English & Literature

Who is Porfirio Wong (aka Chino Porfirio) from Captain Pantoja and the Special Service and what is their importance? Captain_Pantoja_and_the_Special_Service English & Literature Porfirio Wong (aka Chino Porfirio) | Captain Pantoja and the Special Service

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Porfirio Wong (whose nickname Chino is the Spanish word for Chinese) is a Chinese-Peruvian pimp and business associate of Madame Chuchupe. Porfirio is a sleazy character who speaks stereotypical Asian English. That is to say, Porfirio substitutes the letter "l" for the letter "r." Thus, Porfirio uses words like "pletty" and "dlink" for "pretty" and "drink." Porfirio is aware that he is somehow different from the other Latin characters in the narrative, but he behaves un-selfconcously. In some ways, the character even manages to capitalize on his uniqueness by carving out a small niche for himself among the petty criminals of Iquitos. Wong is also one of the locals working closely with Captain Pantoja in the daily operations of the Special Service. Wong is notorious for never having any money. Regardless of his poverty, Chino Porfirio always manages to have a good time at others' expense. Wong is an opportunist and something of a gossip.