Captain Corelli’s Mandolin: Chapter 70 Summary & Analysis

By the time Iannis is five, he can say "hello" and "isn't he adorable?" in six languages because he spends so much time with Pelagia at the taverna. Alexi and Antonia, meanwhile, invest in building more apartments and opening souvenir shops in a number of towns. Iannis secretly keeps score of how many beautiful foreign women have kissed him. When Iannis is ten, Pelagia hires a bouzouki player named Spiridon. He plays with such spirit that even the stony-faced Germans dance. Both Pelagia and Iannis worship Spiridon; he reminds Pelagia of Corelli.

Secretly, Iannis wants to become one of the many young Greek men who entertain foreign girls and have lots of sex. He yearns for sexual maturity and notices that women love Spiridon, so one day he asks if Spiridon will teach him to play the bouzouki. Spiridon suggests that Iannis learn the mandolin, as Iannis isn't big enough to play the bouzouki. Both Antonia and Alexi agree to buy Iannis a mandolin in Athens or Naples when they're there next, but they promptly forget. Pelagia suggests that they dig up Corelli's old mandolin.

Alexi refuses to send construction workers to the old house, so Iannis pesters Spiridon to help him. They arrive at the site and look at the rusted communal oven, the broken stones, and the deserted village. Iannis explains that he comes here when he's angry or unhappy, and Spiridon points at the ancient olive tree. The two swing on a branch and then get to work in the rubble. Spiridon finds a used condom and attempts to sidestep a conversation about sex with Iannis. Over the next two days they clear a space over the trapdoor and Iannis starts a pile of treasures, including a photo of two "funny drunks" and a complete photo album.

Spiridon attempts to open the trapdoor but it won't budge. He realizes he'll need a crowbar when Velisarios, now 78, catches them. Iannis tells Velisarios what they're doing and notices that the old man has a red rose with him. Velisarios puts the rose by the olive tree and tells Iannis that under it is buried a huge Italian man. Iannis is exhilarated and secretly wants to dig up the skeleton, but Velisarios insists that Carlo deserves his rest. Spiridon expresses doubt that Velisarios can open the trapdoor, but Velisarios lifts it easily and leaves.

Everything inside is in perfect condition. Spiridon and Iannis find a German gramophone, a big crocheted bedcover, Italian writing, a rifle, and a beautiful mandolin missing a few strings. Spiridon tells Iannis that the mandolin is extremely valuable, but Iannis isn't paying attention. He waves around Mandras's rifle and pulls the trigger. Iannis is so surprised and scared when the gun goes off and kicks back into his forehead, he bursts into tears.