El Filibusterismo Chapter 38 Summary, Characters, Lessons, etc.

In this article, we will discuss a brief summary of El Filibusterismo Chapter 38 – Fatality. Additionally, we will examine the key events, characters, setting, and the lessons, messages, or implications that can be taken from this chapter.

Summary of El Filibusterismo Chapter 38 – Fatality

To hide the government’s weakness, suspected bandits were arrested. Six or seven farmers were captured by the civil guards after a series of attacks by Matanglawin in different provinces. The prisoners were forced to walk under the scorching sun, their hands tied, barely clothed, and barefoot. The civil guards, who were also Filipinos, made them suffer under the intense heat. If anyone slowed down or fell, they were beaten with tree branches.

The leader of the civil guards, Mautang, was ruthless in his cruelty toward the prisoners, hurting them to force them to confess to being bandits. During their journey, a soldier named Carolino disagreed with the guards’ brutality. He confronted Mautang, but Mautang simply replied that since they were all Filipinos, there was no problem in hurting them.

Suddenly, bandits attacked the group from the mountains, leading to an exchange of gunfire. Mautang was shot and killed, and several soldiers were wounded, including their leader. Fearing defeat, the leader ordered the prisoners to be shot so no one would escape. The prisoners begged for mercy, but they could do nothing but accept their fate.

As the fighting continued, a man appeared on top of a rock, waving his gun. The leader ordered Carolino to shoot the man. Though hesitant, Carolino was forced to fire, and the man fell from the rock. When they climbed the mountain, they found the old man lying there—it was none other than Tandang Selo, Carolino’s grandfather.

As he lay dying, Tandang Selo looked at Carolino with deep sadness and sorrow. With a trembling hand, he pointed toward the back of the plateau, as if giving Carolino a final warning. Carolino couldn’t believe that he had shot his own grandfather, Tandang Selo, who now died before his eyes.

Important Events in El Filibusterismo Chapter 38

The civil guards arrested six or seven farmers suspected of being bandits and forced them to walk under the scorching sun, their hands tied and barefoot.
Mautang, the leader of the civil guards, mercilessly punished and beat the prisoners to force them to confess, while Carolino showed his disapproval of this cruelty.
Bandits suddenly attacked the group from the mountains, leading to a gunfight where Mautang was killed and other soldiers, including their leader, were wounded.
Out of fear, the leader ordered the prisoners to be shot so no one would escape. The prisoners begged for mercy but were shot and killed.
During the fight, Carolino was ordered to shoot a man on the mountain; when he succeeded, he discovered he had shot his grandfather, Tandang Selo, who died after leaving Carolino with a sorrowful farewell.

Characters in El Filibusterismo Chapter 38

These are the characters mentioned in chapter 38 of El Filibusterismo:

Carolino

A soldier and the main character in the chapter. He is also Tano, the son of Kabesang Tales and grandson of Tandang Selo. He is part of the civil guards and faces a deep moral struggle when forced to shoot his own grandfather.

Tandang Selo

Carolino’s grandfather and father of Kabesang Tales. He is an old man caught in the tragedy of the fight. He was captured by the civil guards and ultimately shot by his own grandson, Carolino.

Mautang

An abusive Filipino civil guard. He is the ruthless leader who tortures and hurts the prisoners. He is killed when the bandits attack.

The Prisoners

Farmers suspected of being bandits who were captured and punished by the civil guards. They were forced to walk under the sun, tied up, and eventually shot on their leader’s orders.

The Civil Guards

Alongside Carolino, they guard and punish the captured suspects. They also become targets of the bandits’ attack on the mountain.

Setting in El Filibusterismo Chapter 38

The chapter takes place on a road near the mountains.

Lessons in El Filibusterismo Chapter 38

The chapter shows the injustice and cruelty that happen under power, where innocent people become victims of abuse by those in authority, especially soldiers and civil guards.
It also shows the tragedy of war and its effect on families, where members may hurt or kill each other without realizing it, causing deep pain and sorrow.
The chapter highlights humanity and the importance of conscience, showing that even in the midst of violence and war, some people remain sensitive to their feelings and morals, as seen in Carolino’s hesitation to shoot the enemy.

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