Captain Corelli’s Mandolin: Chapter 16 Summary & Analysis

Pelagia records her letters to Mandras. In the first, she wonders if he's not getting her letters or if his replies just aren't getting through. She's written to him every day. Pelagia is terrified that Mandras is dead, and begs him to write so that she knows he's alive. She asks if he received the sweater and the scarf she made and describes how things are at home. She tells Mandras that she has her derringer and that already the women have learned to perform tasks that men once did. The news from the front is often positive.

Pelagia continues that Dr. Iannis, Stamatis, and Kokolios have banded together to praise the military and Metaxas despite their differing political views. Italian residents have been beaten. She says she's decided to make her own dowry and so has begun a crocheted bedcover. She also wants to make Mandras a waistcoat. She mentions that the Italians bombed Corfu on Christmas Day and implores him to write to Drosoula, as she's very worried.

Pelagia begins her next letter by saying she's becoming accustomed to Mandras not replying. For St. Basil's Day, Dr. Iannis got her a book of political writings and poems, and the lucky coin ended up in her piece of cake. She's begun the waistcoat and is still picking out her bedcover. News from the front says that the Greeks are taking down Mussolini, but Metaxas apparently isn't well. She again asks him to write to Drosoula.

Pelagia begins her hundredth letter to Mandras. She's glad that she hasn't seen his name on the list of the dead. Metaxas is dead and Dr. Iannis cut off his moustache so he doesn't look anything like Hitler. Everyone is hungry and it's been stormy and cold. The waistcoat is nearly finished, but Psipsina vomited on the bedcover and the goat ate a few bites of it.