REVOLUTION IN TEXT: AN EXAMINATION OF JOSE RIZALS

HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS (1886-1896)

A Research Paper
Presented to
The Faculty of the High School Department
St. Scholasticas Academy Marikina

In partial fulfillment
of the Requirements in English 10 SY 2013-2014

Submitted by
6 Rachel Cabello
15 Francesca Dimatulac
20 Nathalie Flores
24 Clarissa Illustrisimo
32 Noemi Mejia
33 Nicole Mia
37 Aileen Samson
38 Richelle Santos
40 Bianca Suarez
March 2014

CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the background of the study, the statement of the problem, the
significance of the study, the scope and delimitations, the definition of terms, and the conceptual
and theoretical framework.

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Jose Rizal is considered by many to be the national hero of the Philippines. Dubbed the
Renaissance Man, he was a genius: proficient in more than twenty languages and equipped with
multiple skills. He did not only hope to secure his countrys social and political reform, but also
wanted his countrymen to be given the same level of education that he had attained.
As most students have been taught in school, Rizal is widely known to be a reformist and
a good example of nonviolent opposition. The researchers aim to test this concept. Previous
studies have been made in the past regarding the topic.
One example of this is the study of Juan Carlo P. Tejano (2011) wherein he elaborated on
the idea that Rizal had fought for liberty both by pen and by sword meaning Rizal had
encouraged reformism and revolution among his countrymen.
In addition, according to Floro T. Quibuyen (1996), Rizal had realized that a peaceful
struggle shall always be a dream, in his letter to his German friend Ferdinand Blumentritt on
January 26, 1887. This statement could mean that Rizal knew that reformism could lead to
nowhere and that a different means must be used to achieve liberty.

With regards to the manifesto that Rizal made on December 15, 1896, Gregorio T. Zaide
(1999) stated that Rizal only rejected Masonry and retracted his destructive statements about the
Church but did not retract his liberal ideas and convictions. This could mean that Rizal had not
been completely innocent of the acts of rebellion and sedition accused on him.
Based from these past studies, the researchers will examine the following texts by Jose
Rizal: Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo including a critical analysis of his characters, as
well as the novels that inspired him such as Uncle Toms Cabin, Les Miserables, The Count of
Monte Cristo, and The Prince.

THEORETICAL AND CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

This study rests on the following theoretical and conceptual framework.
According to John Lockes Second Treatise on Civil Government (1690), when the people are
oppressed by their leader or ruler, they rebel and revolt. According to Locke, the people are the
best judge as to whether or not their ruler is abusive. To strip a ruler of his power, the people will
revolt to achieve liberty. In this study, the researchers aim to show this revolutionary pattern in
Jose Rizals Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo as inspired by the same pattern found in
Harriet Beecher Stowes Uncle Toms Cabin, Victor Hugos Les Miserables, Alexandre Dumas
The Count of Monte Cristo, and Niccolo Machiavellis The Prince.
When this pattern or archetype is found among these six novels, Rizal, therefore, was indeed the
inspiration for the revolution led by Andres Bonifacio in 1896 and that Rizal had encouraged the
use of force as a means to attain liberty from the colonizers.

Figure I: The theoretical framework

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
Figure II shows the research paradigm of the study. The paradigm shows literary works that had
inspired and were written by Rizal that prove that he had, at least, sympathies for the
revolutionary thought.
In this conceptual model, the researchers will use and examine the novels of Rizal as well as the
novels that had inspired him to write. On the novels that had inspired Rizal, namely Uncle Toms
Cabin, Les Miserables, The Count of Monte Cristo, and The Prince, the focus is on how they
became an inspiration for Rizal as evident in his works.
The focus on Noli Me Tangere is the exposition of issues concerning society especially with
regards to the characters of Crisostomo Ibarra, Elias, and Pilosopo Tasyo. In El Filibusterismo,
the study centers on Simoun, the lead character, and the revolution he started. The researchers
will analyze and interpret as to what could be Rizals opinion of a revolution through his
characters dialogues and ideas.
After gathering and analyzing all these information, the researchers aim to identify the pattern or
the archetype common among all the six novels then present the conclusion that Rizals writings
indeed influenced the 1896 revolution and started the Filipino resistance and uprising.

