Saragossa · Chapter
XII explained
The chapter opens with a violent confrontation between Don José de Montoria and Candiola over flour for the besieged city.
What happens
The chapter opens with a violent confrontation between Don José de Montoria and Candiola over flour for the besieged city. Montoria accuses Candiola of hoarding resources and being unpatriotic, while Candiola refuses to sell at the official price. The argument escalates into a physical struggle, with Montoria ultimately prevailing and seizing the flour. Mariquilla, Candiola's daughter, appears and defiantly throws the payment money back at Montoria before rescuing her father from the mob. The chapter then shifts to a conversation between Don Araceli and Doña Leocadia, who discusses her son Augustine's military prowess and her hopes for his future as a priest, while also revealing the dire state of their home after bombardments.
Themes in this chapter
Heroic Resistance and Patriotism
Montoria's forceful requisition of flour and his accusations against Candiola highlight the intense patriotic fervor and the expectation of sacrifice for the city's defense.
Social Class and Prejudice
The conflict between Montoria and Candiola is framed by class and social standing, with Montoria representing the patriotic elite and Candiola the miserly, isolated outsider.
Family Honor and Duty
Mariquilla's act of throwing the money back at Montoria is a defense of her family's honor, while Doña Leocadia's concern for her son Augustine reflects the duty of family to the cause.
Characters to notice
- Don José de Montoria
Confronts Candiola over flour, physically assaults him, and seizes the goods. Shows his patriotic fervor and willingness to use force.
- Candiola
Refuses to sell flour at the official price, is accused of being a traitor and a miser, and is physically attacked by Montoria and the mob.
- Mariquilla Candiola
Defiantly throws the payment money at Montoria, showing her dignity and loyalty to her father, and rescues him from the crowd.
- Augustine Montoria
Present during the confrontation but disappears at the climax. His mother discusses his bravery in battle and her hopes for his future as a priest.
- Don Araceli
Narrator of the events, witnesses the confrontation, and later helps Doña Leocadia with repairs to her home.
- Doña Leocadia Sarriera
Discusses her son Augustine's military actions and her hopes for his future in the church, while managing the damage to her home.
Key passages
“Miserable pig, is there not in your black and empty soul one spark of patriotism?”
Montoria calls Candiola a worthless person lacking any sense of love for his country.
Shows the intense moral pressure and accusation of treason leveled at those who did not fully support the war effort.
“I will pay you forty-eight reales per sack—its price before the siege.”
Montoria offers to pay the pre-siege price for the flour, which is far below the current inflated value.
Illustrates the economic pressures of the siege and the government's attempt to control prices, leading to conflict with private citizens.
“Montoria, Montorilla, you have a little dough in your own house, isn’t that true?”
Candiola accuses Montoria of hypocrisy, suggesting that he also has flour stored for himself.
Highlights the accusations of corruption and self-interest that existed even among the city's leaders.