Symbolical interpretation of the

Fili
The message of Fili
The reluctant revolutionary and
his concept
Rizal after fili

Simoun
Represent the Filipino society, who is tired of the
oppressors rule.
Wants to overthrow the rule
But has no systematic plan for the new society
Maria Clara
Can symbolize the Rizals refusal to recognize the friar-
dominated Filipino culture could still be reinvigorated
through the infusion of new elements into its anemic blood
stream.
Senior Pasta
Represented the Filipino Society who have abandoned
their noble social ideals and have become self-seeking
opportunists, serving only the interest of those who have
hired them.
Isagani
A young student, who is inspired by high ideals for his
country
But forgets those ideals for selfish reasons
Symbolize the untested and unreliable idealism of a
segment of the educated Filipino youths of the time.
Paulita Gomez
Hapless object of Isaganis affection
Represent the Filipino womanhood which is relatively
enlightened but which is itself almost thoroughly bereft of
love of country and of desire for social good
Basilio
A medical student who refuses to entertain any revolution
though even in the face of rampant social injustice
Symbolizes the educated Filipino society which has been
so brutalized that has become insensible to the social
welfare.

Placido Penitente
A young man disillusioned by the state of affairs he finds himself
entertain the desire to go abroad.
Represent those elements of Philippines society, which had not yet
been infused with national sentiment or social conscience
Don Custodio
A Spanish official who occupies several positions despite the absence
of qualtification.
Who believes that any idea does not come from him deserves no
consideration.
Represents as the one who finds pleasure in developing a feeling of
inferiority among the people.
Cabesang Tales
A victim of land grabbing by the friars.
Became desperate and joined the outlaws for personal revenge.
He died of fever and found no justice in the courts
Juli
Daughter of Cabesang Tales
Sweetheart of Basilio
Took her own life because of her love for honor and chastity
Rather than to surrender her womanhood to the mundane desire of Fr.
Camorra
School Master
Rusticated as a rebel for having experimental teaching the Spanish
language to young children against the wishes of the Spanish Friars.
He became Simouns gunpowder expert

what is a man to do when he is denied justice? Take the
law into his own hands or wait for Spain to give him
rights

- The present system of the government in the Philippines
through corrupt officials, dominated by friars can lead to
the downfall of Spain
- Because of the nature of operation of the government,
those who are intelligent, generous, hard-working,
courageous, and loyal citizens were driven into
opposition, crime and subversion.
Spanish Colonial Government for Rizal was
Arbitrary
Cruel
Lack the sense of justice and responsibility w/o interest of
the people under its tutelage.

Rizal painted the friars in fili as abusing their power of for the
ff. reasons
To satisfy evil desires
To preserve their control of education
To rob men of their lands
To seek their own interest
Condemned the Filipinos for
Greed
Corruption
Hypocrisy
Cowardice
Which contributed much to the abuses of the civil officials
and the friars

Another message was
Violent means to effect change would thus become
inevitable to achieve their goal.

Simouns exchange of views with Basilio
instead of aspiring to be a mere province, aspire to be a
nation, develop an independent, not a colonial mentality.
There are no tyrants where there are no slaves
Basilio replied
Science can redeem man from social and other forms of
persecution.
Simouns Countered
patriotism will always be a virtue in oppressed people.
Conversation between Fr. Florentino and Simoun during
Simouns dying moment.
Simoun
why has God forsaken me? Is not God justice? Is it Gods will that the
Philippines remain under its present condition?
Fr. Florentino
I dont know, I cannot read the mind of the inscrutable. But I know that He
has not forsaken those that in times of decision have placed themselves in
His hands and made Him judge of their oppression; I know that his arm
have never been wanting when, with justice trampled under foot and all
other resources exhausted, the oppressed have taken up the sword and
fought for their homes and wives and children, and inalienable rights
God is justice and He cannot abandon His own cause, the cause of
freedom, without which no justice is possible.

Fr. Florentino Remarked on the question why God abandoned Simoun
if our country is someday to be free, it will not through vice, it will not be
through corruption of its sons redemption presupposes virtue; virtue,
sacrifice; sacrifice, love!
From Fr. Florentinos view of point, God abandoned Simoun in his struggle
since he employed methods unacceptable to God.
He is the God of liberty who makes us love it by making the yoke heavy
upon us; a God of mercy and injustice, who betters us as he chastises us,
and only grants happiness to him, who has merited it by his efforts. I do not
mean that our freedom is to be won at the point of the sword; the sword
counts for little in the destinies of modern times. But it is true that we must
win it by deserving it, exalting reasons and the dignity of the individual,
loving what is just, what is good, what is great even to the point of dying.
When people rises to this height, God provides the weapon,and the idols
fall, the tyrant fall like a house of cards We owe our misfortunes to
ourselves, let us not blame anyone else. If Spain were to see us less
complacent with tyranny and more disposed to struggle and suffer for our
rights, Spain would be the first to give liberty. With or without Spain, they
would be the same, and perhaps even worse! Why independence, if the
slaves of today will be tyrants of tomorrow?
Rizals message from the forgoing statements of Fr.
Florentino:
If Filipinos will not be courageous enough to protest and proclaim
their rights, be willing to sacrifice, and shed off their silence in the
face of oppression and tyranny, then they dont deserve to be given
freedom

The Filipinos have to make themselves worthy of freedom
before they become independent. Deserving freedom,
however, necessitates the need for the Filipino to travel the
following paths or roads: education; exemplary lives; and
willingness to sacrifice for ones convictions.
Rizal no longer shared the view of the reforms
He gave up the idea of gradual and peaceful
emancipation of the country
Rizal became a separatist
Rizal was bitterly attacked and mocked by his fellow
reformers in Madrid.
Rizal opted to return to the Philippines to share the
misfortunes of his family.