A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF JOSE RIZAL POLITICS BETWEEN HIS NOVEL:
NOLI ME TANGERE AND EL FILIBUSTERISMO
A Term Paper Presented
to
SIR JOSHUA AARON M. PAGULAYAN
Course Facilitator
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Course
LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL
under
BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY AND LIVELIHOOD EDUCATION
JOSH P. VILLARUEL
AIRA NICA M. OLYMPIA
LAARNIE F. NARZOLES
KRISSA MAY M. LUISAGA
JUNE
2023
IV
School Goals: The School of Education aims to provide quality teacher education program to would-be teacher’s
consonant to the educational thrusts and policies of the national government.
Introduction
Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonzo Realonda or we all known as Jose Rizal, was not
only a great writer and philosopher but also a fervent advocate of political reform in the late 19th
century. His two well-known books, "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo," which have had
a significant literary impact, provide moving depictions of the social and political climate of the
Philippines during Spanish colonial control. Rizal skillfully combines aspects of fiction and truth
in his novels' complex plots to illustrate the injustices and corruption that are pervasive in his
society.
In this comparative study, we are going to delve the political concepts explored in Rizal’s
two popular novels, analyzing similarities as well as the differences between "Noli Me Tangere"
and "El Filibusterismo." Both of these "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo” are potent
indictments of the oppressive Spanish colonial regime, but each takes the subject matter from a
different angle, emphasizing Rizal's developing political views and his unchanging dedication to
reform.
Rizal's first book, "Noli Me Tangere," which has been published in 1887, is a blistering
indictment of Spanish friars and their unethical behavior in the Philippines. The work highlights
the sufferings of the Filipino people under colonial control while also exposing the corruption,
power abuse, and moral degeneration common within Catholic orders. Rizal depicts the various
socioeconomic classes, their interactions, and the effects of their decisions with the clever use of
vivid characters and fascinating storytelling. Rizal examines issues of nationality, identity, and
the pursuit of social justice through the main character Crisostomo Ibarra, giving his readers a
sense of enlightenment and empowerment (Joe, n.d.).
The 1891 publication of "El Filibusterismo," goes into greater detail about the
revolutionary sensations that developed in response to the abuses detailed in the preceding
edition. The subsequent piece illustrates Rizal's mounting dissatisfaction with the absence of
substantive reforms and his conviction that more drastic measures are required. Simoun, a
successful jeweler and a disillusioned Ibarra who assumes the identity of a fervent revolutionary,
is the centerpiece of the book. "El Filibusterismo" explores concepts of retribution, sacrifice, and
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the gloomy effects of a society beset by injustice and corruption in order to reveal the root causes
of unrest and insurrection (Joe, n.d.).
This study aims to offer a thorough understanding of the political climate of the colonial-
era Philippines and the continuing relevance of Rizal's contribution to the country's history by
digging through the nuances of the commentary on politics in "Noli Me Tangere" and "El
Filibusterismo."
Statement of the Problem
1. What is Rizal Political ideologies based on Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo?
2. How these two novels of Rizal (Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo) similar to each
other in terms of political views?
3. What are the differences between Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo in terms
politics?
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DISCUSSION
Rizal is referred to as the "illustrado," or "enlightened one." His political views advocated
for a self-sufficient, self-respecting government as well as a "people's government, made for
people, by people, and answerable to the people." His two novels, "Noli Me Tangere" and "El
Filibusterismo," dealt with colonial and religious oppression, his hopes for his country, and his
place in the then-revolution. Rizal's two novels are regarded political novels that tell the epic
history of the Philippines. This study evaluated the political viewpoints of the two works, as well
as their contrasts and similarities.
In Rizal’s political view, a conquered country like the Philippines should not be taken
advantage of but rather should be developed, civilized, educated and trained in the science of
self-government.
He bitterly assailed and criticized in publications the apparent backwardness of the
Spanish ruler’s method of governing the country which resulted in:
1. he bondage and slavery of the conquered;
2. the Spanish government’s requirement of forced labor and force military service
upon the n natives;
3. the abuse of power by means of exploitation;
4. the government ruling that any complaint against the authorities was criminal; and
5. making the people ignorant, destitute and fanatic, thus discouraging the formation
of a national sentiment.
