Name Casido, Angelica P.

Date February 18, 2024 2ND

SEMESTER
Year/Program BSN 3B Course GEC9: Life and Works of Rizal
PRELIM
Week 5 PRELIM ASSIGNMENT 2 Professor VERNA BONO

ESSAY: Explain your answers

1) What are the hardships that Rizal met abroad?

Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines, faced multifaceted hardships during his overseas
endeavors as a passionate advocate for Philippine independence and social reform. Foremost
among his challenges was the pervasive discrimination and racism he encountered in foreign
societies, where his status as a Filipino made him a target for biases and prejudices. Despite his
intellectual prowess, acceptance and respect remained elusive, underscoring the harsh realities of
racial prejudice during that era. Financial difficulties constituted another significant hurdle for
Rizal as he pursued higher education and championed social change. Struggling to secure
necessary funds, he faced the constant challenge of supporting himself and contributing to his
causes, leading to periods of financial strain, even to the extent of going without dinner and
relying on drinking water to quell hunger.

Moreover, Rizal's activism and writings advocating for reforms and national independence
exposed him to political persecution by Spanish authorities, posing a constant threat of arrest and
imprisonment. These hardships took an emotional toll on Rizal, who grappled with homesickness
and a sense of isolation while being physically distant from his homeland, family, and friends.
The weight of his responsibilities as a patriot and intellectual added to the emotional challenges
he faced, including struggles in maintaining family ties and navigating complex romantic
relationships with women like Leonor Rivera and Josephine Bracken. Rizal's frequent
movements between countries and cities during his travels presented further challenges, requiring
adaptation to diverse cultures and educational systems.

In conclusion, Jose Rizal's overseas journey was marked by discrimination, financial struggles,
political persecution, emotional challenges, and constant adaptation to new environments.
Despite these adversities, Rizal's unwavering commitment to Philippine independence and social
reform left an enduring legacy, inspiring generations of Filipinos to come.

2) Are there reasons why Rizal wrote Noli Me Tangere?

Every piece of work of Rizal has a real story to tell to Filipinos. His artistic work serves its
purpose by indirectly exposing the injustice and bad governance of Spanish Colonial. Jose Rizal
penned "Noli Me Tangere" with a multifaceted purpose rooted in his commitment to social
reform and the desire to address the prevailing injustices of Spanish colonial rule in the
Philippines. Through this literary work, Rizal aimed to provide a profound social commentary,
offering a scathing critique of the oppressive colonial system. His intention was to awaken
national consciousness among Filipinos, urging them to reflect on their collective plight and
aspire for change. Additionally, the novel also served as a platform to expose the abuses of the
ruling class, particularly the friars and government officials, as well as to shed light on the moral
decay within certain segments of the Catholic Church. Rizal's advocacy for education is evident
in the novel, emphasizing its transformative power in uplifting the nation.

Furthermore, "Noli Me Tangere" was conceived as a tool for peaceful reform, inspiring Filipinos
to strive for change intelligently rather than through violence. Rizal's deep love for his country is
palpable in the characters of the novel, symbolizing the patriotism and sacrifice necessary for the
pursuit of national liberation and progress. Ultimately, the work also aimed to raise international
awareness about the Philippines' plight, seeking support and understanding from the global
community. "Noli Me Tangere" stands as a testament to Rizal's multifaceted vision for social
change and his unwavering commitment to the betterment of his homeland.