Pablo de Segovia, the Spanish Sharper · Chapter
VII explained
Pablo receives a letter from his uncle Alonso Ramplón, the executioner, informing him of his father's brave death by hanging and his mother's imprisonment by the Inquisition for witchcraft.
What happens
Pablo receives a letter from his uncle Alonso Ramplón, the executioner, informing him of his father's brave death by hanging and his mother's imprisonment by the Inquisition for witchcraft. Don Diego is ordered by his father to leave the university and part with Pablo. Pablo decides to leave for Segovia to claim his inheritance and avoid his disreputable family.
Themes in this chapter
Poverty and Desperation
Pablo's family disgrace and his decision to seek his inheritance reflect the desperation of his social standing.
Satire of Hypocrisy
The uncle's proud account of the father's execution and the mother's Inquisition trial satirize societal and religious hypocrisy.
Characters to notice
- Pablo de Segovia
Receives news of his father's death and mother's imprisonment; decides to leave Don Diego and travel to Segovia.
- Don Diego Coronel
Receives a letter from his father ordering him to leave the university and part with Pablo.
- Alonso Ramplón
Pablo's uncle, the executioner, who writes to Pablo with news of his father's death and mother's imprisonment.
Key passages
“Son Pablo, The great affairs of this employment in the which it has pleased his majesty to place me, have been the occasion of my not writing to you before; for if there be anything to find fault with in the king’s service, it is the great trouble and attendance it requires; which, however, is in some measure requited by the honour of being his servant.”
Uncle Alonso writes that his duties as executioner have kept him busy, but the honor of serving the king compensates for the trouble.
The uncle's letter introduces the news of Pablo's father's death.
“I must confess, I was much troubled at this fresh disgrace, and yet, in some measure, I was glad of it, for the scandalous lives of parents make their greatest misfortunes a comfort to their children.”
Pablo admits he is both troubled and somewhat relieved by his parents' disgrace, as it frees him from their shame.
Pablo's conflicted feelings about his family's scandal.
“Sir, the case is altered; I have other designs in my head, and aim at greater matters, so that I must take another course; for though hitherto I was at the foot of the ladder, in order to mount, you must understand that my father has got up to the top of it.”
Pablo tells Don Diego that his plans have changed; he now aims for higher things, as his father has been hanged (reached the top of the ladder).
Pablo's decision to leave Don Diego and pursue his own path.