Rizal’s guiding political philosophy proved to be the study and application of reforms, the
extension of human rights, the training for self-government and the arousing of spirit of
discontent over oppression, brutality, inhumanity, sensitiveness and self-love (Philosopy in Life,
2018).
Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo are the two marked novels of our national hero,
Dr. Jose Rizal which are similar and different in some ways. The two novels are similar primarily
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in their author, Rizal. Another, in a way that they both talk about how Spaniards abused the
Filipinos, the abuse of the church of their power and the discrimination on Filipinos. Both Noli
and El Fili shows strong anti-Clerical and even anti-Catholic color. They convey one story
because the latter is published in sequel or continuation.
However, they are different in many cases. Firstly, Noli Me Tangere, Latin title
meaning "touch me not" refers to the letter of John 20:17 in King James version of the Bible as
Mary Magdalene tried to touch the newly risen Jesus, He said "Touch me not; for I am not yet
ascended to my Father". Meanwhile, El Filibusterismo is Spanish title which is known in English
as The Reign of Greed. Noli is a love story or a romantic novel, dedicated to our motherland
while El Fili is a political novel associated with revenge and anger and is dedicated to
GOMBURZA.
The first is more on action and motion, the latter is thoughtful, discursive and dialectal.
Noli showed a sofspoken, patient, compassionate and idealistic Crisostomo Ibarra while El Fili
featured a different Ibarra who portrayed the angry and vengeful side of him and disguised
himself as the wealthy jeweler named Simoun. Noli is written in the idea that would expose the
ills of Philippine society after Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin. In general, Noli is
more on the reformist side of Rizal while El Fili is on his revolutionist.
Personal Opinions Noli Me Tangere is actually a tale of romance between Crisostomo
Ibarra and Maria Clara. Between the side lines of Ibarra and Maria Clara's love story is the
historical narrative of the era of Dr. Jose Rizal. Ibarra's journey in the world of Noli is the life of
our national hero: from Ibarra's philosophies, disputes, and mysteries. Many may conclude Rizal
is Ibarra. Another character that could be Rizal's reflection is the farmer that became Ibarra's
mysterious friend.
Elias, contrary to Ibarra in this context, believes in revolution for the country to be freed
from the Spanish oppression. Much can be said about the controversial Noli, but as much as the
students nowadays stray away from the subject Rizal, we cannot deny the influence of the Noli
Me Tangere, and its role in igniting the Filipino sense of national identity. El Filibusterismo
which literally means The Reign of Greed in English is the sequel to the first novel written by Dr.
Jose Rizal, Noli Me Tangere. El Fili narrates the return of a Noli character Crisostomo Ibarra as
the wealthy jeweler, bent on starting a revolution. This novel, together with the Noli Me Tangere,
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is said to have sparked the revolution against Spain in 1896. In it, Rizal presented the dilemma
faced by the country as the people groaned under the foreign oppressor: to revolt would only lead
to a change of masters, while to do nothing would keep the nation enslaved for generations.
Rizal proposes a better way, through Father Florentino as he speaks to the dying Simoun:
educate the natives, and when they shall have reached that stage where they would be willing to
die for their principles, God Himself will supply the weapon, and "liberty will shine, like the first
dawn." As gospels of Philippine nationalism, Rizal's novels convey the essence of his
nationalism that was to reverberate in the hearts of the people.
He identified this essence in his letters as his aspiration to alleviate the sufferings of the
masses, to make men worthy, to avenge one day the many victims of cruelty and injustice, to
erect a monument to the native tongue and to educate his people. In the two novels, the essence
of Rizal's nationalism is best understood through the keen study of the characters. Through their
dialogue and actions, in their ideas and ideals, or in the lack of these are seen Rizal's range of
vision, his concept of love of country, his appeal for reforms, his attitude towards the friars, and
his views on the weaknesses of the Filipinos (Comparison of Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, 2023).
There is a saying that, “Literature is a mirror of our culture”. Literature is one of the
priceless treasures that will change our lives and we uncover ourselves to the things around us.
