Maranan, Rhealyn M.

RIZAL

CLOHS 2A

1.How did the Rizal law brought literature and nationalism together?

The Republic Act no. 1425– the so-called Rizal Bill, was landmark legislation that brought literature and
nationalism together in the state's attempt to decolonize the "culture." The bill was an actual example
of the state's effort to use literature to foster national consciousness among the Filipino people. As we
know, Rizal's novels awakened Philippine nationalism. With literature, we Filipinos are opened to the
truth about what we experienced under an oppressive ruler. His works made us realized that we should
be loyal and have a sense of devotion to our nation. Also, his novels were described as a constant and
inspiring source of patriotism. The minds of the youth, especially during the formative years, should be
imbued. Conjuring up a new independent Filipino people whose "national character" is "shaped" by
literary works and the act of reading these words, the bill accorded Rizal and his novels a central place in
the state's nationalist project and recognition of their vital role in enabling Filipinos to grasp the ideals of
freedom and nationalism.

2. What is the link between nation and culture?

The nation is the most widespread and significant political phenomenon of the modern age. Another to
subscribe to the idea that specific "cultures" are embodied and particularized as "nations," each
endowed with its own "national character." The answer offered by the Rizal Bill was: Literature.
Literature came to occupy a mediating position between the "universal" ideals of freedom and
nationalism, on the one hand, and their realization within a specifically Philippine context, on the other
hand. Literature assumed a mediating function precisely because Rizal's novels served as artifactual,
concrete examples of a "Filipino culture" conceived as the total of all the products of a society's creative
labor and aspirations. At the same time, these works were how other Filipinos could acquire, preserve,
and reshape such a culture.

Nation is a political and not a cultural construct; yet, a nation cannot come into being without its people
having a sense of cultural belonging as a shared experience. Culture in itself does not create a country.
Still, it enables the transformation of different existing identities into a national identity.

3. How did the Rizal bill claim the privileged role in the nationalist project of preserving and
developing Phil culture by making the reading of Rizal' novels the subject of their supervision?

In essence, the state claimed to stand, like literature, between the universal ideals and their
embodiments, and provided the crucial institutional relay between them. In so doing, it imputed the
nation's origin, and its own justification for existence as a state, to the writing of nationalism. In the act
of locating Rizal's texts within a national fantasy of origins, the Rizal Bill established nationalism's origins
in literature at the same moment that it claimed to regulate literature in the name of the nation.

3. What is the implication of the provision in the bill exempting students from reading Rizal's novel for
reasons of religious beliefs?

The bill's concession to the "external" interests the Church represented-which accounted for the
provision in the bill that exempted "students for reasons of religious belief"-was solid evidence of the
fact that the law, far from being neutral, was engendered from competing, antagonistic interests. This is
ironic given that the entire Filipino nation, and not just factions comprising the nation, was supposed to
"remember with special fondness and devotion" the dead heroes who had lived and died for the ideals.

4. The reading of the novels of Rizal was imposed by the Rizal law because the framers of the law
believed that literature has the ability to offer new insights into a given society and the power to
illuminate a set of issues or questions central to the Filipino experience. In other words, do you think
reading stories could help awaken the spirit of nationalism tainted by the way the colonizers shaped
us to be subservient to their whims? Explain.

Yes, I think that reading stories could help awaken the spirit of nationalism tainted by how the colonizers
shaped us to be subservient to their whims. Literature plays a significant role in shaping this country’s
history. It is a powerful tool to awaken the national spirit that we have. For me, writers like Rizal have
been inspired to write their own stories and shared the truth through their writings despite facing the
threat of being killed for us to be free from lies. Novels of Rizal gave us a hint that those wrongdoings
can still exist in real life, resulting for the Filipinos to open their mind as to what is happening around us.

5. Taking up Rizal Course is a way of memorializing the works of Rizal because of his continued
relevance to the present. How can you identify yourself with Rizal amidst the questions arising in our
society?

Rizal is a subject in a university as it has become a symbol of Philippine patriotism and nationalism.
Many issues are going on with our society today, and I think we should still have the love and interest in
our country. It holds that each nation should govern itself, free from outside interference, that a nation
is the only rightful political power source. The legacy of Rizal still lives today because his works gave us
the true freedom that we are longing for a long time. Possessing patriotism and nationalism for our
country is necessary at this present time because it brings people together and makes for a healthier
nation. Even though there's a problem in our society, the goal is to keep the nation united and show
solidarity for our country's welfare.