Saragossa · Chapter
XXV explained
The chapter depicts the aftermath of a battle, focusing on the Montoria family's grief.
What happens
The chapter depicts the aftermath of a battle, focusing on the Montoria family's grief. Manuel Montoria has been killed, and his young son is dying. Don José de Montoria, though devastated, insists on duty and sends his remaining son, Augustine, back to the lines. The scene is one of widespread death and suffering, with bodies piled in the streets. Candiola appears, attempting to profiteer by selling a chicken at an exorbitant price, leading to a confrontation with Gabriel and Don José, who pays the inflated price. The chapter highlights the dehumanizing effects of war and the stark contrast between heroic endurance and petty greed.
Themes in this chapter
Family Honor and Duty
Don José's insistence that Augustine return to the front, even after losing his eldest son, underscores the primacy of duty over personal grief and family bonds.
War and Dehumanization
The indifference of passersby to the Montoria family's grief, the use of corpses as a path, and the general hardening of hearts illustrate the dehumanizing impact of war.
Survival and Human Endurance
The chapter shows both the physical struggle for survival (finding food, shelter) and the emotional endurance of characters like Don José, who continues to function despite immense loss.
Social Class and Prejudice
Candiola's profiteering and Don José's willingness to pay his price highlight the social tensions and moral compromises that emerge under extreme hardship.
Characters to notice
- Augustine Montoria
Grieves for his brother Manuel but controls his grief to support his father. Is sent back to the front lines by his father.
- Don José de Montoria
Devastated by the death of his eldest son, Manuel, and the impending death of his grandson. Shows immense fortitude, prioritizing duty over personal grief. Pays Candiola's extortionate price for a chicken.
- Candiola
Attempts to profit from the Montoria family's tragedy by selling a chicken for a doubloon. Confronted by Gabriel but ultimately gets his price from Don José.
- Don Roque
A friend of the Montoria family, weeps for their loss and helps with practical matters, such as finding food.
- Gabriel
Narrator of the events, witnesses the Montoria family's grief and angrily confronts Candiola over his profiteering.
- Manuel Montoria
Killed in battle, his body is found and mourned by his family. His death is a central event of the chapter.
- Mariquilla Candiola
Mentioned by her father, who is angry that she was dressing Augustine's wound. She is taking refuge in a porch with other homeless people.
- Doña Leocadia Sarriera
In a state of unconsciousness and grief, holding the body of her grandson. Her condition is so severe that it seems she might also die.
Key passages
“Hearts were hardened, and souls seemed to have lost their most beautiful faculties, preserving nothing but a rude heroism.”
People had become emotionally numb, losing their compassion and finer feelings, and only a rough, basic courage remained.
This captures the dehumanizing effect of the prolonged siege.
“I have now no son, man, but you. If you die, what would be left me? But duty is first; and, before seeing thee a coward, I prefer to see thee bleeding like thy poor brother with thy temple pierced by the enemy's ball.”
Don José tells Augustine that he is his only remaining son, but that he would rather see him die honorably in battle than live as a coward.
This highlights the theme of family honor and duty over personal sentiment.
“Yesterday, I felt young; today, I am very old.”
Don José acknowledges that the grief and strain of the past day have aged him dramatically.
Shows the psychological toll of war and personal loss.
“This chicken is stolen! Come, you miserable miser, one would sell one's own cheaper!”
Gabriel accuses Candiola of having stolen the chicken and of being a miser for trying to sell it at such a high price.
Highlights the moral outrage at profiteering during a crisis.