The characters in different literary pieces represent their stand in the current issues of the society,
especially the symbolic representation of the writer’s use. Philippine literature explains the
reflection of our lives as Filipinos and how we interact with our society.
Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere was all about the description of the Spanish colonization
here in the Philippines and how the Spanish treated Filipinos badly. It followed the story of
Crisostomo Ibarra who came from Europe to study and returned in the Philippines after his seven
years of journey. He reunited with his acquaintances including his nemesis, Padre Damaso at
Kapitan Tiago’s house. He also visited his love, Maria Clara whom he missed for so long. He
was shocked to learn about his father’s death. Lieutenant Guevarra, his father’s friend, told the
story behind his father’s death. He was told that Padre Damaso ordered the gravediggers to
transfer Rafael Ibarra’s body to the Chinese Cemetery. Although the gravediggers did not follow
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Padre Damaso’s order, they threw the body into the river. This made Crisostomo Ibarra angry
that made him start a revolution against Padre Damaso and the Spanish government.
This novel has a lot of symbolism and real-life events that opened the eyes of the Filipino
people during the Spanish colonization to start the revolution and overthrow the Spanish
colonizers. Every character in Noli Me Tangere has a role that depicts different roles in
Philippine society to fight for the freedom of the country. Jose Rizal represented his persona as
Crisostomo Ibarra who was a rich character yet he was rebellious who fought for the freedom of
the Spaniards while Elias who was poor and oppressed by the Spaniards but he sacrificed his life
so that Crisostomo can escape because he believed that Crisostomo has a better chance to fight
against the Spaniards. Elias’ sacrifice paved the way to Crisostomo Ibarra’s revenge against the
Spaniards in the sequel of the novel “El Filibusterismo”.
Other characters that significantly represent Filipinos were like Doña Victorina was a
social climber who did not want to be known as an Indio. All Filipinos were called Indios during
the time of the Spaniards which means that Filipinos were foolish, not smart, and poor. There are
characters that have the symbolic meaning of the novel like Sisa was a mother of Crispin and
Basilio who took care of her children and became an outcast when her sons were missing. Sisa
represents the Inang Bayan or Motherland who became an outcast because of the ill-treatment of
the Spaniards to the Filipinos while Maria Clara represented the Filipino women who were
oppressed and abused by the Spaniards.
Noli Me Tangere depicted real-life events during the Spanish colonization in the
Philippines like the Friars’ command decisions were more powerful than the Governor-General’s
decisions, social issues, injustice, and the Philippines as a backward country. The conflicts in the
novel exist until today’s generation that it affects our society and the country that needs to learn
and read Noli Me Tangere. The conflicts that were dominant in the novel like corruption,
injustice, poverty, and abuse remain the same problem up to this day.
Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere tells people that they should reflect on their actions and
beliefs for the country. The theme of the novel is to promote nationalism and to accept change in
ourselves is still applies today. People must patronize their country by respecting the law,
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promoting Philippine culture, and realizing the true goal of the country by helping each other
towards the improvement of the country. It teaches us the values of wisdom, fighting what is
right, and loving the country. This novel is being taught in school in order to not repeat the
history itself by learning how to love their country and to empower the youth as the catalyst of
change for their country. Being a true Filipino is what Jose Rizal wants people to be, to know
who people are and what is their true goals will make the country flourished.
Noli Me Tangere is a novel that was an advisory for the Filipinos to fight against the
colonizers and today’s reminder of our history. The characters and the events in the story
resemble our life, culture, and beliefs of Filipino people. This literary piece will mark in our
hearts the values that the novel tells us to be a good role model that will benefit our country.
Reading this literary piece will make us realize the true meaning of nationalism and be a catalyst
for change (Clarisse, 2019).
Because Spanish friars and the Spanish colonial government had such control over the
Philippines, Rizal naturally focuses much of his attention on the possibility of political change.
