Compare and Contrast the

characters, plot, and theme of

the Noli Me Tangere and the
El Filibusterismo

Larabelle Adrianne M. Luntayao

Theme of Noli
The theme of Noli Me Tangere seems to expose the exploitations committed by the Spanish friars and government officials. The
various friars in the book were arrogant, condescending to the Filipinos, and greedy. They represented the infamous behaviour of
the Spanish friars in the Philippines. The brutality of the other officials and authorities are also shown in the novel. It is a lot more
hopeful and a little romantic than in comparision to El Fili.

Detail 1
I have noticed that this novel focuses a lot more on the church. This book is a lot more hopeful than El Fili,
Which can be very dark and violent. The novel goes on, However, detailing the abuses of the military and the
church. The church kept the masses afraid by their church kept the masses afraid by their teaching them about
hell, and if they (the Filipinos) don't follow the Spanish, they will be sent to hell and such.
Detail 2
You can see for yourself in the introduction of Noli , that the book isn't exactly anti-church nor anti-catholicism, but
it doesn't glorify the Spanish friars and the Church established in the Philippines, but rather slanders it in a way.
Describing the abuse of women and childredn by the friars, the desregard of the filipino people by the Spanish at
the time.

Detail 3
In the dedication of Noli Me Tangere, Jose Rizal dedicated the novel in the Philippines itself. He states how the
fatherland is pleagued by a social cancer. This shows how the novel is more focused on the Filipinos and the
Philippines. To quote Rizal himself, " The Novel is the first lide of the tagalogs. The Filipinos will find in it the
history of the last ten years.
Theme of El Filibusterismo
El Filibusterismo's theme seems to focus on how to reach a social reform and revolution. A number of
chapters have long dialogues of text that seem ro resemble debates, an example being chapter 7: Simoun, in
which Simuon tries to convince Basilio to join the bloody revolution, almost likke Darth Vader trying to
convince Luke to join the dark side. This represents Rizal's fading jopes for reform against his long-held
abhorrence and aversion to revolution. The book focuses on the inevitable revolution and whether or not the
Philippines should rebel peacefully and diplomatically or violently.
Detail 1
The novel's dark them constrast greatly from Noli Me Tangere's very hopeful and romantic atmosphere. Ibarra's
change and longing for revenge signifies his last resort for the Philippines freedom, resorting to violence, as a
vengence for what has happened to him to Noli, and how the his previous efforts have had almost little to no effect
to the country and the Spaniards treatment of the Filipinos.
Detail 2
We can even see in the introduction in the book itself that it states that the theme of El Fili is about colonialism.
Whether or not colonialism is right if it is to civilize a race, should said race rebel or assimilate. If independence is
wished for, should it be peaceful or bloody?
Detail 3
In the dedication El Filibusterismo, Rizal dedicated to books to the ceremony of the Gomburza from Cavite. They
were executed by the Spanish. They were blamed for instigating a small mutiny and were executed. I feel this
nothworthy as it creates, in my opinion, a bit of contrast with Noli's dedication. The Gomburza were unjustly killed
by the Spaniards, which is also paralleled with on of the chapters in El Fil.
 Comparison and Contrast
Similar topics are brought up in both of the books. These topics being the dire need of
reform of education, the abuse of the Filipinos by the hands of the Spanish the friars, the
corruption of the politicians and officials. There's also the characters returning from Noli
appearing in Fil, these being Ibarra, now Simoun, Basilio, etc. There are also mentions of
Ibarra in various chapters in El Fili.