Noli Me Tangere Chapter 27 - In the Twilight | English Translation Audiobook
Summary
TLDRIn Chapter 27 of *The Social Cancer* (Noli Me Tangere), significant preparations are underway at Capitan Tiago's house for a grand event. Capitan Tiago seeks to impress with his wealth, as his daughter Maria Clara, along with her future husband Ibarra, attracts attention. Ibarra is praised in the media, while Maria Clara enjoys her newfound freedom and beauty after leaving the convent. During their walk through the town, they encounter scenes of revelry and encounter a leper, leading to an emotional act of charity from Maria Clara. The chapter highlights societal contrasts and emotional depth.
Takeaways
- 💍 Capitan Tiago hosts a lavish event, partly to showcase his daughter Maria Clara and her fiancé, Ibarra.
- 📰 Ibarra is highly praised in a Manila newspaper as a cultivated young man and philanthropist, earning widespread admiration.
- 🏫 Capitan Tiago suggests naming the new school after Saint Francis, highlighting his religious devotion.
- 🎶 Maria Clara, once reserved from her time in a convent, now joyfully reconnects with childhood friends and embraces her new life.
- 🎉 Fiesta celebrations are in full swing, with music, food, and crowds, but Maria Clara remains sensitive to those suffering.
- 💎 Maria Clara gifts her precious locket to a leper, an act of compassion that deeply affects her and the crowd.
- 😭 A sense of sadness follows Maria Clara as she observes the misfortune of others, such as the leper and the madwoman, Sisa.
- 👮 A soldier arrests Sisa, a madwoman searching for her lost sons, adding to Maria Clara’s growing melancholy.
- 💔 Despite the festive atmosphere, Maria Clara feels increasingly disheartened by the suffering of others.
- 💭 The chapter ends on a contemplative note as Maria Clara reflects on the burdens others carry, contrasting with her own privilege.
Q & A
What preparations were made at Capitan Tiago's house for the event?
-Capitan Tiago made elaborate preparations, including bringing European wines, foodstuffs, mirrors, paintings, and Maria Clara's piano to show off his wealth and status.
Why did Capitan Tiago want to outshine others at the event?
-Capitan Tiago was motivated by his love for ostentation and his pride as a Manilan, which led him to want to humiliate the provincials with his splendor. Additionally, his daughter Maria Clara and her future husband Ibarra were attracting attention, adding pressure to surpass others.
What was the significance of the locket Capitan Tiago gave to Maria Clara?
-The locket was a special gift, set with diamonds and emeralds, containing a sliver from Saint Peter's boat, which was significant because it held religious value related to Jesus' life.
Why was there tension between Ibarra and Padre Damaso?
-Ibarra seemed to avoid Padre Damaso, indicating some tension or unresolved issues between them, despite Capitan Tiago's efforts to have them reconcile during the dinner.
How is Maria Clara portrayed after leaving the convent?
-Maria Clara is portrayed as radiant and joyful, her beauty and friendliness captivating everyone. She had regained her frank confidence and cheerful nature after being confined in the nunnery, like a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis.
What was the atmosphere like in the streets during the fiesta?
-The streets were filled with lighted torches, music, and a mix of people—Chinese, Spaniards, and Filipinos—dressed in both European and native styles. The lively crowd included servants, students, and others, while carriages moved with difficulty through the busy streets.
What gesture did Maria Clara make toward the leper, and what was its significance?
-Maria Clara, moved by compassion for the leper, dropped her jeweled locket into his basket. The leper's act of kissing the locket and showing deep gratitude highlighted Maria Clara's kindness and empathy.
Who was Cesar, and what was her connection to the leper?
-Cesar was a poor, mentally ill woman who approached the leper, asking him to pray with her. The crowd feared she would contract his disease, but her interaction underscored the tragedy and isolation both characters faced.
How did the crowd and authorities react to the leper and Cesar's interaction?
-The crowd was horrified but unwilling to intervene. Later, a soldier dragged Cesar away, showing how society marginalized and mistreated both the leper and the mentally ill.