He outlines two schools of thought for making political change: the moderate liberalism
embodied by Ibarra, and the radical revolutionary ideology espoused by Elías. The first approach
advocates for reform that would take place within the context of the oppressive religious and
governmental forces that already exist in the Philippines. According to this point of view, there is
still something worth salvaging in the prevailing system. The second approach—championed by
Elías—argues for a complete overthrow of the existing power structures, which are irrevocably
flawed and incapable of organic change. These opposing viewpoints run throughout the novel,
posing an important question about political and cultural transformation: is it better to change a
corrupt system from within, or is it better to completely overthrow it using whatever means
necessary?
The Civil Guard, Spain’s militarized colonial law enforcement, has a strong presence in
Noli Me Tangere, as it represents the Spanish government’s civic power. Although the ensign—
the leader of San Diego’s Civil Guard—is often at odds with Father Salví (the embodiment of the
church), the church and the state often work together to dominate Filipino natives who resist
Spain’s civic and religious authority. The fact that Ibarra’s father is labeled a “subversive and
heretic” is a perfect example of how the church and state work together to oppress townspeople,
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since they punish the man simultaneously and equally for being “subversive” to the government
and for challenging Catholic doctrine. In this way, the church and Civil Guard mutually reinforce
each other’s power, which makes them a formidable political force.
Throughout the novel, Ibarra and Elías debate the morality and logic of total revolution.
Elías, for his part, believes that the current government is simultaneously too removed from and
too harsh on the population. When Ibarra argues that the Civil Guard acts brutally toward its
citizens in order to improve their behavior, Elías points out that the government doesn’t give its
citizens the necessary tools to live the way it wants them to. In other words, the government—in
conjunction with the church—has so disempowered the native population that it can’t possibly
expect them to rise to the high standards it sets, and so punishing them is unjust. This is an
important argument because it refutes Ibarra’s belief that there is a morally justifiable reason for
the government to treat its citizens badly, and it justifies Elías’ commitment to overthrowing the
system entirely.
Elías continues this argument by considering the notions of agency and empowerment.
He believes that the “individual, neglected and abandoned by the state” has less “responsibility”
under oppressive circumstances, since he will inevitably make bad decisions and live a less
“enlighten[ed]” life. In other words, disempowerment creates unmotivated citizens, and in an
oppressive system, there is no incentive to live a good and moral life. Because of this, the
government must be more “lenient.” Unfortunately, the Civil Guard eagerly labels anybody who
strays from what they view as the path of “enlightenment” as “subversive,” teaming up with the
church to level claims of heresy against these individuals who have not been given the necessary
tools to succeed on the “enlightened” path in the first place.
At first, Ibarra rejects Elías’ logic, since he optimistically believes that one must retain a
small amount of faith in the systems that control the Philippines. He believes that the government
recognizes the church’s corruption and is “working to introduce reforms that will correct these
things.” He has even told Elías that he believes the church, for all its faults, is a positive
presence: “This institution might be imperfect, yet I believe that, but for the fear it inspires, the
number of criminals would increase.” Simply put, Ibarra believes that even the threats posed by
such institutions are potentially valuable because they discourage criminality. However, Ibarra
finally changes his mind after Father Salví organizes a revolt against the Civil Guard and frames
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Ibarra as their leader, leaving Ibarra at the mercy of the corrupt power of the Civil Guard and the
friars. Ironically, his reaction to being labeled a subversive is to actually become a subversive:
“They opened my eyes,” he tells Elías, “they made me see the sores and forced me to become a
criminal! And so, just what they wanted, I will be a subversive, but a true subversive.” This
reaction confirms Elías’s theory that the oppressive system ultimately drives good people into
lives of crime because they have been given no other prospects or choices. With Ibarra’s
transformation into a radical, Rizal champions retaliation and revolution, a risky political move
for an author writing in a colonial state that is incubating rebellion (Noli Me Tangere Themes,
n.d.).
Rizal's second novel, El Filibusterismo (The Revolution), was published in 1891. The Fili
speculates on the likelihood and outcome of a revolution against the Spaniards. Rizal's views
enraged the Spanish friars and colonial authorities. His parents' property was confiscated and
male members of the family were deported to the island of Mindoro, and Rizal himself was
exiled to Dapitan, Mindanao, from 1892 to 1896. Accused of inciting Filipinos to revolt in 1896,
Rizal was found guilty of sedition and executed by firing squad on December 30, 1896. He was
just 35.
