El Filibusterismo (El Fili) – Chapter 2
Chapter Title: Below Deck
Setting: December morning, Steamship Tabo (Pasig), below deck
Characters:
- Basilio
- Isagani
- Capitan Basilio
- Simoun
- Padre Florentino
- Padre Florentino’s servant
- Skipper
- Paulita Gomez (mentioned)
- Padre Irene (mentioned)
- Capitan Tiago (mentioned)
- Padre Sibyla (mentioned)
- Capitan General (mentioned)
- Don Tiburcio (mentioned)
- Dona Victorina (mentioned)
- Padre Camorra (mentioned)
- Macaraig (mentioned)
Chapter Summary:
Below deck, sick Chinese peddlers are sleeping. But students are also there and are wearing ‘spotless white attire’. They are in good moods because they are returning home for the holidays.
Basilio complains that Capitan Tiago is sending him to San Diego on the suggestion of Padre Irene so that Tiago can just smoke opium at home. Capitan Basilio tells Basilio and Isagani that he himself does not like opium use.
Isagani explains that they have given Padre Irene 2 chestnut horses as a bribe so he can see Capitan General about the permit. Capitan Basilio points out that Padre Sibyla opposes their permit, but Isagani says it doesn’t matter.
Capitan Basilio asks about funds and they explain that each student contributes a real and that they already found professors (half are Filipinos, half are Peninsulares), and that Macaraig will let them have one of his houses. Capitan Basilio accepts their explanation and understands their desire to learn Spanish since their books are in Spanish.
Basilio asks what Isagani’s uncle says about Paulita. They talk about how Dona Victorina asked Isagani to look for her husband as an exchange for letting Isagani date Paulita. Isagani laughs because the husband is in his uncle (Padre Florentino’s) house. That is why his uncle did not go on deck: because Dona Victorina might ask about Don Tiburcio.
Simoun arrives and Basilio introduces Isagani to him. They realize that Isagani and Simoun lived in towns close to each other. Simoun asks about the province and admits he hasn’t gone there because people in the province do not buy jewels. Isagani is annoyed and says people in the province don’t need them. Simoun offers them beer and they refuse.
Simoun says he heard Padre Camorra say that morning that there is a lack of energy in the country because people drink too much water. Isagani argues and says that water can put out fires and turn into steam, and becomes the ocean which can destroy humanity. Basilio quotes Isagani’s verses and Simoun leaves to get beer.
Basilio asks Isagani why he is annoyed. Isagani says he does not know. He says Simoun makes him feel afraid, but he does not know why.
Florentino’s servant calls Isagani and tells him to go to Florentino. While waiting for Isagani, the skipper tells Florentino to go up on deck or else the friars will think he won’t want to join them.
Florentino advises Isagani not to visit the deck because it would be abusing the skipper’s hospitality but Isagani thinks its so he won’t talk to Dona Victorina.
Trivia:
- Below deck, there are only benches and stools.
- The deck is also called the lounge.
Quotes:
These men of the past, they find difficulties for everything; you propose to them one thing and instead of seeing the advantages they notice only the inconveniences. They want everything to come out smooth and round as a billiard ball.
Inexorable as are all devout women who believe themselves interpreters of the will of God.