Figure II: The conceptual framework

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This study has identified the common idea that Jose Rizal was only limited to being
reformist and has no approval or at least sympathies for a revolution. This study seeks to test this
concept and aims to answer the following questions:
1. What are the similarities between Rizals novels and foreign literature?
2. Whats the common archetype common among the 6 novels?
a. Literary characters

Characteristics / descriptions

3. Was Rizal a reformist or a revolutionary?

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This exploratory and intertextual research aims to prove through the examination of his
texts that Jose Rizal exhibited a revolutionary nature and that he had entertained the idea of an
uprising against the Spanish colonizers. The study will benefit the following:
The Filipinos - Tejano (2011) elaborated in his study that if Filipinos were to aim for a
better nation, it is important to have a more in-depth study of Jose Rizals political ideologies.
In his dissertation, Quibuyen (1996) contradicted the common misconception that asserts
Rizals opposition of the 1896 revolution led by Andres Bonifacio. This, he said, causes a
distortion of the past thus preventing Filipinos from having a better understanding of their
nations history.

Therefore, this study will benefit the Filipinos since this will provide them with a better
understanding of Rizals political thoughts and ideologies and perhaps apply them in the present.
Also, the Filipinos will become more united with a better sense of their history especially since
Jose Rizal became one of the catalysts for their nations independence.
The Historians The researchers expect that through this study, the historians will
provide a more accurate perspective on the life of Rizal to show a clearer image of the renowned
national hero.
The Students This study contains historical context that will help enrich their
knowledge regarding the revolts during the Spanish Colonization Period in the Philippines,
particularly the revolution led by Andres Bonifacio in 1896. The study will also provide a critical
analysis on the different characters of Rizals novels.
The Modern-day Reformists - If proven that Rizal indeed encouraged and expressed
sympathy to revolution through his literary works, this study will help them disseminate their
petitions regarding the reforms they want in the society through the same method Rizal used:
literary texts.

SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS

The study was primarily conducted in order to expose Rizals support regarding the armed
struggle through the examination of his written documents from 1886-1896. This includes Noli
Me Tangere (Translation by Charles Derbyshire, 1912) and El Filibusterismo (Translation by
Charles Derbyshire, 1912). For the review of foreign related literature, the group will focus on
Harriet Beecher Stowes Uncle Toms Cabin (1852), Victor Hugos Les Miserables (1862),

Alexandre Dumas The Count of Monte Cristo (1844), and Niccolo Machiavellis The Prince
(1515).
The researchers are not knowledgeable enough to make valid interpretations of Rizals works.
For this reason, interviews will be conducted with some professionals, who are Grade 9 and
Grade 10 Filipino teachers from St. Scholasticas Academy Marikina for SY 2013-2014, for
additional information and consultation.

DEFINITION OF TERMS
The following terms are defined operationally:
Hero This refers to a person who has attained many goals and has qualities that earns
him the admiration of many. A hero may also refer to a savior.
Revolution This refers to the usually violent attempt by many people to end the rule of
the government and start a new one.
Revolutionary This refers to a person who is in support of or engages in an armed
revolution especially regarding politics.
Archetype This refers to a pattern from which copies can be made, a universal theme
that manifests itself differently on an individual basis.
Reform This refers to the action of improving or changing for the better by removing
or correcting faults and problems gradually.
Reformism This refers to a doctrine, policy, or movement of reform.
Reformist This refers to a person who supports or is an advocate of reformism.