Although he lived a tragically short life, he was an original thinker and prolific writer
unrivalled by anyone of his generation in the region. Among his works are several poems and
essays, three novels, studies on Philippine history, and a Tagalog grammar. His impact extended
far beyond the Philippines, where he remains a potent figure to this day, influencing intellectuals
throughout Southeast Asia.
There are three broad dimensions of Rizal's writings on the Philippines. First, there is the
critique of the colonizers' knowledge of the Philippines. Second, there are his ideas on the nature
and conditions of colonial society. Finally, there are Rizal's discussions on the meaning of and
requirements for emancipation.
According to Rizal's logic, the corrupt Spanish colonial bureaucracy relentlessly
exploited the Filipinos, but blamed the underdevelopment of the people on their presumed
indolence. Rizal's aim was to show that this view was erroneous through recourse to both logic
and historical fact. Rizal went into pre-colonial history to address the colonialist view of Filipino
indolence. The facts proved that pre-colonial Filipino society was relatively advanced,
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suggesting that the presumed backwardness was due to colonialism. And, of course, despite the
claims of the heavy-handed colonial government and the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic
Church, colonial policy was oppressive. Rizal referred to the "boasted ministers of God [the
friars] and propagators of light(!) [who] have not sowed nor do they sow Christian moral, they
have not taught religion, but rituals and superstitions." The sentiment is not without merit even
today (Alatas, 2011).
The message of the novel El Filibusterismo is clear: the present system of governing the
Philippines through corrupt and self-seeking officials, dominated by the friars and being
submissive to their interests in one fashion or another, can only lead to disaster for Spain. By its
nature and operation, the system without doubt drives all intelligent, generous, hard-working,
courageous, and loyal citizens, even those most devoted to Spain, into opposition, crime, and
subversion. The government is subjective, cruel, completely lacking in a sense of justice or of
responsibility, and without interest or trust in the people it governs. The friars are painted in even
harsher colors than in the Noli: they abuse their power to satisfy vile lusts; to rob men of their
lands; to preserve their monopoly of education; always seeking their own interests rather than
those of the country, or even of Spain.
Yet in this harsh picture there are bright spots: the high official who opposes the
governor-general over his subjective proceedings, and who sympathizes with and defends the
Filipino people; and the open-minded Dominican, Father Fernandez, who favors the petition of
the students for a Spanish academy, and is willing to discuss with the student Isagani on equal
terms what the students expect from the friars.
Rizal sees little hope that Spain will rule on the basis of justice rather than prestige, and
though he must record the rays of hope that still remain, he is essentially pessimistic.
Along with his warning to Spain, Rizal conveys to his countrymen the action to be taken
if Spain does not heed his warning. If Rizal is ruthless in denouncing Spanish corruption, greed,
exploitation, and injustice, he is no less hard in condemning Filipino corruption, greed, self-
righteousness, hypocrisy, and cowardice, which share in, or permit Spanish abuses. The Filipina,
Doña Victorina, ashamed of her race; the cowardly, time-serving Filipino lawyer, Señor Pasta;
the brutalized civil guard, cruelest of all of their own countrymen; the corrupt municipal officials
--- to name a few.
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Moreover, he criticized weak-willed students who lack self-respect and courage to fight a
dampening system of education; the silliness of Paulita, who chooses the cowardly but wealthy
braggart Pelaez over Isagani whose bravery and patriotism have gotten him into trouble with the
authorities; the superstition and fanaticism of the women of San Diego.
He proclaims the unstable and presumably irreversible status of Spanish sovereignty in
the Philippines. Yet he never urges revolution. Not only does he condemn an independence won
by immoral means, like Simoun's; he does not even want immediate independence, which could
only mean a new slavery. The task for the Filipinos is to prepare themselves, to make themselves
worthy of freedom, and then God will grant the means, be it revolution or peaceful separation
from Spain.
Education, decent lives, and willingness to sacrifice for one's convictions, even to suffer
martyrdom - this is the road to freedom that Rizal would have his countrymen travel (Joe, n.d.).
