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16. The Tribulations of a Chinaman
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
The Kiapo fair is buzzing with activity. Father Camorra is excited by all the women around him, irritating the others. Isagani, Paulita Gómez, and Doña Victorina pass them, and Juanito Peláez once again makes eyes at Victorina. The group then stop at a vendor selling wood sculptures, most of which depict friars in various heroic aspects—a sharp contrast to their depiction in European folk art. As the group argues about the sculptures, comparing various figurines to people, Simoun disappears. The group prepares to enter the exhibit, Ben Zayb still confident that he can expose the trick with ease.
Father Camorra’s lecherous behavior persists, even the presence of his colleagues, superiors, and the general public, despite the embarrassment he causes to the church. Juanito Peláez’s continued interest in Doña Victorina suggests he has more in mind that mere politeness. The heroic sculptures of the friars reflect their ubiquity and power in the Philippines. Typical European depictions of friars are highly sarcastic, portraying them as seedy gluttons and drunks, something no Filipino artist could ever get away with.
Themes
