MARINERS’ POLYTECHNIC COLLEGES FOUNDATION

BARAS, CANAMAN, CAMARINES SUR, 4402

A/C: 2023-2024
SUMMARY OF “ LETTER TO THE YOUNG WOMEN OF
MALOLOS”
Women are often portrayed as fragile, timid, and submissive. Its influence in
society is merely ignored and constrained as a result of various cultural norms that
exclude them from different opportunities. The young women of Malolos are
encouraged by Rizal's letter to rise up and become aware of what it means to be a real
woman in society. The letter has a significant impact on women's power and role in
building a great nation. Words can never fully express what it means to be a woman
because they have an eternal essence that they alone possess which a nation needs for it
to succeed. In his letter, Rizal went into detail on the aspects that will enable women to
alter their perspectives. He then urged women to cease their obedient submission to the
friars' spiritual leadership and become awakened. They are unable to realize their own
rights and power in society because religious fear is the primary manipulative force. The
system that the friars created imprisoned women for a variety of opportunities and gave
them a restricted environment when, in reality, they ought to have been fully aware of
their significance in society.
The letter contains a powerful message that every woman must hear during
Spanish colonialism. In the first section, he urged women to reject being servile to the
friars. For him, saintliness does not include adhering to the rules set forth by the friars.
It entails abiding by what is just and moral. Rizal had educated the women about what
God really wanted for the people and it's not like how the friars had shaped their
perception. Back then, women were subjected to abuse and enslavement due to the
impact of religious terror. Following the church, dogma has only given women external
holiness and hasn't molded them into a real epitome of how a woman should be in a
patriarchal society. Rizal is aiming to imply that having faith is about living according to
what God actually tells us to do with high morals and values, not only by reciting prayers
or how frequently you attend church. Then, as he said, "let us be reasonable and open
our eyes, especially you women, because you are the first to influence the consciousness
of man," Rizal inspired the women to be sensible and influential mothers. Women are
expected to foster a child's intellect, raise them with courage, be completely aware of
their rights, and know how to love and defend their country. Because raising a child
entails raising a great nation, this special trait ought to be ingrained in them. No fruit
will grow in a withering tree, and no woman could raise a good child if she herself was
not a good mother, according to Rizal. That a mother's actions and beliefs will always be
reflected in her children. And if they remain slaves with no fortitudes, this signifies that
their children will just follow them and adhere to the friars as well. Since friars are
adept at manipulating women, they are frequently the objects of deceit and oppression.
They are frequently abused and considered to be ignorant by the foreign nations
because of their excessive benevolence, vulnerability, and docility. However, Rizal
subsequently advised them to maintain their composure and be honorable women. The
strong foundation of a man's resilient character should be women. She must be able
to inspire her husband to be fearless and combat injustices so that their country might
have a brighter future. In a gloomy country where friar abuse and pretense are
 MARINERS’ POLYTECHNIC COLLEGES FOUNDATION
BARAS, CANAMAN, CAMARINES SUR, 4402
A/C: 2023-2024
pervasive, they should be the source of light for their children. They should have a
strong moral foundation so that they can teach their children that they have obligations
to their country, their fellow citizens, and not just themselves. They should grow up
knowing that dying and fighting with honor means much more than dying because of
slavery and despotism. Rizal has provided an illustration of how Spartan women
embody the qualities he desires for Filipino women. The word of triumphs in battle
means more to Spartan mothers than the fact that their child, who fought for those
triumphs, is still alive. It is more honorable for them even though his son was killed in a
war because it shows that she gave birth to and raised a real man. Rizal also aspires for
Filipino women to have the same bravery, determination, and capacity for making great
citizens. They should have been empowered so that their children would inherit strong
character traits from them. Additionally, women should take restraint, be vigilant and
inquisitive, and oppose any demands made by friars. Rizal focused on a few situations
that women should carefully consider. Cowardice leads to betrayal, and that was seen in
the way that the Filipino people at the time attacked their fellow citizens. Because they
are wary of the colonists, they are more loyal to them than to one another. A man should
also be free of thinking, for how one thinks influences itself and others. It has the
capacity to change manipulation into cognitive liberation. Restrictions in this part
frequently force people to depend on others for their decisions, even when doing so may
harm them. He stated that it is simpler to break a single rib of buri than a bundle of
broom to illustrate the unity of the people, that they should maintain their integrity so
that other nations can perceive that they are a cohesive, unified people. As for the
Filipina women, if they continue to possess a character created by the friars, they will
continue to build an incompetent and deplorable country. And most importantly, to
analyze the religion that the friars are establishing. If it is appropriate and in line with
God's will. Because of the false teachings at the time, their characters deteriorated and
caused them ignorance.
I have to admit that Rizal's letter to the young women of Malolos was a very
effective approach to make them aware of how the friars' system was using and
abusing them. Rizal provided an excellent illustration of the significance of women in
society. Developing women's interest and involvement in battling colonial injustices and
biases can be very beneficial to the nation. Due to the phenomenal characteristics of
women, they should not be understated. Women have immense influence and great men
were created by great mothers, their constant rectification and guidance offer a man a
powerful place in the society they live in. Women should therefore be broad-minded, has
the ability to assert their rights, carry out their duties as excellent role models for their
community, and most significantly, as builders of competent citizens. Strong women
establish strong minds and a powerful nation, and that is how a woman can shape the
world.
Reference: National Historical Commission. (1964). Political and Historical Writings.
Jose Rizal. (Volume 7, pp. 56- 66). Retrieved from
https://issuu.com/filipinasheritagelibrary/docs/political_and_historical_writings_-?
e=18015266/13725577
 MARINERS’ POLYTECHNIC COLLEGES FOUNDATION
BARAS, CANAMAN, CAMARINES SUR, 4402
A/C: 2023-2024

SUMMARY OF
“LETTER TO THE
YOUNG WOMEN OF
MALOLOS”

YAMAR, KENNENTH A
GARRADO, DANIEL B.
SABANAL, ERWIN C.
BAGASALA, RAFAEL JR. S.
MORATA, DANE SHERMOND