Noli Me Tangere · Chapter
The Derrick explained
During the cornerstone-laying ceremony for Ibarra's school project, the alcalde delivers a grand speech praising Spain, the friars, and the Catholic religion.
What happens
During the cornerstone-laying ceremony for Ibarra's school project, the alcalde delivers a grand speech praising Spain, the friars, and the Catholic religion. Ibarra, the alcalde, Padre Salví, and others each place a trowelful of mortar on the stone. When Ibarra finally descends alone to complete the task, the derrick collapses, killing the yellowish individual operating the windlass. Ibarra survives unharmed, and many interpret his escape as a miracle. The alcalde orders the foreman arrested, but Ibarra secures his release. Rumors of a divine intervention spread, while old Tasio mutters about a bad beginning.
Themes in this chapter
Colonial Oppression and Abuse of Power
The alcalde's speech glorifies Spanish rule and the friars, while the death of an 'Indian' is dismissed as unimportant; the alcalde orders arrests without evidence.
Religious Hypocrisy and Clerical Corruption
Padre Salví's trembling voice and lack of joy at the miracle suggest his unease; the rumor of a Franciscan figure descending during the collapse hints at manipulation of popular piety.
Social Injustice and Class Division
The dead man is referred to as 'only an Indian' and his life is treated as expendable; the fiesta continues despite his death, highlighting the devaluation of native lives.
Characters to notice
- Crisóstomo Ibarra
Survives the collapse of the derrick; refuses to place the first trowelful, then reluctantly does so; secures the foreman's release.
- Padre Salví
Performs the ceremony with a trembling voice; offers the trowel to the escribano instead of María Clara; seems to rejoice little over the miracle.
- María Clara
Refuses the trowel offered by the escribano; faints into her friends' arms after seeing Ibarra alive.
- Elías
Watches the ceremony disguised in a salakot and rough attire; gives Ibarra a significant wink recalling his earlier warning.
- Capitan Tiago
Arrives with the gilded cluster of maidens; participates in the ceremony by placing mortar.
- Old Tasio
Observes the event from a distance and comments 'A bad beginning, huh!' as he moves away.
Key passages
“I should be a Juan Palomo, to prepare the meal and eat it myself.”
I would be like Juan Palomo, who cooks the food and then eats it all himself.
Ibarra uses a Spanish proverb to politely decline placing the first trowelful, implying it would be self-serving.
“The dead man is only an Indian!”
The deceased is merely a native Filipino.
A Spanish employee dismisses the death of the yellowish individual, reflecting the colonial dehumanization of indigenous people.
“A bad beginning, huh!”
This is an ominous start, isn't it?
Old Tasio's parting comment foreshadows future troubles for Ibarra's school project.