UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS

LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL

ASSESSMENT 2

SECTION: 2CE-G GROUP #: 3

MEMBERS: DIMAGIBA, Florence Rossette S. DOMINGO, Eryl Russell B. ESCAÑO, Salve Ann Marie A. FLORES, Margaret E.

Rizal is usually described as a reformist in most history books. However, there are some who argue that he was a revolutionary. Trace the seemingly conflicting views on the national hero
through the characters of his novels.

1. Quote the ideas of Rizal on reform and revolution through the following characters in selected chapters of the Noli Me Tangere and EL FIlibusterismo: (40 points)

NOLI ME TANGERE: CHAPTER 49 – The Voice of the Hunted

Elias: Ibarra:
 “The Civil Guard has only this purpose: the repression of crime by means of terror and  “However, imperfect the condition of affairs may be now, it would be more so if it
force, a purpose that it does not fulfill or accomplishes only incidentally. You must were changed... while I fully understand that it is true that these corporations have
take into account the truth that society can be severe with individuals only when it their faults, they are necessary at this time. They are what is known as necessary
has provided them with the means necessary for their moral imperfection. In our evil.”
country, where there is no society, since there is no unity between the people and  “Let us bear those evils on account of the benefits that accompany them. This
the government, the latter should be indulgent, not only because indulgence is institution may be imperfect, but, believe me, by the fear that it inspires it keeps the
necessary but also because the individual, abandoned and cared uncared for by it, has number of criminals from increasing.”
less responsibility, for the very reason that he has received less guidance. Besides  “Meanwhile, believe me that the government needs a corps with strength enough to
following out your comparison, the treatment that is applied to the ills of the country make itself respected and to enforce its authority.”
is so destructive that it is felt only in the sound parts of the organism, whose vitality is  “To preserve the Philippines it is meet that the friars continue as they are. On the
thus weakened and made receptive of evil.” union with Spain depends the welfare of our country.”
 “What effect does this institution produce among our people? It paralyzes
communication because all are afraid of being abused on trifling pretexts. It pays
more attention to formalities than to the real nature of things, which is the first
symptom of incapacity… what have they got by repressing their anger and hoping for
human justice?”
 “The result is that we are unable to put an end to the evil that we have created…
Terrorism is useful when the people are slaves… But when in desperation he fights for
his life, feeling his arm strong, his heart throb, his whole being filled with hate, how
can terrorism hope to extinguish the flame to which it is only adding fuel?”
 “Criminals now, or future criminals; but why are they such? Because their peace has
been disturbed, their happiness destroyed, their dearest affections wounded, and
when they have asked justice for protection, they have become convinced that they
can accept it only from themselves. But you are mistaken, sir, if you think that only
 criminals ask for justice.”
NOLI ME TANGERE: CHAPTER 50 – Elias’s Story
Rizal’s idea on reform through Elias: Rizal’s idea on revolution through Ibarra:
 “The country, sir, does not think of separating from the mother country; it only asks  “…now misfortune has torn the bandage from my eyes; the solitude and misery of my
for a little freedom, justice, and affection.” prison have taught me ; now I see the horrible cancer which feeds upon his society,
 “The country suffers, yes but it still hopes and trust and will only rebel when it has which clutches its flesh, and which demands a violent rooting out.”
lost its patience, that is, when those who govern it wishes it to do so, and that time is  “There is no God, there is no hope, there is no humanity; there is nothing but the
yet distant. I myself will not follow you, never will I resort to such extreme measures right of might.”
while I see hope in men.”  “I will call out these ignorant people; I will make them see their misery. I will teach
Rizal’s idea on revolution through Elias: them to think not of brotherhood but only that they are wolves for devouring, I will
 “… you are going to light the flames of war … But in this struggle which you are going urge them to rise against this oppression and proclaim the eternal right of man to win
to undertake, those who will suffer most will be the defenseless and the innocent.” his freedom”
NOLI ME TANGERE: CHAPTER 61 – The Chase on the Lake
Ibarra: Elias:

EL FILIBUSTERISMO: CHAPTER 7 - Simoun

SImoun:
 “Now I have returned to destroy that system, to precipitate its downfall, to hurl it into the abyss toward which it is senselessly rushing even though I may have to shed oceans of
tears and blood. It has condemned itself, it stands condemned, and I don’t want to die before I have seen it in fragments at the foot of the precipice.”
 “I have placed obstacles in the way of trade so that the country, impoverished and reduced to misery, might no longer be afraid of anything; I have excited desires to plunder the
treasury, and as this has not been enough to bring about a popular uprising. I have wounded the people in their most sensitive fiber; I have made the vulture itself insult the very
corpse that it feeds upon and hasten the corruption. ”
 “I am the judge who wishes to castigate this system by making use of its own defects, to make war on it by flattering it. I need your help, your influence among the youth, to
combat these senseless desires for Hispanization, for assimilation for equal rights.”
 “I have lost all- country, future, prosperity, your very tomb, but have patience. And thou, noble spirit, great soul, generous heart, who didst live with only one thought and didst
sacrifice thy life without asking the gratitude or applause of any one, have patience. The day is coming, and when it brightens I myself will come to announce it to you who are
now indifferent.”
EL FILIBUSTERISMO: CHAPTER 39 - Conclusion
Padre Florentino:
 “You have believed that what crime and iniquity have defiled and deformed, another crime and another iniquity can purify and redeem.”
 “If our country has ever to be free, it will not be through vice and crime, it will not be so by corrupting its sons, deceiving some and bribing others. Redemption presupposes
virtue, virtue sacrifice, and sacrifice love.”
 “The just and the worthy must suffer in order that their ideas may be known and extended. You must shake or shatter the vase to spread its perfume, you must smile the rock to
get the spark.”
 “Where are the youth who will generously pour out their blood to wash away so much shame, so much crime, so much abomination? Where are you, youth, who will embody in
yourselves the vigor of life that has left our veins, the purity of ideas that has been contaminated in our brains, the fire of enthusiasm that has been quenched in our hearts?”
2. Summarize in your own words Rizal’s views on reform and revolution. What could be the reason for his vacillating views as he spoke through the different characters in the novel? (6 points)

REFORM REVOLUTION
The characters on his novels, Noli Me Tangere and El FIlibusterismo, relayed his view The writings of Jose Rizal, particularly the Noli Me Tangere and El FIlibusterismo
on seeking reform through unveiling oppression and injustice in the Philippine society and demonstrated revolution as an offshoot of reform. Even though Rizal was active in the reform
awakening the Filipino people. The right action was through education, for his fellowmen to movement, he was not a mere reformist in that sense. He has conveyed his desired for a true
secure a liberty through having education as a prior condition, exalting intelligence and revolution. He has no desire to take part in premature conspiracies and bloodshed without
dignity of every individual. For local education, being controlled by the colonial government viewpoint. But, he is willing to seek destruction in war, where Filipino would prefer to die
who kept the people in dark, ignorant of their rights and heritage, and meek in the face of rather than endure the misery, and become a partisan of violent means if the government
oppression. Rizal agitated for reforms in people who were truly ready for self-rule to ensure failed to address the reforms despite of the excessive patience of the people. A true
fruitful actions which were not rooted from irregularity and uncertainty. As such reform revolution which is cultivated from sincerity and purity of heart. Since, indifference has fueled
movement aimed to increase awareness of the needs of the country. up systematic oppression towards other people which become hindrance of development.

REASON
Rizal was a spirit of contradiction; vacillating views were apparent as he spoke through different characters on his novel – Elias and Ibarra. The character of Ibarra showed frustration in
reformists effort whereas the other force represented by Elias struggle to fight the oppressors. Rizal dreads the revolution yet within himself he consummately yearns. He was indecisive due
to the irregularity and uncertainty. He both trusts and distrust his own racial brothers as he witness diversity and homogeneity on his countrymen. Hence, Rizal constantly pivots between fear
and hope, faith and despair. The vacillating views, the contradictions, were merged as he seeks what is best needed for Philippines.

3. Based on your answers in the previous questions, do you believe that Rizal was a reformist or a revolutionary? Why? Defend your answer. (4points)