What was the emotional impact of the night on Maria Clara?
-Maria Clara felt deeply saddened by the sight of the leper and Cesar, as well as by her fiancé Ibarra declining to stay with her. This contrast between the festive atmosphere and the suffering she witnessed affected her mood, leaving her contemplative and disheartened.
Outlines
🏡 Preparations for the Fiesta at Capitan Tiago's House
Capitan Tiago is preparing for a grand fiesta, aiming to showcase his wealth and social status, especially with his daughter Maria Clara and her fiancé Ibarra, who is drawing public attention. Newspapers praise Ibarra, calling him a cultured young man and philanthropist. Capitan Tiago, eager to impress, arrives with gifts for Maria Clara and discusses Ibarra's educational project, suggesting it be named after Saint Francis. The scene closes with Maria Clara and her friends preparing to walk, with Capitan Tiago expressing the hope that Ibarra will bond with Padre Damaso over dinner.
🎶 Evening Walk Through the Festive Streets
As night falls, the streets come alive with lights, music, and bustling crowds. Maria Clara, Ibarra, and their companions are invited into a lively gathering at Capitan Basilio’s house. Inside, Ibarra is warmly greeted, and Maria Clara's beauty draws admiration from everyone. After some socializing, Capitan Basilio, who supports Ibarra’s school project, offers him a business proposal, but Ibarra politely declines. The group leaves the house, with Maria Clara inquiring about a mysterious young man following them.
💔 The Leper and the Compassion of Maria Clara
The group encounters a tragic figure—a leper, shunned by society and living in isolation. Maria Clara, moved by his plight, gives him a precious locket her father gifted her, as a sign of compassion. Her friends question her action, but Maria Clara explains that she had nothing else to offer. The leper is overwhelmed by her kindness, symbolically kneeling to express his gratitude. The scene also introduces a madwoman, who frightens the leper, but their interaction shocks the onlookers.
😢 Reflection on Suffering and Loss of Joy
Maria Clara's mood darkens as they observe the madwoman being dragged away by a soldier, symbolizing the harsh treatment of society’s outcasts. Ibarra admits his failure to help the woman, despite his best intentions. The mood shifts from the initial joy of the fiesta to a somber reflection on the unhappiness and suffering around them. Maria Clara, deeply affected, returns home disheartened, thinking about the unhappiness that lurks behind the festive atmosphere. The chapter closes with her fiancé declining to join her, deepening her sense of melancholy.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Capitan Tiago
💡Maria Clara
💡Ibarra
💡Padre Damaso
💡The Leper
💡Fiesta
💡School of Saint Francis
💡The Crazy Woman (Sisa)
💡Padre Salvi
💡Locket
Highlights
Capitan Tiago's preparations reflect his desire to impress the provincials and his pride as a wealthy Manilan.
Capitan Tiago presents his daughter, Maria Clara, with a diamond and emerald locket, symbolizing both wealth and religious devotion.
A serious newspaper in Manila praised Ibarra as a 'cultivated young gentleman, rich capitalist, and philanthropist,' emphasizing his positive reputation.
Capitan Tiago is eager to name the new school after Saint Francis, believing that religious patronage is essential for its success.
Maria Clara is described as regaining her youthful confidence and beauty, free from the restrictions of the nunnery.
The streets of the town are filled with music, lights, and crowds as the fiesta celebrations begin.
A festive atmosphere fills the air, with people from various walks of life, including Chinese, Spaniards, and Filipinos, mingling and celebrating.
Maria Clara's locket, gifted by her father, is given to a poor leper in a profound moment of empathy and generosity.
Maria Clara's act of kindness moves the leper, who kisses the locket and shows deep gratitude.
The crowd witnesses a tense moment as the madwoman, Sisa, interacts with the leper, offering a haunting glimpse into her broken mind and grief over her lost sons.
Sisa's tragic story continues to unfold, with her referencing her lost sons, Basilio and Crispin, as she sings about her past happiness.