Propaganda This refers to the spreading of ideas, information, or rumor for the
purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause, or a person.
Propagandist This refers to the person who is involved in producing or spreading
propaganda.
Ilustrado This refers to the Filipinos who were able to study and be educated during
the Spanish colonization period.
Indio This refers to how Spanish colonizers call the indigenous Filipinos who belonged
to the bottom of the social class.
Noli Me Tangere This translates to Touch Me Not or Dont Touch Me in English.
El Filibusterismo This translates to The Filibustering in English.
Rebellion This refers to an effort by many people to change the government or order of
a country through the use of protests or violence.
Sedition This refers to the act of doing something that turns people to go against and
disobey their government.
Execution This refers to the act of killing someone especially as punishment for a
crime.

CHAPTER 2
This chapter deals with the review of local and foreign literature and studies relevant to the
proposed study.

RELATED LITERATURE
The review of literature on this study analyzes related literary works in line with the revolution
and with the revolutionary nature of Jose Rizal. Literature about Jose Rizals life and works are
significant to the entire research because it dwells upon Rizals perception of a revolution and his
contribution to the nations history as a reformist. How he had inspired the 1896 revolution led
by Andres Bonifacio and contributed to the nations independence are also significant to this
study.

FOREIGN
According to Alip (1961), Rizal has always been known as a well-traveled man. He went to
foreign lands to study, work, and learn about the different cultures the world has to offer. In his
extensive travels, he picked up a few things from the people and the values that he immersed
himself in. He went around instilling in himself the principles of a true renaissance man. He
educated himself on a wide variety of topics, spanning from the arts, medicine, and even military
tactics though he was still a big purveyor of peace.
During his education in Spain, he engaged in multiple undertakings to fully further enhance his
being. He dabbled in numerous fields such as geography, literature, arts, religion, politics,

science, economy, and sociology. In his study of literature, he was exposed to the thought
provoking and underrated pieces of his time. Being multilingual, he mostly read his books in
their original language such as French, German, English, and Spanish.
In addition, according to Laubach (1936), Uncle Toms Cabin was probably the most prominent
book that Rizal has read which eventually inspired him to write his greatest work, Noli Me
Tangere. The author, Harriet Beecher Stowe, mostly focused on the slavery problem in the south
during the mid to late 19th century. It is a book on anti-slavery and focuses on the life of titular
character Uncle Tom as he tries to survive life as a slave during the pre-civil war era. The whole
of the story opened Rizals eyes to the horrors and evils of slavery and oppression. He even
approached his fellow intelligentsia about writing a book that could possibly affect the
Philippines just as Uncle Toms Cabin affected the United States.
Rizal also read works by Victor Hugo and Alexandre Dumas. Both authors notably have, one
way or another, sparked a certain sense of nationalism in their countrymens hearts. They both
had a penchant for writing about societys underdogs and the outcasts. Through Les Miserables
and The Count of Monte Cristo, the authors showed what it was like in the working class of
Frances seedy underbelly during the 1800s. They showed the oppression that the upperclassmen
enacted on their countrys poor. Jose Rizal was inspired and hoped to do what these great men
did for France. He saw his status as one of the nobility of his country as an opportunity for him
to spread his testimony.
Since Les Miserables also compasses the events during the French Revolution, it can be
concluded that Rizal was well aware of the movement of the bourgeois towards liberty, equality,
and fraternity.

Besides Stowe, Hugo, and Dumas, Rizal also knew Niccolo Machiavelli and had read
Machiavellis The Prince. According to Pocock (1997), Rizal recognizes the dangers that newly
independent countries fall into. Thats why he only wanted to ask for reforms and changes
because he believed that the Philippines needed Spain and that both countries can work together
for progress.
Jose Rizal was a well-read man and behind every great, intelligent man is the support of even
greater books and literature that has, in one way or another, profoundly affected their mind and
way of thinking. His preference shows his nationalistic spirit and his desire for intellectual and
political reform from the Spanish regime.

