El Filibusterismo · Character

Ben Zayb

A journalist whose pen turns every event into a sensation, and whose confident misreadings of the world around him are as reliable as weather.

supporting

Also known as Abraham Ben Zayb, the wretched Ben Zayb

First appearance: I: On the Upper Deck

As a supporting figure in El Filibusterismo, Ben Zayb is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

A journalist with the countenance of a friar, he argues with Padre Camorra about river straightening and later flatters Simoun by calling his plan a 'Yankee plan.'

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Ben Zayb trades in cheap funerals and filibuster jokes, and he is the first to notice when Simoun falls silent on the water — then the first to misjudge why. He treats the colony as material for copy, and his cheerful…

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Character Web

5 connections

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Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Supporting cast and background figures
Students and socialites
Protagonist
Victims and oppressed women

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this chapter, the emotional and psychological peak occurs when Basilio, having just rescued Julî from servi…

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In the story

Ben Zayb appears across 11 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

I: On the Upper Deck
A journalist with the countenance of a friar, he argues with Padre Camorra about river straightening and later flatters Simoun by calling his plan a 'Yankee plan.'
Legends
Ben-Zayb enthusiastically praises the legends and plans to write articles about them, adopting a lecturer's tone.
The Tribulations of a Chinese
Engages in a heated discussion about magnetism and spiritualism with Padre Camorra. He proposes a plan to visit the sphinx exhibition without the public.
The Quiapo Fair
A journalist who is full of bright ideas and champagne, he jokes about the wooden figures and insists the sphinx show is a trick of mirrors.
Legerdemain
Skeptical journalist who tries to expose the trick but fails to find mirrors; later writes an article on occult sciences.
XX: The Arbiter
Mentioned as a recipient of Don Custodio's opinions about the native Filipinos, particularly regarding the Arabic origin of their culture.
Dreams
Seen talking about Simoun's illness near the Anda monument.
XXVIII: Tatakut
Gloats over his anti-education articles, claiming foresight of the unrest.
The High Official
Ben Zayb is mentioned as adding flattering adjectives to the General and commenting on Padre Camorra's transfer.
Effect of the Pasquinades
Writes articles praising Simoun's recovery and spreads rumors about the upcoming fiesta.
Ben-Zayb's Afflictions
Writes a suppressed article about the assault, then investigates a robbery at a country-house, and later discusses the Simoun plot with Don Custodio.

Chapter companion notes

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See Ben Zayb in I: On the Upper Deck