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El Filibusterismo: Summary and Analysis of Chapter 15 (Señor Pasta)


Summary:
Isagani goes to Señor Pasta and tries to convince him to support their plans of a Spanish academy.  The lawyer, an intelligent man, is aware that the friars are not in favor of this project, and, not wishing to provoke the church, Pasta decides to side with them against it.  He then tells Isagani that the best thing the lad can do is to concentrate on his studies and stop dreaming of such greatly impossible endeavors.

Points of Note:
Señor Pasta is a selfish man, with no regard for his countrymen.  He believes that only when everyone else fights for the country will he join in the spirit of nationalism.

Scholars believe that the character of Señor Pasta was patterned by Rizal after one particular man who was considered to be the most learned Filipino during the reign of the Spaniards and even during the American rule.  He also became chief magistrate of the supreme court of the Philippine government.  Rizal had already died when this man joined Aguinaldo's rebellion against the government.


Frequently Asked Questions:
Question: Why does Señor Pasta say that the Philippines is a land of dreams?
Answer: There are hundreds and thousands of plans for the nation, yet hardly one of them is realized.

Question: Why doesn't Señor Pasta side with the students and support the Spanish academy?
Answer: Most of his clients are Spanish friars.  He would lose his clients, his wealth, and his good name among the Spaniards if he were to support the planned academy.

Question: What good lesson nonetheless can be learned from the life of Señor Pasta?
Answer: It is the man's dedication to his studies.  He suffered oppressive treatment just so he could finish his education, and never wasted one second in leisure when he could spend it reading his books.