LOCAL
Besides being a reader, Rizal was a writer as well. He had written quite a number of poems,
essays, and stories since he was young. Being one of the lucky few who were able to study
overseas, Rizal had been aware of and exposed to the liberal ideas in Europe.
Thus began his quest, together with other reformists, for reforms, specifically, equal rights,
assimilation, and representation in the Spanish government. The efforts of the propagandists
were not totally wasted, according to Romero, Santos, and Sta. Romana (2003). The government
was not completely deaf to their cries. Their way of responding was through laws such as the
Provincial Reform of 1886, the Becerra Law, and Maura Law of 1883. These, however, greatly
disappointed the Filipinos because these werent the reforms they were looking for.
Because of this, Rizal never stopped in his quest for social justice, even extending his revolution
against stupidity. He wanted the intellectual of the Filipino society to read his work to be inspired

to take up arms and fight for their freedom. He wanted people to use his work to inspire national
pride that would help them get their country back.
Always thinking about his country, he made plans for their revolt and also started La Liga
Filipina and a Filipino community in Borneo while he was in Hong Kong. He said that the
community was the least he could do if he wouldnt be successful in his reformation.
The idea of nationalism was presented in many works of Rizal, but his first urgent call for
nationalism according to Crisostomo (1999), was in Noli Me Tangere. This novel exposed the
oppression and abuses experienced by the Filipinos from the Spanish administration including
the friars and the civil guards.
Rizal explained that the Latin title Noli Me Tangere meant do not touch me or touch me not
and was taken from the gospel of St. Luke which later turned out to be a mistake since it came
from the gospel of St. John in a letter to Felix Hidalgo in 1887.
The story of Noli Me Tangere starts as Crisostomo Ibarra returns home to San Diego. Having
been exposed to liberal and modern ideas when he stayed in Europe for seven years, he plans to
build a school for the indios with the hopes that education will be the means through which his
country will progress.
Whenever a threat to his life occurs, Ibarra sees Elias, who saves him just in time. Elias, who
turns out to be a descendant of the man oppressed by Ibarras ancestors, seeks Ibarras help
instead of taking revenge on him. He sees the intellectual, modern Ibarra as a catalyst for the
change he wants in the state. He became a spokesperson of the abused and the victims. In the
end, he encourages Ibarra to start a revolution, but Ibarra refuses. Ibarra shows Rizals mindset
that Spain and the Philippines are but one nation wherein loyalty to one is loyalty to the other.

Throughout the novel, many conflicts arose and in the end, Ibarra was accused of starting the
uprising in San Diego and was dubbed an erehe and filibustero. He was excommunicated
from the Church and separated from his childhood friend and lover, Maria Clara. At the end of
the novel, Ibarra escapes his perpetrators and was never heard from for a long time while Elias
died.
Why had Rizal created his characters Crisostomo Ibarra, Maria Clara, Elias, Sisa and his sons
Crispin and Basilio, the de Espadaas, and the friars Salvi and Damaso? These characters
sufferings, their own traits, their greed, and their very lives were a reflection of the Filipinos
themselves. To open his countrymens eyes to the widespread oppression and abuse and to
promote awareness these were Rizals purposes for writing Noli Me Tangere despite having
gone through a lot in the process of writing.
It was through these characters that Rizal expressed his sentiment towards reform and revolution.
In chapter 49 of The Social Cancer (Rizal as translated by Derbyshire, 1912), Rizal shows his
own inner conflict through Ibarra and Elias argument. To revolt or not to?
Through the intellectual Ibarra and vengeful Elias, Rizal realized how the colonizers have
become too deaf to listen to the proposed reforms. Was force the last resort then? Crisostomo
(1999) wrote. A million Ibarras would indeed be useless now.
In the novel, Crisostomo Ibarra as a man accused of many things not of his own doing, just like
Rizal himself. Rizal to the 1896 revolution was like Ibarra to the uprising in San Diego. They
were both accused and found guilty in a crime they did not commit. Some even say that the
revolt in El Filibusterismo was Andres Bonifacios basis for the onset in Manila.

