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14. A Student House
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in El Filibusterismo, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Colonialism and Identity
Violence vs. Nonviolence
Education and Freedom
Hypocrisy and Colonial Oppression
Summary
Analysis
Isagani arrives at Señor Pasta’s house and waits to be received. Pasta, absorbed in his work, finally notices Isagani and asks about his uncle, but he is clearly disquieted by Isagani’s explanation of his request. Pasta has already resolved to stay out of it; he also knows that Makaraig’s account is incorrect, and it was actually Sibyla who proposed the committee in order to avoid a decision in the student’s favor. Pasta is vague in his reasons for refusing to help, and he bristles at Isagani’s insistence.
Pasta, unlike the students, has accepted his position of relative power in Filipino society and is unwilling to risk it to demand justice. This is not to say that he doesn’t sympathize with the students, but his cautious attitude prevents him even from voicing encouragement, as he long ago made his peace with the colonial regime.
Themes
Isagani and Pasta argue about the nature and purpose of government. Pasta is unable to offer compelling counterarguments to Isagani’s vision of justice but all the same encourages the student to focus on his studies and avoid politics for his own well-being. Isagani dismisses this suggestion and leaves, leaving Pasta to reminisce on his own youthful dreams of justice and freedom, long since given up for the sake of his career.
Pasta’s suggestion that Isagani avoid politics is a bit of genuine advice. However, it is also an attempt to justify Pasta’s own choices, portraying what on some level he realizes is moral cowardice as the height of wisdom and responsibility. Isagani doesn’t fall for this, having himself already accepted the risks that come with taking a public stand.
Themes
