How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"That!—that! oh, that's really the work of that Genoese seaman! But to return to my noises; there used to be in the old days the sound of trumpets outside that gate. War trumpets! I'm sure they were trumpets. I have read somewhere that Drake, who was the greatest of these men, used to dine alone in his cabin on board ship to the sound of trumpets. In those days this town was full of wealth. Those men came to take it. Now the whole land is like a treasure-house, and all these people are breaking into it, whilst we are cutting each other's throats. The only thing that keeps them out is mutual jealousy. But they'll come to an agreement some day—and by the time we've settled our quarrels and become decent and honourable, there'll be nothing left for us. It has always been the same. We are a wonderful people, but it has always been our fate to be"—he did not say "robbed," but added, after a pause—"exploited!" (II.5.9)
Martin is dropping some truth bombs that no one (at least Antonia, Mrs. Gould, and Don José) wants to hear. Which is unsurprising, given that he's basically talking about how, throughout history, foreigners have cashed in on Costaguana's resources while the population was busy with infighting. It's good to remember here that Conrad has a rep for being suspicious of progress, since Decoud is suggesting that things haven't really changed since the time of Drake—and Sir Frances Drake lived a long, long time ago
Quote #8
The tide of political speculation was beating high within the four walls of the great sala, as if driven beyond the marks by a great gust of hope. Don Juste's fan-shaped beard was still the centre of loud and animated discussions. There was a self-confident ring in all the voices. Even the few Europeans around Charles Gould—a Dane, a couple of Frenchmen, a discreet fat German, smiling, with down-cast eyes, the representatives of those material interests that had got a footing in Sulaco under the protecting might of the San Tomé mine—had infused a lot of good humour into their deference. Charles Gould, to whom they were paying their court, was the visible sign of the stability that could be achieved on the shifting ground of revolutions. (II.5.94)
Okay, we kind of get what the Monterists are talking about now; it seems like a lot of different countries have the ear of the (also foreign) "King of Sulaco," who is supposedly the big symbol of security. He's like a big blanky, except more political and scary.
Quote #9
"Ah! But Don Carlos is so English," he began. Mrs. Gould interrupted— "Leave that alone, Don Martin. He's as much a Costaguanero—No! He's more of a Costaguanero than yourself." (II.6.96-97)
Apparently Mrs. Gould doesn't like that Martin keeps beating the "Charles is so English!" drum. Of course, she's right that Martin is just as foreign as Charles, if not more so, since he's of European extraction and lived in Europe for a long time before returning to Costaguana.