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Historical and Socio-Political Conditions The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869

During Rizal's Lifetime (1861–1896) allowed more Filipinos to study abroad,
leading to the emergence of the
1. Spanish Colonial Rule ilustrados—a class of educated Filipinos
 The Philippines was under the control of exposed to liberal and nationalist ideas.
Spain, with a centralized government  Rizal was part of this class, studying in
led by the Governor-General in Manila. Europe and engaging with reformist
 The Catholic Church played a dominant movements.
role in both political and social life, Impact:
controlling vast landholdings and  The ilustrados introduced
influencing governance. Enlightenment ideals, such as individual
Impact: rights, freedom, and equality, into
 The clergy's abuse of power and control Filipino discourse.
over lands led to widespread  Their writings, including Rizal’s works,
discontent, especially among the laid the intellectual foundation for the
ilustrados (educated class) and Philippine Revolution.
peasants.
 Rizal's criticism of the friars' abuses, as 4. Lack of Representation and Inequality
seen in his novels Noli Me Tangere and  Filipinos had no representation in the
El Filibusterismo, exposed these Spanish Cortes (parliament) after 1837.
injustices and inspired nationalist  Discrimination against Filipinos,
movements. including the ilustrados, created a
strong sense of alienation.
2. Feudal Land Ownership Impact:
 The Spanish colonial system entrenched  Rizal and other reformists advocated
a hacienda (estate) system, where large for representation, equality under the
tracts of land were owned by friars and law, and the secularization of parishes.
the colonial elite.  The inability of Spain to address these
 Tenant farmers (or kasama) worked demands radicalized the reform
these lands under exploitative movement, leading to calls for
conditions. independence.
Impact:
 Land ownership inequality became a 5. Educational Reforms and Limited Access
root cause of peasant uprisings and  Education during Rizal’s time was
agrarian unrest, which persisted even largely controlled by the Church and
after independence. limited to the elite.
 Rizal's family was directly affected by a  While the ilustrados gained access to
land dispute with the Dominicans, higher education, most Filipinos
further fueling his advocacy for social remained uneducated.
reform. Impact:
 Rizal believed that education was the
3. Rise of the Ilustrado Class key to national progress, which he
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emphasized in his essays and promotion of English as the
organizations like La Liga Filipina. medium of instruction.
 Post-independence leaders prioritized 4. National Identity:
public education as a tool for nation- o Rizal became the national hero
building, inspired by Rizal's vision. of the Philippines, with his works
and ideals serving as the
6. Increasing Nationalism foundation for Filipino
 Reforms in Spain, such as the 1812 nationalism and identity.
Constitution, briefly granted liberal 5. Modern Reforms:
rights but were revoked in the o Rizal’s advocacy for education,
Philippines, sparking resentment. land reform, and equality
 Propaganda movements, led by Rizal, continues to influence policies
Marcelo H. del Pilar, and Graciano and social movements
Lopez Jaena, sought to awaken Filipino addressing modern challenges
nationalism. like poverty, corruption, and
Impact: human rights.
 Rizal’s execution in 1896 galvanized the
nationalist movement, turning him into Examination of Rizal's Major Literary Works
a martyr and symbol of the fight for
freedom. 1. Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not)
 His ideas inspired the Philippine Published: 1887 in Berlin, Germany
Revolution (1896–1898) and later Content Overview:
movements for independence.  Noli Me Tangere is a social novel that
exposes the abuses and injustices of
Post-Rizal Impact on the Philippines Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines.
1. Philippine Revolution (1896–1898): It follows the story of Crisostomo
o Rizal’s execution motivated the Ibarra, a young man who returns to the
Katipunan, led by Andres Philippines after studying in Europe,
Bonifacio, to intensify their only to encounter corruption,
revolutionary efforts. oppression, and hypocrisy in society.
o His writings and ideals became a  Ibarra’s dream of reform is shattered
unifying force for revolutionaries. when he faces the harsh realities of
2. First Philippine Republic (1899): colonial rule, forcing him to confront the
o The Republic under Emilio limits of peaceful change.
Aguinaldo adopted principles of Major Themes:
freedom, equality, and education 1. Social Injustice: The novel highlights the
inspired by Rizal’s vision. oppression of Filipinos by Spanish
3. American Colonization: authorities, friars, and elites.
o Rizal’s emphasis on education 2. Religious Hypocrisy: It critiques the
influenced American policies, abuses of the clergy, particularly their
such as the establishment of a control over land and influence on
public school system and the governance.
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3. Love and Sacrifice: The tragic love story realities of fighting for change in a
between Ibarra and Maria Clara mirrors corrupt system.
the struggles of the Filipino people. 4. Moral Responsibility: The novel
4. Education as a Tool for Reform: Rizal challenges individuals to act ethically,
emphasizes the role of education in even in the face of oppression.
empowering the masses and addressing Significance:
societal problems.  El Filibusterismo is considered more
Significance: radical than Noli Me Tangere, as it
 Noli Me Tangere awakened Filipino advocates for a deeper examination of
nationalism by exposing the systemic the roots of societal problems.
abuses of Spanish rule.  It underscores Rizal’s belief that change
 The novel became a catalyst for the must come from moral and intellectual
Philippine Revolution, as it encouraged awakening, not just revolution.
Filipinos to demand reforms and justice.
Comparative Analysis of Themes
2. El Filibusterismo (The Reign of Greed) Noli Me
Theme El Filibusterismo
Published: 1891 in Ghent, Belgium Tangere
Content Overview: Hopeful, Dark, vengeful,
Tone
 A darker sequel to Noli Me Tangere, El idealistic disillusioned
Filibusterismo follows Simoun, the new Reform
identity of Crisostomo Ibarra. Simoun, Approach through Revolution and
now a wealthy jeweler, returns to the to Change education and violent rebellion
Philippines to incite a revolution and dialogue
seek revenge against the oppressive Highlighting
colonial system. Exposing
Focus deeper, systemic
 The novel explores themes of societal issues
corruption
vengeance, disillusionment, and the
Ibarra as an Simoun as a
consequences of radicalism. Simoun’s Character
idealist disillusioned
plan ultimately fails, as he realizes that Arc
reformist revolutionary
true reform cannot be achieved through
violence alone. Significance of Rizal's Literary Works
Major Themes: 1. Catalyst for Nationalism:
1. Revenge and Justice: Simoun’s o Both novels ignited Filipino
transformation reflects Rizal’s critique nationalism and exposed the
of revolutionary violence as a means of injustices of Spanish rule,
change. becoming the foundation of the
2. Corruption and Greed: The novel delves Propaganda Movement.
deeper into the greed and exploitation o They inspired revolutionaries,
within colonial society.
including Andres Bonifacio and
3. Disillusionment with Reform: Rizal
the Katipunan, who saw Rizal as
contrasts idealism with the harsh
a guiding figure.

