Highlights of Dr.

Jose Rizal’s Novels

Rationale

The classic novels of Dr. Jose Rizal are considered as the needed sparks that led to the
liberation of the Philippines from the mighty claws of Spanish Colonization. Thus, it is
mandated by law to be a necessary ingredient of the curriculum. One of its aims is to
strengthen nationalism among students.

The Story Noli Me Tangere El Filibusterismo

1. Starts with
2. Revolves around the life of
3. Deals also with the tragic
story
4. Abuse of Women as can
be seen through
5. Marks of Academic
freedom as shown in
6. The main character was
preoccupied with
7. The character of Basilio
was
8. Ends with the
A welcome banquet in honor of A discussion on how to
Juan Crisostomo Ibarra who just improve the travel time on
arrived from Europe board the Bapor Tabo.
Juan Crisostomo Ibarra whose Simoun who came home from
father, Don Rafael, was a victim Cuba after 13 years to rescue
of injustice and his plans to Maria Clara from the nunnery
introduce reforms by putting up but failed because Maria Clara
a school committed suicide after being
rape by Padre Salvi.
Elias who was deprived of a good Cabesang Tales who was
life that his grandparents could deprived of his land by the
give due to jealous relatives greedy friars
• Elias’ sister who was Huli, Basilio’s girlfriend, who
killed after being raped died trying to avoid Padre
• Sisa, the battered Camorra.
woman, mother of
Basilio& Crispin
The effects of Pilosopo Tasyo to The likes of Isagani, Placido
educate his people Penitente and even Macaraig
who picketed at UST
Building a school for the benefit Avenging the wrong he
of his people in San Diego believes was done against him
A helpless 10 year old boy who A promising medical student
was helped by a mystery man in who was the accomplice of
burying his mother Simoun in his desire to stage a
revolution
Escape of Ibarra despite the Suicide of Simoun to avoid
pursuing civil guards being arrested by the civil
guards

Note: Jose Rizal, the author, killed the character of Simoun in order to douse water into the fire of
revolution.

Prepared By: AP David Y. Camiwet

 The Symbolism in the Cover
Figure Positive Negative
1. Upper Cross Supremacy or power of the
Roman Catholic Church over the
state
2. Thorny Bush Sufferings of the people wrought
by the church
3. Woman Religiosity of our people Inferiority of the state before the
Roman Catholic Church.
4. Flame Enlightenment due to education
5. Maze • Struggles of the people
• Deception employed by
the colonizers
6. Pointed Cross (A Dagger) Duplicity of the friars
7. Sunflower Ability of Filipinos to follow the
route of success if given the
chance
8. Feet • Hypocrisy of the friars
• Abuse of Women
9. Bamboo • Humility, the higher it
grows, the lower it
bends
• Perseverance
• Flexibility, ability to
adjust
10. Bullwhip Cruelty inflicted on Filipinos
11. Rifle Terrorism, mere sight of it
causes shivers down the spine
12. Chain Deprivation of liberty on absence
of freedom
13. Helmet Tyranny employed against the
Filipinos
14. Inscription Noli Me Diagonal as if to say “ENOUGH”
Tangere dripping blood suggest readiness
of the people to shed blood if
necessary

Salient Contrasts
Points Noli Me Tangere El Filibusterismo
1. Place of Publication Berlin, Germany ‘87 Ghent, Belgium ‘91
2. Dedication Filipino People Mariano GOMez, Jose BURgos
and Jacinto Zamora
3. Chapters 64 38
4. Theme Reforms Revolution
5. Motive Love Hatred, Revenge
6. Inspiration “Book of Feeling” Book of “thought”
7. Source Work of the Heart Work of the Mind

Prepared By: AP David Y. Camiwet