El Filibusterismo

El Filibusterismo

I. Introduction

The book is dedicated to the memory of the Gomburza. In his dedication, Rizal audaciously expresses his conviction that their treatment at the hands of the Spanish authorities was unjust.

II. Objective

Rizal’s purpose in writing was to set his people free from the Spanish abuses.

III. The Novel

A. Setting: Philippines

B. Characters:

* Simoun - Father Florentino

* Maria Clara - Padre Florentino

* Basilio - Don Custodio

* Isagani - Paulita Gomez

* Makaraig - Juli

* Kabesang Tales - Tandang Selo

* Ben Zayb - Placido Penitente

* Quiroga - Attorney Pasta

C. Summary:

The hero of El Filibusterismo is a rich jeweler named Simoun. He was Crisostomo Ibarra of the Noli, who, with Elias’ help, escaped from the pursuing soldiers at Laguna de Bay, dug up his buried treasure, and fled to Cuba where he became rich and befriended many Spanish officials. After many years he returned to the Philippines, where he freely moved around. Outwardly, Simoun is a friend of Spain. However deep in his heart, he is secretly cherishing a terrible revenge against the Spanish authorities. His two magnificent obsessions are to rescue Maria Clara from the nunnery of Santa Clara and to foment a revolution against the hated Spanish masters. By using his wealth and political influence, he encourages corruption in the government, promotes the oppression of the masses, and hastens the moral degradation of the country so that the people may become desperate and fight. He smuggles arms into the country with the help of a rich Chinese merchant, Quiroga, who wants very much to be Chinese consul of Manila. His first attempt to begin the armed uprising did not materialize because at the last hour he hears the sad news that Maria Clara died in the nunnery. In his agonizing moment of bereavement, he did not give the...