Saragossa · Chapter
XV explained
In this chapter, the secret love between Augustine Montoria and Mariquilla Candiola deepens as they meet in the garden of the Candiola house.
What happens
In this chapter, the secret love between Augustine Montoria and Mariquilla Candiola deepens as they meet in the garden of the Candiola house. Mariquilla recounts the humiliation of her father at the hands of a mob, and her own fierce reaction, while Augustine expresses his unwavering love and hope for a miracle to unite them despite the social barriers. Their intimate conversation is interrupted by the alarm of a bomb, and the chapter closes with the sound of Candiola's voice approaching, threatening to discover them.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Sacrifice
The love between Augustine and Mariquilla is portrayed as a force that defies social barriers and personal danger, with both willing to sacrifice for each other.
Social Class and Prejudice
Mariquilla's lament about her father's abhorred status and the social ostracism she faces highlights the deep class divisions and prejudices in Saragossa.
Characters to notice
- Augustine Montoria
Meets Mariquilla secretly, declares his love, and comforts her after the mob's attack on her father.
- Mariquilla Candiola
Describes the mob's assault on her father and her own violent impulse to defend him; shares her fears and hopes with Augustine.
- Candiola
He is heard approaching at the end of the chapter, and his harsh voice is mentioned.
- Doña Guedita
Mentioned as being present in the house, and she disappears during the lovers' meeting.
Key passages
“Let us hope for help from the unseen, and filled by faith in God and the power of our love, let us wait for the miracle which will unite us.”
We should trust in divine intervention and the strength of our love to bring us together, even though it seems impossible.
Augustine expresses his hope for a miracle to overcome the social obstacles.
“I swear to you that the strength of my love is more immovable than the equilibrium of yonder tower; for that could fall to the ground, but could never stand upright.”
My love is as unchangeable as the leaning tower; it will never become straight, just as my love will never waver.
Augustine uses a metaphor to emphasize the constancy of his love.