Ibarra expresses regret for not doing more to help Sisa, though he plans to involve the local curate in finding her sons.
Sisa is arrested by a soldier after her outburst, showcasing the harsh treatment of those deemed 'mad' in the community.
The theme of inequality and social injustice is underscored by Maria Clara's realization that not everyone enjoys the privileges she does.
The chapter ends with Maria Clara feeling disheartened by the realities of life, losing her festive mood and reflecting on the unhappiness of others.
Transcripts
chapter 27 of the social cancer
a complete english version of noli
metangare from the spanish of jose
sal by charles derbyshire this librivox
recording is in the public domain
recording by awayi in december 2011
chapter 27 in the twilight
in capitan thiago's house also great
preparations had been made
we know its owner whose love of
ostentation
and whose pride as a manilan imposed the
necessity of humiliating the provincials
with his splendor
another reason too made it his duty to
eclipse all others
he had his daughter maria clara with him
and there was present his future
son-in-law who was attracting universal
attention
in fact one of the most serious
newspapers in manila had devoted to
ibarra
an article on its front page entitled
imitate him heaping him with praise and
giving him some advice
it had called him the cultivated young
gentleman
and rich capitalist two lines further on
the distinguished philanthropist in the
following paragraph
the disciple of minerva who had gone to
the mother country to pay his respects
to the true home of the arts and
sciences
and a little further on the filipino
spaniard
capitan thiago burned with generous zeal
to imitate him
and wondered whether he ought not to
erect the conventor at his own expense
some days before they had arrived at the
house where maria clara
and aunt isabel were staying a profusion
of cases of european wines and
foodstuffs
colossal mirrors paintings and maria
clara's piano
captain thiago had arrived on the day
before the fiesta
and as his daughter kissed his hand had
presented her with a beautiful locket
set with diamonds and emeralds
containing a sliver from saint peter's
boat
in which our savior sat during the
fishing
his first interview with his future
son-in-law could not have been more
cordial
naturally they talked about the school
and capitan thiago wanted it named
school of saint francis believe me
he said saint francis is a good patron
if you call it school of primary
instruction
you will gain nothing who is primary
instruction anyhow
some friends of maria clara came and
asked her to go for a walk
but come back quickly said kapitanthiago
to his daughter when she asked his
permission
for you know that padre damaso who has
just arrived
will dine with us then
turning to ibarra who had become
thoughtful he said
you dine with us also you will be all
alone in your house
i would with the greatest pleasure but i
have to be at home in case visitors come
stand at the youth as he avoided the
gays of maria clara
bring your friends along replied capitan
thiago heartily
in my house there's always plenty to eat
also i want you and padre damas all to
get on good
terms there'll be time enough for that
answered ibarra with a forced smile as
he prepared to accompany the girls
they went downstairs maria clara in the
center between victoria and edai
aunt isabel following the people made
way for them respectfully
maria clara was startling in her beauty
her pillar was all gone
and if her eyes were still pensive her
mouth on the contrary seemed to know
only smiles
with maiden friendliness the happy young
woman greeted the acquaintances of her
childhood
now the admirers of her promising youth
in less than a fortnight she had
succeeded in recovering that frank
confidence that childish pretty which
seemed to have been
numbed between the narrow walls of the
nunnery
it might be said that on leaving the
cocoon the butterfly recognized all the
flowers
for it seemed to be enough for her to
spread her wings for a moment
and warm herself in the sun's rays to
lose all the stiffness of the chrysalis
this new life manifested itself in her
whole nature
everything she found good and beautiful
and she showed her love with that maiden
modesty
which having never been conscious of any
but pure thoughts
knows not the meaning of false blushes
while she would cover her face when she
was teased
still her eyes smiled and a light thrill
would course through her whole being
the houses were beginning to show lights
and in the streets where the music was
moving about
there were lighted torches of bamboo and
wood
made an imitation of those in the church
from the streets the people in the
houses might be seen through the windows
in an atmosphere of music and flowers
moving about to the sounds of piano harp
