# Captain Ramón Writes a Letter explained — The Mark of Zorro

> Chapter companion for The Mark of Zorro by Johnston McCulley.

## What happens

After being humiliated by Zorro at Don Diego Vega's door, Captain Ramón returns to the presidio, seething with rage. Unable to pursue Zorro immediately due to a lack of soldiers, he decides to write a letter to the governor, falsely implicating Don Carlos Pulido and his daughter Lolita as collaborators with Zorro. He also hints at a wealthy family wavering in loyalty, aiming to incite the governor's wrath against the Pulidos and possibly the Vegas. Ramón sends the letter by courier, then reads his copy, plotting revenge against Lolita for rejecting him.

## Themes in this chapter

### Justice and Injustice

Ramón's false letter to the governor represents a perversion of justice, using official channels to persecute innocent people for personal revenge.

### Persecution and Oppression

Ramón's plot to frame the Pulidos and hint at the Vegas' disloyalty exemplifies the oppressive use of power by the colonial authorities against perceived enemies.

## Character check-ins

### Captain Ramón

Furious after Zorro's humiliation, he writes a deceitful letter to the governor to frame the Pulidos and hint at the Vegas' disloyalty.

### Señorita Lolita Pulido

Mentioned in Ramón's letter as showing admiration for Zorro and sneering at the soldiers, which Ramón uses to incriminate her family.

### Don Carlos Pulido

Falsely accused by Ramón of harboring Zorro and hindering the pursuit, further endangering his family.

### Señor Zorro

The object of Ramón's wrath; Ramón mistakenly believes Zorro has fled, but Zorro has not left the area.

### Don Diego Vega

Mentioned as the wealthy family Ramón hints at in his letter, implying wavering loyalty to the governor.

## Key lines

> Picking himself up out of the dust before Don Diego Vega's door, Captain Ramón darted through the darkness to the footpath that ran up the slope toward the presidio.

After being knocked down at Don Diego's doorstep, Captain Ramón scrambled up and hurried through the dark to the path leading to the presidio.

_Shows Ramón's immediate flight after Zorro's humiliation._

> He could have his revenge for the flouting the daughter of Don Carlos Pulido had given him.

He could get back at Lolita Pulido for the way she had scorned him.

_Reveals Ramón's motive for writing the letter._

> I may mention that I was hindered somewhat by this Don Carlos in pursuing the man.

I should note that Don Carlos obstructed my pursuit of the man.

_Ramón's false accusation in the letter._

## Links

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