Chapter 7 Rizal

CHAPTER 7: PARIS TO BERLIN (1885-1887)
 After studying at the Central University of Madrid, Rizal, who was then 24 yrs. old, went to Paris
and Germany in order to specialize in ophthalmology.
 He chose this branch because he wanted to cure his mother’s eye ailment.
 He served as an assistant to the famous oculist of Europe.
 In Berlin, capital of the unified Germany Jose met and befriended several top German scientists,
Dr. Feodor Jagor, Dr. Adolph B. Meyer, Dr. Hans Meyer and Dr. Rudolf Virchow.
In Gay Paris (1885-1886)

 Maximo Viola- a medical student and a member of a rich family of San Miguel, Bulacan
 Señor Eusebio Corominas- editor in chief of the newspaper of La Publicidad
 Don Miguel Morayta- owner of La Publicidad and a statesman
 Carolines Question– an article Rizal’s gave to Editor Corominas; a controversial issue for
publication
 November 1885– he was living in Paris
 Dr. Louis de Weckert (1852-1906)– leading French ophthalmologist where Rizal worked as an
assistant about four months.
 January 1, 1886- Rizal wrote a letter for his mother to reveal that he was rapidly improved his
knowledge in ophthalmology.
 Rizal relaxed by visiting his friends, such as the family of the Pardo de Taveras (Trinidad, Felix,
and Paz), Juan Luna and Felix Resureccion Hidalgo.
 Juan Luna- the great master of brush; Rizal helped him by posing as model in several paintings.
 “The Death of Cleopatra” - where Rizal posed as an Egyptian priest.
 “The Blood Compact” –Rizal posed as Sikatuna
Rizal as Musician
 Rizal had no natural aptitude for music, and this he admitted. He studied music only because
many of his schoolmates at Ateneo were taking music lessons.
 In a letter dated November 27, 1878, he told Enrique Lete that he “learned the solfeggio, piano,
and voice culture in one month and a half”.
 He is also a flutist.
o Some of his compositions are:
 “Alin Mang Lahi”(Any Race) – a patriotic song which asserts that any race aspires for freedom
 “La Deportacion”(Deportation) – a sad danza, composed in Dapitan during his exile
In Historic Heidelberg
 February 1, 1886 – Rizal left gay Paris for Germany.
 February 3, 1886 – arrived in Heidelberg; a historic city in Germany famous for its old university
and romantic surroundings.
 He became popular among the Germans because they found out that he was a good chess player
and became a member of Chess Player’s Club
 He worked at the University of Eye Hospital in Heidelberg under the direction of Dr. Otto
Becker, German ophthalmologist.
“To the Flowers of Heidelberg”

 April 22, 1886 – Rizal wrote a fine poem entitled “A Las Flores de Heidelberg” (To the Flowers
of Heidelberg) because he was fascinated by the blooming flowers along the Neckar River, which
is the light blue flower called “forget-me-not” that became his favorite flower.
With Pastor Ullmer at Wilhelmsfeld
 Wilhelmsfeld - where Rizal spent a three-month summer vacation.
 Protestant Pastor Dr. Karl Ullmer - where Rizal stay at the vicarage of their house and who
become his good friend.
 The pastor has a wife and two children named Etta and Fritz.
First Letter to Blumentritt

 July 31, 1886 –Rizal wrote his first letter to Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt who is the Director
of the Ateneo of Leitmeritz, Austria.
 Blumentritt is an Austrian ethnologist and he has an interest in the Philippine language. He
became the best friend of Rizal
 Rizal sent Aritmetica (Arithmetic) book to Blumentritt which was published in 2
languages – Spanish and Tagalog –by the University of Santo Tomas Press in 1868. The author
was Rufino Baltazar Hernandez.
FIFTH CENTENARY OF HEIDELBERG UNIVERSITY

 August 6, 1886 - The famous University of Heidelberg held its fifth centenary celebration.
 August 9, 1886 - Rizal left Heidelberg.
In Leipzig and Dresden

 August 14, 1886 - when he arrived in Leipzig.
 Rizal translated Schiller’s William Tell from German into Tagalog. He also translated Fairy Tales
of Hans Christian Anderson. He worked as a proof-reader in a publisher firm.
 He stayed about two and half month in Leipzig. He attended some lectures at the University of
Leipzig on history and psychology.
 Professor Friedrich Ratzel- a famous German historian.
 Dr. Hans Meyer- German anthropologist.
 October 29, 1886 - he left Leipzig for Dresden where he met Dr. Meyer.
 Dr. Adolph B. Meyer- the Director of the Anthropological and Ethnological Museum
Rizal Welcomed in Berlin’s Scientific Circles

 November 1 - He left Dresden by train, reaching Berlin in the evening. Rizal was enchanted by
Berlin because of its scientific atmosphere and the absence of race prejudice.
 Some scientists Rizal met are:
 Dr. Feodor Jagor– German scientist-traveler and author of Travels in the Philippines
 Dr. Rudolf Virchow– famous German anthropologist
 Dr. W. Joest– German geographer
 Dr. Karl Ernest Schweigger– famous German ophthalmologist
Rizal’s Life in Berlin

 Five reasons why Rizal stayed in Berlin:
 To gain further knowledge of ophthalmology
 To further his studies of science and languages
 To observe the economic and political conditions of the German nation
 To associate with famous German scientists and scholars
 To publish his novel, Noli Me Tangere
 Rizal worked as an assistant in the clinic of Dr. Scweigger, and at night, he attended lecturesin
the University of Berlin.
 Madame Lucie Cerdole - French professor; she became Jose’s professor in Berlin. He took
private lessons in French in order to master the idiomatic intricacies of the French language.
RIZAL ON GERMAN WOMEN

March 11, 1886 - Rizal wrote a letter addressed to his sister, Trinidad, expressing his high regard and
admiration for German womanhood.
 German woman are:
 Serious
 Diligent
 Educated
 Friendly
 Spanish woman are:
 Gossipy
 Frivolous
 Quarrelsome
German Customs
 Some of the German customs Rizal admired:
 On Yuletide season, people will select a pine tree from the bushes and adorned it with lanterns,
papers, lights, dolls, candies, fruits, etc.
 Self-introduction to strangers in a social gathering.
Rizal’s Darkest Winter

 The winter of 1886 in Berlin was his darkest winter.
 He lived in poverty because no money arrived from Calamba and he was flat broke.
 He could not pay his landlord and he was eating only one meal a day.
 His clothes were old and threadbare.
 His health broke down due to lack of proper nourishment.
 This is one of the most memorable days in the life of Rizal.

Chapter 7 Rizal

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Chapter 7 Rizal

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CHAPTER 7: PARIS TO BERLIN (1885-1887)

In Gay Paris (1885-1886)

“To the Flowers of Heidelberg”

First Letter to Blumentritt

FIFTH CENTENARY OF HEIDELBERG UNIVERSITY

In Leipzig and Dresden

Rizal Welcomed in Berlin’s Scientific Circles

Rizal’s Life in Berlin

RIZAL ON GERMAN WOMEN

Rizal’s Darkest Winter

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