# All Against Them explained — The Mark of Zorro

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

## What happens

Señor Zorro finds himself surrounded by three detachments of soldiers at dawn. He attempts to escape across the plaza but is cut off at every turn. Lolita Pulido, who had escaped from Fray Felipe's, rides to his side pursued by troopers. Together they break through the cordon, but her horse collapses at the tavern door. Zorro carries her inside, bars the door, and they prepare to fight to the death rather than be captured.

## Themes in this chapter

### Cowardice vs. Courage

Zorro and Lolita face overwhelming odds with defiant bravery, choosing to die fighting rather than surrender.

### Rebellion and Resistance

Zorro's desperate flight and Lolita's escape from Fray Felipe's embody active resistance against the corrupt authorities.

### Love and Romance

Lolita declares she would rather die with Zorro than be taken, and Zorro responds that he has given her his heart, sealing their bond in the face of death.

## Character check-ins

### Señor Zorro

Hemmed in by three bodies of troopers at dawn, he fights his way across the plaza and eventually takes refuge in the tavern with Lolita.

### Señorita Lolita Pulido

Rides to Zorro's aid pursued by half a dozen troopers; her horse collapses at the tavern, and she declares she would rather die with Zorro than be imprisoned again.

### Sergeant Pedro Gonzales

Leads one detachment of troopers down the trail from San Gabriel and shouts orders to cut off Zorro's escape.

### Captain Ramón

Implied as one of the officers whose rage the troopers fear; the governor and his host (likely Ramón) rush from the house shrieking that Zorro is a murderer.

## Key lines

> Señor Zorro found himself hemmed in by his foes.

Zorro realized he was completely surrounded by enemy soldiers.

_Describes the moment Zorro understands his perilous situation at dawn._

> Rather would I die with you!

Lolita would prefer death to being captured and imprisoned again.

_Lolita's declaration of solidarity and defiance._

> I have given you my heart, señor. Either we live together, or we die together!

Zorro tells Lolita that his love is absolute, binding their fates together.

_Zorro's romantic vow in the face of imminent death._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/chapters/xxxvi-all-against-them
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/chapters