# XXI explained — Saragossa > Chapter companion for Saragossa by Benito Pérez Galdós. ## What happens The chapter describes the brutal house-to-house fighting in Saragossa, focusing on the defense of the San Augustine monastery and the adjacent houses. The narrator, Araceli, and his friend Pirli are promoted to sergeants and join the Estremadura battalion. They engage in fierce combat, recapturing houses from the French. Amidst the chaos, Araceli encounters Mariquilla and her father Candiola, who have taken refuge. Augustine Montoria is wounded in the arm. The chapter highlights the overwhelming casualties, the scarcity of supplies, and the growing apathy and indifference to death among the besieged. ## Themes in this chapter ### War and Dehumanization The chapter vividly portrays the dehumanizing effects of war, as the besieged become accustomed to piles of dead bodies and indifferent to the suffering of the wounded, focusing only on survival. ### Survival and Human Endurance The defenders and civilians endure extreme deprivation, fighting for every room and house, sharing scarce resources like water and sardines, and continuing to resist despite overwhelming casualties. ### Heroic Resistance and Patriotism The chapter showcases the heroic, if desperate, resistance of the Spanish defenders, including the Estremadura battalion and citizens like Manuela Sancho, as they fight to retake buildings from the French. ## Character check-ins ### Augustine Montoria Mentioned as having been promoted to lieutenant for his gallantry; later found wounded in the arm after the fighting. ### Mariquilla Candiola Found taking refuge in a house with her father; expresses fear and thirst amidst the battle. ### Candiola Also taking refuge; protests when Araceli takes one of his cups to give water to Mariquilla. ### Juan Pirli Araceli's friend, promoted to second sergeant; shares his meager rations and comments on the scarcity of provisions. ### Don Araceli The narrator; promoted to first sergeant and participates in the defense of the San Augustine monastery. ### Manuela Sancho Carries water for the wounded and reports on the progress of the fighting. ## Key lines > There came a time when a sort of impassibility, a dreadful apathy, began to take possession of the besieged. We became used to the sight of a heap of dead bodies, as if they were so many sacks of wool. The defenders grew numb and indifferent, viewing the many corpses as commonplace as bundles of wool. _Highlights the psychological toll and dehumanization caused by the prolonged siege._ > “Since we have not the luck to be in Las Mónicas,” said Pirli to me, “we will, today, give ourselves the pleasure of defending until death the four walls of Saint Augustine.” Pirli jokes that since they missed the fight at Las Mónicas, they will now have the 'pleasure' of dying while defending the San Augustine monastery. _Shows the dark humor and fatalism of the soldiers facing near-certain death._ > “No pushing, no scrambling, señors!” said Manuela, laughing. “There is water enough for all. Our side is winning.” Manuela Sancho cheerfully tells the wounded to stop fighting over the water she brings, assuring them there is enough and that the Spanish are winning. _Illustrates the resilience and spirit of the civilian population amidst the chaos._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/saragossa_se/chapters/xxi - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/saragossa_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/saragossa_se/chapters