Who is Simoun?

Simoun is a prominent character in José Rizal's work El Filibusterismo, which is a sequel

to Noli Me Tangere. In this story, Simoun is the alter ego of Crisostomo Ibarra, Noli Me
Tangere's idealistic protagonist. After being betrayed and disillusioned, Ibarra morphs
into Simoun, a wealthy and powerful jeweler seeking vengeance on the Spanish
government and the corrupt structures that enslave the Filipino people.

Simoun's main objective is to incite a revolution, which he believes is the only way to achieve
true freedom and justice for the Philippines. Unlike the more hopeful Ibarra, Simoun has
become hardened, bitter, and willing to employ violence to achieve his goals. His journey
reflects themes of identity, vengeance, and the complexities of colonial resistance. Through
Simoun, Rizal examines the moral and ethical dilemmas faced by those who struggle for
independence.

Timeline
● After being falsely accused of rebellion and escaping death in Noli Me Tangere, Ibarra
returns to the Philippines with a new identity to seek revenge.
● As mentioned, Ibarra adopts the name Simoun. Now, with dark glasses and a long
beard, his new appearance reflects a transformed and more darker character.
● Simoun’s true identity as Crisostomo Ibarra remains a closely guarded secret. In
fact, only Basilio and Padre Florentino knew that Ibarra and Simoun were the same
person.
● As we recall in Noli Me Tangere, Ibarra’s dreams for change are more peaceful and
hopeful—he believes in making things better through education. But in El Filibusterismo,
his heart is hardened by pain and anger. His dreams turn dark, and it has been replaced
by a thirst for revenge and a desire to start a violent revolution.

Personality & Traits

● Vengeful and Ruthless: Due to his painful experiences, Simoun is willing to use
violence and manipulation, even if innocent people suffer.
● Charismatic and Persuasive: As a wealthy jeweler, he made connections that allow
him to influence people both the poor and the rich.
● Intelligent and Cunning: He skillfully set up events to manipulate people and situations
for his revolutionary aims.
● Cynical and Bitter: Simoun believes only violence can free the Filipino people, driven
by bitterness from past betrayals.
●
“All—Indians, mestizos, Chinese, Spanish, all who are found to be without courage,
without energy. The race must be renewed! Cowardly father will only breed slavish
sons, and it wouldn’t be worthwhile to destroy and then try to rebuild with rotten
materials.”

Here Simoun demonstrates just how far he is willing to go for the sake of revolution and how he
has lost sight of his original goal of ending suffering in the Philippines.

Role in the Novel

● Simoun’s primary role is to spark a revolution.
● His character also serves as a vehicle for Rizal to show the limitations of peaceful
reforms and the possibility of people turning to violent resistance when
oppression continues.
● Driven by vengeance, Simoun plans a major plot to overthrow the Spanish
government.
 ● Simoun’s character raises questions about what is right and wrong as he struggles with
the use of violence for revenge. Although he wants freedom for his people, his harsh
methods raise doubts about the ethics of achieving justice through violent actions. In the
end, the ultimate question is: can true justice ever be achieved through violence, or does
it only perpetuate a cycle of suffering? So this will be answered as we dive deeper into
the discussion.

In Chapter 39, the final chapter of El Filibusterismo, titled “The Final Chapter” (also known as
“Padre Florentino’s House”) Simoun reveals his true identity as Crisostomo Ibarra to Padre
Florentino.

CONTRIBUTIONS:

Simoun's story in El Filibusterismo has several important contributions to the society depicted in
the novel, which mirror the conditions of the Philippines under Spanish rule.

1. Calling for Change Through Revolution

Simoun represents the deep frustration of Filipinos with the slow progress of reform. After
seeing how corrupt the Spanish government and the Filipino elite are, he believes peaceful
methods (like those used by Ibarra in Noli Me Tangere) are useless. His desire for violent
revolution shows the growing anger and desire for a quicker, more drastic change in society.
This reflects how some people in the Philippines were losing hope in nonviolent reform due to
the Spanish oppression.

2. Exposing the Corruption of the Elite

Simoun uses his wealth and influence to manipulate the corrupt Filipino elites (like some rich
businessmen, politicians, and clergy). He targets them because they are part of the
problem—supporting the Spanish rule to keep their power and privileges. By exposing this
corruption, Simoun shows how the Filipino upper class is complicit in the suffering of ordinary
Filipinos, which is a major issue in Philippine society at the time.

3. Warning Against Violence

Although Simoun wants to spark a revolution, his plans end up failing terribly. This shows the
dangers of seeking change through violence. In the end, Simoun regrets his choices because
violence causes more harm than good. Through his story, Rizal warns that acting out of anger
and revenge can lead to destruction, not progress. It teaches that real change requires careful
thought, not rash actions.

4. Challenging the Power of the Catholic Church

In the novel, Simoun also challenges the power of the Catholic Church, which is deeply involved
in the Spanish colonial system. He tries to manipulate church officials as part of his plan,
showing that the Church’s power is often used to maintain control over the people. This reflects
Rizal's criticism of the Church’s influence in Philippine society and how it kept the people under
the rule of the Spanish.

