Roweno T. Pombo Jr.

Sept 8, 2017
BSA 4A 9:15 10:45 AM TTh

Satire and Political Purpose in the Novels of Jose Rizal

by: C.W. Watson

The article discussed about the two popular novels whom Rizal wrote,
Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. It focused on how creative Rizal is in
putting satire and ironic humor on his novels without degrading the political
purposes he wanted to express and expose. These novels served as a
foundation for the Filipinos to know the problems and to address such. It
became an eye-opener for the Filipinos that the oppression and discrimination
of the Spanish government was not only the real dilemma but also the Indios
as well.
It was highlighted in the article the differences and similarities of Rizals
novels. In Noli Me Tangere, he simply presented the social ills in the Philippines
that seeks remedy such as the injustices, social hypocrisy, corruption, etc. On
the other hand, the sequel to the first novel, El Filibusterismo, had the same
intentions but it provided more on the reaction to the problems depicted in the
first novel. For example, Simoun, former Crisostomo Ibarra and the main
character in El Filibusterismo, plotted anarchy and terror when he wanted to
bomb the mansion but was not successfully done. In here, it can be observed
that Rizal completely discourages a reform in favor of bloody revolution. The
chapter showed that Rizal was reluctant for a sudden rebellion for he believed
that the Filipinos that time were not ready, which were somehow true, and
which he regarded as a premature act to do.
Rizal provided the Filipinos the baby steps to the modernization of the
Philippines. Through his works, he ignited certain movements that was
sleeping the hearts of the Filipinos and changed the fate of our motherland. He
kindled the consciousness and shook the Spanish regime. Rizal rested the
ideas, some Filipinos offered the action Andres Bonifacio, Juan Luna, etc.
Until now, Rizals novels left a great impact on the lives of Filipinos. Rizals
ideas must be an inspiration to the Philippine government and its people to
achieve a better state. As Filipinos, we should know our true value and believe
in our knowledge and abilities and use this to empower our nationalism to
have a strong Philippines with a strong society.