Analysis of the Makamisa

Makamisa was an attempt by Rizal to create a

continuation of the El Fili focusing on the mores
and customs of the Filipino people through a
more modern, artistic approach of writing. It
was dedicated to the Filipinos and written, for
the first time, in one of the countrys more
popular, vernacular languages, Tagalog.
We believe the Makamisa came into being in order for
Rizal to redeem himself. He had seen how the dark
and vengeful El Fili was not up to par with the Noli
and wished to make a work that would recreate the
success of the Noli. We believe that he wrote in
Tagalog to refocus on the Filipino people instead of his
thirst for vengeance. He also made it a comedy to
strike the interest of the masses and to distract from
dangerous times.
Noting the modern novel he wished to write for the

 After the first two chapters in Tagalog,

Rizal discontinued his work and revised it
in Spanish due to difficulty adjusting to
his own language (Tagalog).
Having travelled in Europe for years at a time,
Rizal had become rusty in Tagalog. He instead
continued writing in Spanish. He did not
continue both manuscripts at once because he
found it inappropriate, likening such a thing to
the sermons of the friars in a letter to
Blumentritt.

 Several of the characters roles in the two

versions changed. For example,
disregarding the differences in names
Anday was the main protagonist of the
Tagalog Makamisa and a strong, more
dignified character despite her hardship
while in the Spanish draft, she was
demoted, so to speak, to a meek maid who
tolerates all manner of suffering for her
child.
We believe that the change assuming that the
polished Tagalog draft came first was due to
Rizals desire for a contrast of characters; a
variation of the stereotypes. Cecilia could
represent the ideal Filipina; her mother, Barang,
could represent the Filipina born and bred to live

Rizals Letter to Blumentritt

(Part 1)
At last I can breathe freely and gladly. I
anxiously awaited your verdict. This has
arrived and though I should think there is
much deference in it, I can look forward to
the future. I am thinking of writing a
third novel, a novel in the modern sense of
the word. But this time politics will not
occupy much space in it. Ethics will play
the principal role. It will deal only
with the mores and customs of the
Filipinos

Rizals Letter to Blumentritt

(Part 2)
While I rest from my professional work, I write the third
part of my book in Tagalog. It deals only with Tagalog
customs, exclusively of the usages, virtues and
defects of the Tagalogs. I am sorry I cannot write it in
Spanish, for I have found a very beautiful theme. I
want to write a novel in the modern sense of the term
an artistic and literary novel. This time I want to
sacrifice politics and everything for art. If I write
it in Spanish, then the poor Tagalogs to whom the
work is dedicated will not get to know it, though they
be the ones who need it most and moreover I lack
practice in writing Tagalog

Rizals Letter to Blumentritt

(Part 3)
The translation of the Noli continues, but I
have already given up the idea of
writing the third part in Tagalog, for it
would not be appropriate to write a work
in two languages as they would be like the
sermons of the friars. So I am writing it
now in Spanish.

Other Questions to be Answered (by

Ambeth Ocampo):
Why didnt Rizal finish the third
novel?
Why is Makamisa Rizals strongest
anticlerical novel?

Why Didnt Rizal Finish the Third

Novel, Makamisa?
We believe that due to the
circumstance of his arrest and exile
to Dapitan in 1892, he was unable to
continue the Makamisa and many of
his other unfinished works.
Understandably, his works would
have been confiscated and guarded
or, saved by confidants of Rizal
subsequent to the latters arrest (i.e.
Mariano Ponce, etc.).

Why is Makamisa Rizals Strongest

Anticlerical Novel?
Considering Rizals great animosity towards the
friars for their harsh and wicked acts against the
indios to satisfy their own avaricious ends (in the
name of God, no less), it does not come as a
surprise that the learned and passionate Rizal
would be anticlerical.
Also considering that the Makamisa was written as
the novel to follow El Filibusterismo, his darkest
novel yet, he was still bitter as to the injustices
wrought upon his family by the friars and it
showed in the two chapters of the comedic third
novel.

Why is Makamisa Rizals Strongest

Anticlerical Novel?
The anticlericness can also be
attributed to the fact that since the
Makamisa was created to depict the
mores and customs of the Tagalogs,
the Spaniards influence on the
Filipinos was especially emphasized,
great as it was. Moreso on the
negative influences as they far
outnumbered the positive ones.