El Filibusterismo

• El Filibusterismo


  The sequel to Noli Me Tangere, plunges deeper into the Philippines under Spanish colonial rule
• Protagonist


  Crisostomo Ibarra, now living under the alias Simoun
• Simoun


  • A wealthy jeweler, a parody of the stereotypical wealthy Filipino who has assimilated into Spanish colonial society
• Structure of El Filibusterismo


  • Non-linear narrative
  • Two epigraphs
  • Three parts
• Non-linear narrative


  • Story unfolds through flashbacks, interwoven narratives, and multiple character perspectives
• Epigraphs


  • One from Francisco Bilbao advocating for violent revolution, another from Antoine de Saint-Exupery about judging a society by its weakest members
• Three parts


  • First Part ("The Eve of Feast"): Introduces Simoun and the social scene in Manila
  • Second Part ("Keys"): Focuses on Basilio's struggles and the student movement
  • Third Part ("Cry of Redemption"): Deals with Simoun's failed revolution and the aftermath
• Vivid descriptions

  • "The carriage fled like a frightened bat through the dark streets, where the only illumination came from a few flickering oil lamps..."
• Symbolism

  • Simoun's jewelry store, Casa de Herreria (House of Ironworker), symbolizes the chains of oppression binding the Philippines under Spanish rule
• Satire and irony


  • Captain Tiago's obsession with having his deceased daughter, Maria Clara, declared a saint satirizes the hypocrisy and misplaced priorities within Filipino society
• Shifting perspectives

  • The novel shifts between the perspectives of Simoun, Basilio, Isagani, and Padre Florentino
• Simoun


  The protagonist, a wealthy jeweler seeking revenge against the Spanish authorities for their role in his past suffering
• Basilio


  The son of Sisa and Crispin from Noli Me Tangere, grappling with social injustice and the limitations placed upon Filipinos in colonial society
• Isagani


  Basilio's friend and a leader of the student movement advocating for educational reform
• Captain Tiago


  Maria Clara's wealthy father, now obsessed with having her declared a saint, embodying the assimilationist mentality of some Filipinos under Spanish rule
• Doña Victorina


  Captain Tiago's flamboyant but insecure wife, obsessed with social status and European customs
• Padre Florentino


  A wise and compassionate priest who questions the methods of the Church and advocates for peaceful reform
• Plot outline

  1. Part 1 ("The Eve of Feast"): Introduces Simoun and his plan to incite a revolution

  2. Part 2 ("Keys"): Focuses on Basilio's struggles and the student movement

  3. Part 3 ("Cry of Redemption"): Reveals Simoun's revolutionary plan and its tragic failure
• Main ideas

  • Critique of colonialism
  • Revolution vs reform
  • Corruption and hypocrisy
  • The role of the Church
  • The importance of education
• Significance of El Filibusterismo


  • Exposed the corruption, abuse of power, and injustices perpetuated by the Spanish authorities and the clergy
  • Sparked discussions about nationalism, colonialism, and the desire for independence among Filipinos
  • Themes of injustice, oppression, and the struggle for freedom resonate beyond its historical context
• The overall theme revolves around the injustices and oppression faced by the Filipino people under Spanish colonial rule, as well as the desire for social justice, reform, and ultimately, independence
• Simoun


  A character who plots to incite revolution and urges Filipinos to fight for their rights and seek social and political reform
• El filibusterismo

  Significance: It sparked discussions about nationalism, colonialism, and the desire for independence among Filipinos, contributing to the growing nationalist movement that eventually led to the Philippine Revolution against Spain. Its themes of injustice, oppression, and the struggle for freedom resonate beyond its historical context, making it a timeless piece of literature that continues to inspire social change and activism.
• El filibusterismo

  Overall theme: The injustices and oppression faced by the Filipino people under Spanish colonial rule, as well as the desire for social justice, reform, and ultimately, independence.
• Themes in El filibusterismo

  • Colonialism and Oppression
  • Social Injustice and Inequality
  • Nationalism and Resistance
  • Corruption and Hypocrisy
• Filibusterismo


  The term "filibustero" was used to describe someone engaging in unauthorized warfare against a foreign country. In the novel, it represents the characters who are considered dangerous patriots by the Spanish government and the clergy due to their desire for reform and revolution.
• Education System

  The colonial education system is depicted as flawed, designed to maintain control over Filipinos by limiting their access to knowledge and perpetuating a biased hierarchy based on race.
• Social Reform


  The students' desire for social reform through education is seen as subversive by the clergy and government, who view them as filibusteros because they challenge the status quo.
• Simoun


  The protagonist, Simoun, is the alter ego of Crisostomo Ibarra from Rizal's previous novel, "Noli Me Tangere." He represents the revolutionaries who advocated for a violent revolt against the Spanish government. His ultimate failure symbolizes Rizal's disapproval of armed rebellion.
• Basilio


  A hardworking student who dreams of a better future through education, Basilio symbolizes the youth striving for personal advancement but lacking social awareness.
• Isagani


  An idealistic poet, Isagani embodies the passionate youth willing to stand up for their country's principles, even at personal cost.
• Father Florentino


  A retired priest, he represents the secular Filipino priests of Rizal's time and emphasizes Rizal's opposition to a bloody revolt.
• Ben-Zayb


  A journalist who distorts facts for appealing stories, Ben-Zayb represents the corrupted media of the era.
• The Steamship (Bapor Tabo)


  Symbolizes the Philippine government under Spanish rule, portraying it as antiquated, slow-moving, and inefficient.
• The River Pasig


  Symbolizes the life of Filipinos under Spanish rule. It is depicted as a place where legends and stories of the past are carried along with the current, reflecting the flow of history and the people's struggles.
• The Lamp


  Represents knowledge and enlightenment but also carries a destructive force when used by Simoun as a bomb, symbolizing the potential for education to be a tool for both reform and revolution.
• The High Official's Party


  Depicts the decadence and corruption of the colonial society, where the elite are more concerned with pleasure and appearances than the welfare of the people.
• The Lottery and the Quiroga's Bazaar


  Illustrate the allure of quick wealth and the economic exploitation of the Filipinos by foreign interests.
• Characters' Names

  Many names in the novel are symbolic, often reflecting the characters' traits or roles in society. For example, "Kabesang Tales" represents the tale of the Filipino people's suffering and struggle for justice.
• Jewelry and Wealth


  Simoun's jewels, which he uses to influence others, symbolize the corrupting power of wealth. Father Florentino's act of throwing the jewels into the sea represents the idea that wealth should not be used for personal gain but for a righteous cause.