El Filibusterismo exposes the real picture of Filipino society at the hands of the Spanish
authorities. Socio-political issues mentioned in the Noli are also dealt with in its sequel. What
makes El Filibusterismo essentially different from its prequel is that it offers various means of
attaining social reform and somewhat hinted what the author believed was ideal. Some dialogues
and incidents seem to suggest the apparent improbability of any radical socio-political change.
The main character’s persistence to push through with the rebellion, on the other hand, seems to
suggest that independence is attainable through revolution. However, the closing chapters rather
insinuate that freedom must be attained without bloodshed as the story ends with the failure of
Simoun’s planned uprising.
The El Filibusterismo manifests Rizal’s more mature and less hopeful attitude toward the
socio-political situation in the country. The grimmer outlook and more tragic mood can be
attributed to the persecutions and sufferings the author and his family experienced from the
Spanish friars and officials in the years he was writing the novel (Manebog, 2020).
This is a complex story of a pacifist who raised his pen and, subsequently, unintentionally
inspired multiple nationwide uprisings and revolutions.
These two novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo dig deeper into understanding
the internal and external struggles of a country, divided by a plethora of motivations, beliefs,
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ideologies, and moralities by using almost real-life characters and often imposing satirical
personalities to most. Written in a character-based structure, highlighting its plot as direct
associations during the Spanish colonial rule, these novels are revered as two of the most
prominent and prolific literary works written by a Filipino.
"Noli Me Tangere" is translated "Touch Me Not" or "The Social Cancer," while "El
Filibusterismo" is translated "The Reign of Greed." Both novels were about politically and
historically driven fictional Philippines during the Spanish colonial period inspired by the
writer's living conditions, views, beliefs, and ideologies under the Spanish rule.
The two novels follow the main protagonist Crisostomo Ibarra, an intelligent and
educated Filipino that had studied in Europe and returned to the Philippines. He would later
change his identity into Simoun due to a series of complex events that turned his visions and
beliefs from being idealistic, wishing for positively reasonable reforms among his town and
people, to anarchistic, wishing for revenge and vicious vengeance against those that had wronged
him. Like Noli Me Tangere, El Filibusterismo aims at enlightening society, and at bringing the
Filipinos closer to the truth.
The end of the sequel, as well as the overarching plots that revolve around the stories that
focuses on different and complex characters, can be interpreted in wheels within wheels within
wheels: that the answers for injustices are not the acts of more, and that hatred will not create
anything but monsters.
Through Rizal, he quoted one of the character's dialogues as if they were his own ideals:
"Only love brings, in the end, marvelous works; only virtue can save!" This was pretty ironic
since love was one of the reasons why Crisostomo/Simoun, in the books, turned into a full-blown
anarchist, and love was also one of the reasons why his orchestrated plans to overthrow the
oppressive church and regime in the second book failed. Keeping you hooked on reading their
separate yet intertwining stories, he filled the novels with whole grains of sarcasm, humor, and
irony. Rizal, in his works, also used these methods as weapons to try and destabilize the brutally
oppressive colonial regimes of his time: controlling, vile governments and powerful, corrupt
religious authorities.
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In Ibarra's defense, the inherent hatred towards those that had blatantly wronged him and
his methods for committing unimaginable vengeance was utterly justifiable. But, as we all know
in reality, hatred will only result in further hatred, and one of the books' messages is that we, as
readers, will never truly see the light if we let ourselves succumb to our darkest visions of our so-
called "enemies." It's an intense, ruling, exhausting, and complex ambiguity that offers real-life
dilemmas.
The story of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo gives off a societal message that the
citizens should be the leaders of its governing body and not the other way around. That strength
lies in the numbers of people who want to change something inappropriate or give voices to
those who suffer injustices. They are novels mirroring the life of each person whilst delivering a
story that each separate team in society has its own perspective. They serve an underlying
commentary and of belief for rights, justice, and freedom, and the need to attain it — no matter
what the cost. They also show hard-to-notice topical sarcasm and satirical statements that would
make your head nod in full agreement, especially if it's for or against our own diverse belief
systems, social constructs, and ever-changing norm.