5. Inspiring the Next Generation

Simoun’s actions inspire characters like Basilio, who is part of the younger generation in the
novel. Though Basilio does not follow Simoun’s violent path, he learns from Simoun’s failures
and understands that true change must come from understanding and unity, not violence.
Simoun’s story encourages the new generation to think critically about how to fight for freedom
and justice in a more positive way.

- Simoun’s role in El Filibusterismo highlights the anger and desire for change in Filipino society,
especially in the face of corruption and oppression. He shows the dangers of revenge and
violence, while also revealing the flaws in the ruling elite and the Church. His character
encourages reflection on the best way to achieve true freedom and social justice.

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS:

1. The Arrival of Simoun

● Event: Simoun, a wealthy jeweler with immense influence, arrives in the Philippines. His
arrival and connections with the elite Spanish officials, including the Captain-General,
signal his power and position.
● Significance: This event sets the stage for the novel, showing that Simoun (formerly
Crisostomo Ibarra from Noli Me Tangere) has returned with a plan for revenge. Simoun’s
influence over the Spanish authorities is symbolic of his determination to manipulate
those in power and to disrupt the system from within.

2. Simoun’s Plan to Incite Revolution

● Event: Simoun believes that the only way to liberate the Philippines is through violent
revolution. He encourages various groups to demand changes, knowing that the
Spanish officials will likely react harshly and fuel the people’s anger.
● Significance: This represents Simoun’s shift from an idealistic reformer to a vengeful
revolutionary. His approach of exacerbating oppression to ignite rebellion contrasts with
his previous peaceful ideals. This event establishes Simoun’s dual motives: revenge
against the Spanish and liberation for the Filipino people.

3. The Students’ Movement for Educational Reform

● Event: A group of Filipino students, including Isagani and Basilio, petition for the
establishment of a Spanish academy that would allow Filipinos to learn and speak
Spanish. They encounter resistance and are eventually discouraged from pursuing it.
● Significance: This event reflects the novel’s theme of social inequality and the
limitations imposed on Filipinos’ education and progress. Simoun secretly supports the
students’ efforts, hoping their eventual frustration will contribute to his revolutionary
cause. It also underscores Rizal's advocacy for education as a path to empowerment.

4. The Love Triangle of Paulita, Isagani, and Juanito Pelaez

● Event: Isagani, a young, idealistic student, is in love with Paulita Gomez, but she
ultimately chooses Juanito Pelaez, a more practical and opportunistic man favored by
her family.
● Significance: The love triangle reflects the conflict between idealism and pragmatism.
Paulita’s choice of Juanito symbolizes the preference for security and social standing
over passion and integrity, highlighting the compromises people make to survive in an
unjust society. This loss also influences Isagani’s future actions and his views on society.

5. Simoun’s Bomb Plot at the Wedding of Paulita and Juanito

 ● Event: Simoun plans to set off a bomb disguised as a lamp during the wedding reception
of Paulita and Juanito. This explosion is intended to kill the Spanish elites in attendance
and to mark the beginning of his revolution.
● Significance: This event is the climax of Simoun’s plans. His decision to destroy lives as
a means of revenge and freedom shows the lengths he is willing to go to, and it raises
questions about the ethics of violence for liberation. Basilio, however, becomes aware of
the plot and ultimately prevents the explosion, leading to Simoun’s failure.

6. Simoun’s Encounter with Basilio and the Foiled Plot

● Event: Basilio, who is initially opposed to Simoun’s methods, learns of the bomb plot and
confronts him. The conversation leads Basilio to reconsider his stance on rebellion, yet
he ultimately does not ignite the lamp.
● Significance: This interaction between Simoun and Basilio highlights the conflict
between violence and moral reform. Basilio’s hesitation and eventual decision to prevent
the bombing shows a reluctance to embrace violent means for social change, reflecting
Rizal’s advocacy for peaceful reform.

7. Simoun’s Downfall and Betrayal

● Event: After the failed bombing, Simoun’s revolutionary allies betray him, and he is
pursued by the authorities. He is mortally wounded and seeks refuge in the house of
Father Florentino.
● Significance: Simoun’s downfall represents the collapse of his plans for revenge.
Betrayed by those he thought were allies, Simoun realizes the limitations and risks of
relying on violence and manipulation. His failure also emphasizes the corrupt and
unreliable nature of his relationships, illustrating the isolation that revenge can bring.

8. Simoun’s Final Confession and Death

● Event: As Simoun lies dying, he confesses his true identity and motives to Father
Florentino. He questions his actions and motivations, wondering whether his pursuit of
revenge was justified or if it led him away from his original ideals.
● Significance: This confession marks Simoun’s moral reckoning, revealing his inner
conflict and sense of failure. Father Florentino, representing moral and spiritual integrity,
listens but ultimately rejects Simoun’s violent path. Simoun’s tragic end serves as a
critique of revenge and highlights Rizal’s message that true reform should be achieved
through moral means.

9. The Symbolic Throwing of Simoun’s Treasure into the Sea

● Event: After Simoun’s death, Father Florentino throws Simoun’s treasure into the ocean
to prevent it from corrupting others or being used for selfish purposes.
● Significance: This final act is deeply symbolic, representing the rejection of wealth and
power as tools for social change. Father Florentino’s action suggests that freedom and
justice should not come at the cost of moral compromise, and it echoes Rizal’s belief that
change must come from within, through education, integrity, and collective moral action.