or orchestra
swarming in the streets where chinese
spaniards filipinos
some dressed in european style some in
the costumes of the country
crowding elbowing and pushing one
another
walked servants carrying meat and
chickens
students in white men and women all
exposing themselves to be knocked down
by the carriages
which in spite of the driver's cries
made their way with difficulty
in front of capitan basilio's house some
young women
called to our acquaintances and invited
them to enter
the merry voice of cenang as she ran
down the stairs put an
end to all excuses come up a moment
so i may go with you she said i'm bored
staying here among so many strangers who
talk only of
game and cards
they were ushered into a large room
filled with people
some of whom came forward to greet
ibarra for his name was now well known
all gazed in ecstasy at the beauty of
maria clara
and some old women murmured as they
chewed their bouyo
she looks like the virgin
there they had to have chocolate as
capitan basilio had become a warm
friend and defender of ibarra since the
day of the picnic
he had learned from the half of the
telegram given to his daughter sinang
that ibarra had known beforehand about
the court's decision in the letter's
favor
so not wishing to be outdone in
generosity
he had tried to set aside the decision
of the chess match
but when ibarra would not consent to
this he had proposed that the money
which would have been spent in court
fees
should be used to pay a teacher in the
new school
in consequence the orator employed all
his eloquence
to the end that other litigants should
give up their extravagant claims
saying to them believe me in a lawsuit
the winner is left without the camisa
but he had succeeded in convincing no
one even though he cited the romans
after drinking the chocolate our young
people had to listen to piano playing by
the town organist
when i listened to him in the church
exclaimed cenang
pointing to the organist i want to dance
and now that he's playing here
i feel like praying so i'm going out
with you
don't you want to join us tonight
whispered kapitan basilio into ibarra's
ear as they were leaving
so is going to set up a little bank
ibarra smiled and answered with an
equivocal shake of his head
who's that asked maria clara of victoria
indicating with a rapid glance a youth
who was following them
he's he's a cousin of mine she answered
with some agitation
and the other he's no cousin of mine
put in sinang merrily he's my uncle's
son
they passed in front of the parish
rectory which was not one of the least
animated buildings
cenang was unable to repress an
exclamation of surprise
on seeing the lamps burning those lamps
of antique pattern
which padre salvi had never allowed to
be lighted
in order not to waste kerosene
loud talk and resounding bursts of
laughter might be heard as the friars
moved slowly about
nodding their heads in unison with the
big cigars that adorned their lips
the laymen with them who from their
european garments appeared to be
officials and employees of the province
were endeavouring to imitate whatever
the good priests did
maria clara made out the rotund figure
of padre damaso
at the side of the trim silhouette of
padre sibila
motionless in his place stood a silent
and mysterious frey salvi
he said observed zinang for his thinking
about
how much so many visitors are going to
cost
but you'll see how he'll not pay it
himself but the sacristans will
his visitors always eat at other places
si nang scolded victoria
i haven't been able to endure him since
he tore up the wheel of fortune
i don't go to confession to him anymore
of all the houses one only was to be
noticed without lights
and with all the windows closed that of
the alvarez
maria clara expressed surprise at this
the witch the muse of the civil guard as
the old man says
exclaimed the irrepressible xenon what
has she to do with our merry makings
i imagine she's raging but just let the
cholera come and you see her give a
banquet
but sinang again her cousin scolded
i never was able to endure her and
especially since she disturbed our
picnic with her civil guards
if i were the archbishop i'd marry her
to padre salvi
then think what children look how she
tried to arrest the poor
pilot who threw himself into the water
simply to please
she was not allowed to finish for in the
corner of the plaza where a blind man
was singing to the accompaniment of a
guitar
a curious spectacle was presented it was
a man
miserably dressed wearing a broad
salacot of palm leaves
his clothing consisted of a ragged coat
and wide pantaloons
like those worn by the chinese torn in
many places
wretched sandals covered his feet his
countenance remained hidden in the
shadow of his white hat
but from this shadow they are flashed
intermittently to burning rays