These two novels were created to mimic the writer's intention of gaining liberty, freedom,
independence for its people, to have it manifest in real-life situations, during the hundreds of
years of oppression and darkest days of imperialism. These also serve lessons for the generations
that read it and take it to heart, from nationalism and patriotism to responsible social and political
activism and ways of fighting for what is right. Idealists and intellectuals are what authoritarian
figures often try to dispose of because they see them as a threat, and one way as an act of
rebellion against such oppressive systems is to pick up a pen, read a book, with violence coming
to last when all bureaucratic and diplomatic options are exhausted (Paciente, 2020).
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CONCLUSION
The two novels "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo" of Jose Rizal continue to hold
relevance in today’s generation, serving as a reminder of the struggles and aspirations of the
Filipino people. These literary works provide insights into not only historical context but also
various political concepts and themes.
These novels are recognized for their ability to explore and elucidate the socioeconomic
and political conditions prevalent during Rizal's time. Through his storytelling and analysis,
Rizal presents unique perspectives on the oppressive monarchy and the struggle for
independence in his fictional narratives.
Rizal's novels delve into various compelling themes that shed light on the societal
realities of his era. By creating complex characters, developing thought-provoking concepts, and
examining the impact of colonialism, Rizal effectively conveys his viewpoints on the prevailing
political landscape. His works not only provide an understanding of historical circumstances but
also offer insights into the struggles faced by individuals and societies affected by oppressive
systems.
The characters in the two novels of Jose Rizal serve as the way to deliver his political
messages to the Filipino. When it comes to Noli Me Tangere, the main character, Crisostomo,
exemplifies Rizal’s views of the value of education and an overwhelming feeling of Filipino
identity. In El Filibusterismo, the main character is Simoun, who is dejected and resentful and
represents the political reaction to the ongoing oppression that the Filipinos experience.
Another subject in Rizal's works is the significance of sacrifice and resistance in the face
of injustice. Rizal calls attention to the economic and social inequities caused by colonization.
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Through his narratives, he exposes oppression of the impoverished, clergy misuse of authority,
and exploitation of Filipino labor.
These two works by Jose Rizal contain his most pointed observations and commentary on
the Spanish colonial period. He portrayed the government's colonial rule at the time as corrupt,
exploitative, and unsympathetic to the suffering of the Filipino people. Rizal made Filipinos
aware of the Spanish government's political abuses, the absurdity of the Spanish legal system,
and the Filipino people's dehumanization of Spaniards.
Despite being written in the past, Rizal's novels continue to hold relevance in
contemporary society. They serve as reminders of the importance of addressing social injustices
and promoting widespread awareness. Rizal's works inspire readers to actively work towards the
establishment of a fair and egalitarian society. By exploring the complexities of power dynamics
and advocating for social change, Rizal's novels encourage readers to critically examine their
own society and strive for a more just and equitable future.
Overall, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo serve as mirrors for society, reflecting
the ongoing struggles for justice, equality, and national identity. They remind us of the
importance of understanding our history, learning from it, and taking action to build a better
future. These literary works inspire individuals to be agents of positive change and to strive for a
society that embodies the values of freedom, justice, and compassion.
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Bibliography
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and-laziness-the-thought-of-jose-rizal_syed-farid-alatas
Clarisse, A. (2019, September 14). Noli Me Tangere: A Wake-Up Call Book of Revolution.
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wake-up-call-book-of-revolution-9268a46b13d6
Comparison of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. (2023). Retrieved from GraduateWay:
[Link]
Joe, C. (n.d.). Rizal Masterpiece : El Filibusterismo. Retrieved from Tripod:
[Link]
Manebog, J. D. (2020). The Synopsis and Theme of Jose Rizal’s El Filibusterismo. Retrieved
from myinfobasket: [Link]
filibusterismo/
Noli Me Tangere Themes. (n.d.). Retrieved from LitCharts: [Link]
tangere/themes
Paciente, D. R. (2020, March 3). Dr. Jose Rizal's "The Social Cancer" and "Reign of Greed".
Retrieved from Owlcation: [Link]
filibusterismo
Philosopy in Life. (2018). Retrieved from pairserver:
[Link]
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