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2. Education and Awareness: further studies in Europe, earning
o Rizal’s works served as a wake- degrees in medicine and philosophy at
up call to Filipinos, encouraging the University of Madrid, and took
them to seek education, equality, advanced courses in ophthalmology in
and self-determination. Paris and Heidelberg.
o They continue to be part of the  Execution: Rizal was executed by firing
Filipino educational curriculum to squad on December 30, 1896, in
instill patriotism and critical Bagumbayan (now Luneta Park),
thinking. Manila, for his role in inspiring the
3. Literary Masterpieces: Philippine Revolution against Spanish
o The novels are considered colonial rule.
masterpieces of Philippine
literature, blending social critique Key Philosophical and Ideological Beliefs
with compelling storytelling. 1. Education as the Foundation of Social
o Rizal’s use of symbolism, Progress
allegory, and realism elevates  Rizal believed education was the most
them as works of universal effective tool for empowering the
relevance. Filipino people and achieving social
4. Moral and Ethical Reflection: reform. He argued that ignorance
o Rizal emphasizes the importance perpetuated oppression and advocated
of moral integrity, education, and for equal access to education for all.
peaceful reform over violent  Educational Philosophy:
means. o Rizal promoted a liberal, holistic
o His works challenge readers to education that emphasized
reflect on their roles in shaping critical thinking, science,
society and addressing injustices. literature, and moral values.
o He established La Liga Filipina,
Jose Rizal: His Life, Philosophical and an organization aimed at
Ideological Beliefs fostering educational and civic
reforms.
Overview of Jose Rizal's Life o Rizal’s famous essay,
 Birth and Early Life: Born on June 19, "Instruction," emphasized that
1861, in Calamba, Laguna, Jose education must uplift people
Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonzo morally and intellectually, not
Realonda was the seventh of eleven just prepare them for labor.
children in a well-off Filipino family. His
parents, Francisco Mercado and 2. Social Reform through Peaceful Means
Teodora Alonso, instilled in him a deep  Rizal was a reformist who believed in
love for learning and patriotism. non-violent change. He sought reforms
 Education: Rizal studied at Ateneo within the existing colonial system
Municipal de Manila and later at the rather than outright revolution.
University of Santo Tomas. He pursued  Key Reforms Advocated by Rizal:
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o Representation of Filipinos in the progress and proposed solutions rooted
Spanish Cortes (Parliament). in human rights and self-determination.
o Freedom of speech, press, and
assembly. 5. Critique of Colonialism and Religious
o Secularization of Philippine Hypocrisy
parishes (ending the monopoly of  Rizal condemned the abuses of Spanish
Spanish friars). colonizers, particularly the friars who
o Equal rights for Filipinos under exploited the Filipino people in the guise
Spanish law. of religion.
 Rizal’s vision was to awaken the Filipino  He was not against Catholicism itself
consciousness and foster a sense of but opposed the misuse of religion to
identity and unity among the people. justify oppression. This was evident in
his novels, where corrupt friars such as
3. Political Change Through Enlightenment Padre Damaso and Padre Salvi
 Rizal emphasized the need for symbolized the hypocrisy of colonial
nationalism and patriotism, believing clergy.
that political change must come from
an educated and united populace. Rizal’s Influence on Philippine Society
 Rizal’s works, particularly Noli Me 1. Inspiration for Nationalism
Tangere and El Filibusterismo,  Rizal’s writings and actions inspired the
highlighted the corruption and abuses Propaganda Movement and
of Spanish authorities and clergy. revolutionary groups like the Katipunan,
However, they also criticized Filipino founded by Andres Bonifacio.
society's complacency and internal  Although Rizal did not advocate violent
divisions. revolution, his ideas planted the seeds
 He believed that self-governance of Filipino nationalism.
should only come once the Filipinos 2. Vision for a Just Society
were prepared morally and  Rizal envisioned a Philippines where
intellectually, stating, "There are no individuals were educated, morally
tyrants if there are no slaves." upright, and free from colonial
exploitation.
4. Advocacy for Human Rights and Equality  His works and letters demonstrate his
 Rizal was a staunch advocate of human unwavering hope for a society based on
dignity, justice, and equality. He argued equality, justice, and progress.
that all people, regardless of race or 3. Legacy in Education
social status, were entitled to basic  Rizal’s ideals continue to shape
rights and freedoms. Philippine education. The Rizal Law
 Rizal's essays, such as "The Indolence (Republic Act 1425) mandates the study
of the Filipino" and "The Philippines a of Rizal’s life and works in schools to
Century Hence," analyzed the historical instill patriotism and moral values.
and social factors that hindered Filipino

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