placing a flat basket on the ground he
would withdraw a few paces
and utter strange incomprehensible
sounds
remaining the while standing entirely
alone as if he and the crowd were
mutually avoiding each other
then some women would approach the
basket and put into it fruit
fish or rice when no one any longer
approached
from the shadows would issue sadder but
less pitiful
sounds cries of gratitude perhaps
then he would take up the basket and
make his way to another place
to repeat the same performance
maria clara divined that there must be
some misfortune there
and full of interest she asked
concerning the strange creature
he's a leper eday told her
four years ago he contracted the disease
some say from taking care of his mother
others from lying in a damp prison he
lives in the fields near the chinese
cemetery
having intercourse with no one because
all flee from him for fear of contagion
if you might only see his home it's a
tumble down shack
through which the wind and rain pass
like a needle through cloth
he has been forbidden to touch anything
belonging to the people
one day when a child fell into a shallow
ditch as he was passing
he helped to get it out the child's
father complained to the gobernador theo
who ordered that the leper be flogged
through the streets
and that the return be burned afterwards
it was horrible
the letter fled with his flogger in
pursuit while the gobernador theo
cried catch him better be drowned than
get the disease you have
can it be true murmured maria clara then
without saying what she was about to do
went up to the rich's basket
and dropped into it the locket her
father had given her
what have you done her friends asked
i hadn't anything else she answered
trying to conceal her tears with a smile
what is he going to do with your locket
victoria asked her
one day they gave him some money but he
pushed it away with a stick
why should he want it when no one
accepts anything that comes from him
as if the locket could be eaten
maria clara gazed enviously at the women
who were selling foodstuffs
and shrugged her shoulders the leper
approached the basket
picked up the jeweled locket which
glittered in his hands
then fell upon his knees kissed it and
taking off his salacot
buried his forehead in the dust where
the maiden had stepped
maria clara hit her face between her fan
and raised her handkerchief to her eyes
meanwhile a poor woman had approached
the leper who seemed to be praying
her long hair was loose and unkempt and
in the light of the torches could be
recognized the extremely
emaciated features of the crazy caesar
feeling the touch of her hand the leper
jumped up with a cry
but to the horror of the onlookers
caesar caught him by the arm and said
let us pray let us pray
today is all souls day those lights are
the souls of men
let us pray for my sons separate them
separate them the mad woman will get the
disease
cried the crowd but no one dared to go
near them
do you see that light in the tower that
is my son basilio sliding down a rope
do you see that light in the convento
that is my son crispin
but i am not going to see them because
the curate is sick
and had many gold pieces and the gold
pieces are lost
pray let us pray for the soul of the
curate
i took him the finest fruits for my
garden was full of flowers
and i had two sons i had a garden
i used to take care of my flowers and i
had two sons
then releasing her hold of the leper she
ran away
singing i had a garden and flowers
i had two sons a garden and flowers
what have you been able to do for that
poor woman
maria clara asked ibarra nothing
lately she has been missing from the
totem and wasn't to be found
answered to youth rather confusedly
besides i have been very busy
but don't let it trouble you the curate
has promised to help me
but i advise that i proceed with great
tact and caution
for the civil guard seems to be mixed up
in it
the curate is greatly interested in her
case
didn't the alpharest say that he would
have search made for her sons
yes but at the time he was somewhat
drunk
scarcely had he said this when they saw
the crazy woman being led
or rather dragged along by a soldier
cesar was offering resistance
why are you arresting her what has she
done
asked ibarra why haven't you seen how
she's been raising a disturbance
was the reply of the guardian of the
public peace
the leper caught up his basket hurriedly
and ran away
maria clara wanted to go home as she had
lost
all her mirth and good humor
so there are people who are not happy
she murmured
arriving at her door she felt her
sadness increase
when her fiancee declined to go in
excusing himself on the plea of
necessity
maria clara went upstairs thinking what
a bore
are the fiesta days when strangers make
their visits
end of chapter 27
you
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