles upon the Romani camp in a green lane.

## Character check-ins

### Lavengro

The young narrator, wandering in a green lane, encounters a Romani family and is mistaken for a goblin or sap-engro.

### Jasper Petulengro

The son of the Romani man, a lad of twelve or thirteen, who initially questions the narrator's boxing ability but later calls him 'brother' and bids farewell.

### The Landlord

Not present in this chapter.

### The Flaming Tinman

Not present in this chapter.

### Belle

Not present in this chapter.

### Isopel Berners

Not present in this chapter.

## Key lines

> somewhat hesitatingly, "so you are not one of them there, after all?" Myself . One of them there? I don't know what you mean. Man . Why, we have been thinking you were a goblin⁠—a devilkin! However, I see how it is: you are a sap-engro , a chap who catches snakes, and plays tricks with them!

The Romani man, initially suspicious, realizes the narrator is not a supernatural being but a snake catcher, and invites him to join their group.

_The man's shift from fear to recognition highlights the Romani's superstitious nature and their practical view of the narrator's skills._

> I say, Jasper, here's a young sap-engro that can read, and is more fly than yourself. Shake hands with him; I wish ye to be two brothers.

The man introduces the narrator to his son Jasper, praising the boy's cleverness and literacy, and proposes a brotherly bond between them.

_This moment establishes a connection between the narrator and Jasper, foreshadowing their future relationship._

> Goodbye, Sap, I dare say we shall meet again, remember we are brothers, two gentle brothers.

Jasper bids farewell to the narrator, affirming their bond as 'brothers' and hinting at a future reunion.

_Jasper's parting words reinforce the theme of kinship and the enduring nature of their encounter._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lavengro_se/chapters/v
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lavengro_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lavengro_se/chapters