El Filibusterismo

The Reign of Greed

About the Novel . . .
• The second novel written by Rizal as sequel
to Noli Me Tangere
• Dedicated to GOMBURZA
• Started on October 1887 in Calamba
• Finished in March 29 1891 in Biarritz
• Was almost not published due to lack of
funds
• Published September 1891 in Ghent partially
funded by Valentin Ventura
• Written four years after noli was written
wherein Rizal was experiencing a lot of
frustrations in his efforts for social reform,
thus giving the book a graver tone
 Filibusterismo / Filibustero
• Rizal first heard this word during the
execution of GOMBURZA
• At that time filibustero referred to
those who are provoking a revolution
against the foreign government
• “Dangerous patriot”
• “Rebel”
• “Subversive”
• Simoun as the Filibustero
Purpose . . .
• Same with the Noli Me Tangere
• enlighten society
• Bring Filipinos closer to truth
• Prove that liberation through bloodless means is
better than revolution
Issues exposed:
• Need for reform in education
• Superstition masquerading as religion
• Abuses of the friars
• Corruption of officials
• Pretentions of social climbing natives and
Spaniards
• Spanish tyranny
• Church aquiring immense political power
Noli & Fili Compared . . .
NOLI FILI
• • Bitterness
Aspiration
• • Hatred
Beauty
• • Antipathy
Romance
• Pain
• Mercy
• • Violence
Humor
• • Sorrow
Idealism
• Rebellion
• Society is encouraged
to ask and aspire for • Society is urged to open
change and liberation its eyes to reality and
rebel against the
Spanish government for
its oppression and
abuse
Major Characters
Simoun – Crisostomo Ibarra disguised as a jeweler bent starting a
revolution; cynical;
Basilio – Sisa’s son, an aspiring doctor
Isagani – Poet and Basilio's best friend; portrayed as emotional
and reactive; Paulita Gómez' boyfriend before Juanito;
Idealist
Kabesang Tales – head of a baranggay, joined Simoun in
rebellion after experiencing oppression
Padre Florentino – Secular Filipino priest, chose to live alone to
avoid the temptations of a prestigious position and high
income,the last person Simoun talked to before dying
Don Custodio – High official in the government, has a mistress,
Pepay
Paulita Gomez – Chose to marry the amusing rich Juanito rather
than the serious Isagani; counterpart of Leonor Rivera
Juli – Juliana, daughter of Kabesang Tales; Basilio’s sweetheart
Summary . . . .

 Crisostomo Ibarra returns disguised as Simoun

 Basilio recognizes Simoun
 Simoun tries to convince Basilio to join him but
Basilio refuses
 Simoun’s first attempt at revolution fails when he
hears of Maria Clara’s death and breaks down
 Basilio and mates got arrested
 Juli persuades friar to help her with Basilio’s
release, but instead gets killed escaping from the
advances of the friar
 Simoun arranged Basilios release; Basilio, bitter
and vengeful joins him
Summary . . . .

 Simoun Plants the bomb at the wedding reception

of Juanito and Paulita filled with illustrious guests
 Basilio bothered by his conscience tries to
escape; Basilio sees Isagani and tells him about
Simouns plot
 Isagani throws the bomb into the river
 Simoun takes refuge in Padre Florentino’s house
 Simoun confesses everything to Padre Florentino
 Padre Florentino expresses his conviction that
Simoun's plans failed because he chose to do
them by unjust means