The Colonized and The Colonizer

Accusations

In Chapter 15 of Noli Me Tangere, aptly named as “The Sacristans,” we

read that Crispin is being accused of stealing. Despite protests from the
little boy that he did not steal, the priest still hauls him away and is
beaten to death. Crispin also mentions in this chapter that if he really
did steal, he could have given the money back right away which
suggests that it really is not him to has the missing money. Yet despite
the innocence of the boy, unmercifully is he punished. Likewise in 19 th
century Philippines, Spaniards walk over our land and impose stringent
rules upon the Filiipinos. And if someone is caught breaking the law on
accident, that man is punished without due justice.

Oppression

Despite the protests of the boys that they must leave the church to go
home to their mother, the friar keeps them locked up in the tower. He
forbids them to leave until they can produce the missing money. Here,
we see that Filipinos are represented by Crispin and Basilio and that the
friar is the Colonizers. In this time, Filipinos are treated harshly,
inhumane even, by their Colonizers, the Spaniards.

Rightfulness

Since Basilio wasn’t accused of stealing, the friar permitted him to go

home at 10’o clock. However, a curfew of 9’o clock was imposed on
town which means that no one is allowed to be out in the streets past 9.
Basilio knew this and he told this to the friar and instead of being
humbled, the friar flew into a rage. In the same manner, Filipino people
during the 19th century weren’t allowed to speak up even if they are
correct, they must only bow their heads and obey the Spaniards. Not
doing so would result to a severe punishment for the Filipinos.