# II: Draco the Great explained — Penguin Island

> Chapter companion for Penguin Island by Anatole France.

## What happens

This chapter recounts the reign of King Draco the Great, a warlike Penguin king known for his destructive campaigns and rigorous justice, and details the translation of the relics of St. Orberosia to the cathedral of Alca. It describes the origins of her cult, the miracles attributed to her, the decline of her sanctuary during troubled times, and its restoration after her apparition to a peasant named Momordic.

## Themes in this chapter

### Satire of Religion

The chapter satirizes the credulity surrounding saintly apparitions, relic worship, and the commercialization of miracles, as seen in the story of Orberosia's cult.

### Critique of War and Nationalism

Draco the Great is portrayed as a 'great captain' due to his constant defeats and destructive policies, mocking the glorification of war and national honor.

### Human Folly and Vanity

The absurdity of Draco's justice and the superstitious devotion to Orberosia's relics highlight human folly and vanity.

## Character check-ins

### Orberosia

The virgin saint whose relics are transferred to Alca by Draco the Great; she appears to a peasant to demand restoration of her sanctuary.

### Draco the Great

King of Penguinia who orders the translation of St. Orberosia's relics and is described as a warlike and destructive ruler.

### Brian the Good

Mentioned as the predecessor whose direct posterity ended with Collic of the Short Nose.

### Saint Maël

Not directly appearing, but the chapter continues the historical narrative of Penguinia from earlier chapters.

## Key lines

> War without fire is like tripe without mustard: it is an insipid thing.

War without burning is as bland as tripe without mustard.

_Draco the Great's justification for his destructive warfare, highlighting the satirical critique of militarism._

> I am the virgin Orberosia, said she to him; I have chosen thee to restore my sanctuary.

The virgin Orberosia told the peasant Momordic that she had selected him to rebuild her sanctuary.

_The apparition of St. Orberosia, which leads to the restoration of her cult._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/penguin_island_se/chapters/ii-draco-the-great
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/penguin_island_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/penguin_island_se/chapters