# The Eleventh Day: The Breach explained — Saragossa

> Chapter companion for Saragossa by Benito Pérez Galdós.

## What happens

At dawn, Augustine and Montoria prepare for a bombardment. The French attack San José and the Pilar redoubt. After hours of fighting, the defenders of the Pilar redoubt momentarily flee in panic, but Manuela Sancho's heroic advance rallies them to defend the breach. The redoubt holds, and Palafox's words inspire the defenders.

## Themes in this chapter

### Heroic Resistance and Patriotism

The defenders' initial panic and subsequent rally, inspired by Manuela Sancho, exemplifies the theme of heroic resistance and patriotism.

### War and Dehumanization

The brutal bombardment, the use of corpses to fill the breach, and the dehumanizing effect of fear highlight the dehumanizing nature of war.

### Survival and Human Endurance

The defenders endure relentless artillery, face death, and yet find the strength to continue fighting, showcasing human endurance.

## Character check-ins

### Augustine Montoria

Narrator and defender at the redoubt; witnesses the panic and rally.

### Don José de Montoria

Visits the redoubt, embraces his son, and declares 'Today is the day to conquer or to die.'

### Manuela Sancho

Heroically advances to the breach, rallying the fleeing defenders.

### Juan Pirli

Wounded in the leg, exclaims in fright at Manuela Sancho's advance.

### Don Roque

Present at the redoubt, engaged in sanitary service, showing feverish activity.

### Renovales

Commands the defense of San José fortress.

### Palafox

Captain-General; later delivers a stirring speech.

## Key lines

> The Saragossans, despising material good as they despised life, lived by their spirits in the infinite spaces of the ideal.

The people of Saragossa valued honor and spirit over material possessions and even life itself.

_Highlights the patriotic and idealistic mindset of the defenders._

> There is nothing more frenzied than a coward. His abject meannesses are as great as the sublimities of his valor.

A coward's fear is as extreme as a brave person's courage.

_Reflects on the sudden shift from panic to bravery._

> Nor balls, nor bombs, nor shells shall make our faces change color, nor can all France accomplish that!

Neither cannonballs, bombs, nor shells will frighten us, and all of France cannot defeat us.

_Palafox's defiant speech after the successful defense._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/saragossa_se/chapters/x
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/saragossa_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/saragossa_se/chapters