Through the character of Tasyo, on the other hand, Rizal complains of both the people and the
colonizers. According to him, the government sees nothing, hears nothing, nor does it decide
anything, except what the curate of the Provincial causes it to see, hear, and decide.
The Filipinos, too, have their fair share of defects. This people do not complain because it has
no voice, it does not move because it is lethargic. (Chapter 25, Rizal as translated by
Derbyshire, 1912)
Rizal wrote all these because Noli Me Tangere was about the Philippines as a whole. It did not
put the blame solely on the Spanish colonizers because the Filipinos themselves have their own
wrongdoings and defects as portrayed by different characters in the novel.
During and long after the Spanish colonization period, Noli Me Tangere goes unread not solely
because it discusses sensitive matters but also because most people persistently avoid the novel.
That which literally translates to touch me not or dont touch me has indeed become
untouchable.
Noli Me Tangeres sequel, El Filibusterismo, or The Filibustering in English, was Rizals
contribution in acquainting the people with the demands of the revolution so that they would
have sufficient basis for whatever decision they were to take, according to Professor Ricardo
Pascual of the University of the Philippines.
In the story of El Filibusterismo, Simoun, filled with hatred and anger, returns to the Philippines
after 13 years with a plan to overthrow the government. He yields great influence being a jeweler
and an adviser of the captain-general. He encourages the government officials to corrupt and
oppress the people more. In this way, he thinks the people will soon be fed up and start to revolt
against their oppressors.

If in Noli Me Tangere, Ibarra believes that Spain and the Philippines are two parts of one
nation, Simoun in the sequel now wants separation. As he had told Basilio, the youth should
want to be independent, a nation standing on its own two feet instead of wanting to be merely
treated equally and to be a province of Spain, because by that road you will become only a poor
copy, and the people should look higher. So that neither by right, nor custom, nor language,
the Spaniard can be considered the master here, nor even be looked upon as a part of the country,
but ever as an invader, a foreigner, and sooner or later you will have your liberty. (Chapter 7,
Rizal as translated by Derbyshire, 1912) Rizal even told Blumentritt in their February 21, 1887
correspondence that the Filipinos had long wished for hispanization and they were wrong in
aspiring for it. (Jose Rizal National Centennial Commission)
With all these, had Rizal really encouraged the revolution through his texts? Or had he, perhaps,
only wanted to achieve freedom and liberty through peaceful means?
When Pio Valenzuela came to visit him on June 21, 1896, Rizal was faced with a difficult
decision. The Katipuneros were planning to get him out of Talisay, Dapitan and bring him to
Japan. To escape or not to escape? To escape would mean admitting his quilt. According to
Crisostomo (1999), He would be branded a coward, too, and a fugitive. To escape would also
mean supporting the revolution and helping the Philippines to be a free, independent nation. In
the end, Rizal refuses Valenzuelas offer.
Rizals excuses and reasons led to his countrymens frustrations and to another man named
Andres Bonifacio rising up to take action.
At that moment, Jose was thinking of the man Andres Bonifacio whose name hardly rang a bell
in his mind but whose courage, patriotism, and organizational ability impressed and amazed him.
More than thirty thousand members, with thousands more coming in! What kind of a man was

this Gat Andres that he could wield such spell and power over multitudes? His admiration almost
turned to absolute awe and disbelief when Valenzuela told him Bonifacio was a lowly peasant,
without any formal education, born to a family so poor young Andres had to manufacture an sell
canes and paper fans to help feed his younger brothers and sisters, and that he was a simple
warehouseman, bodeguero, at the time he founded the Katipunan. (Joaquin, 1996)

RELATED STUDY
FOREIGN
According to Morris (Jose Rizal and the Challenge of Philippines Independence), the identity of
the Filipino people was not merely determined solely by the contributions of Rizal. Rizal was an
educated man and through him, Bonifacio and the Katipunan had become successful. This
proved his strong influence among the oppressed Filipinos who have long been suffering. If
Rizal had not spearheaded the enlightenment of the Filipinos, there wouldnt be a Philippine
nation. Rizal has accustomed that the success of the revolution is the result of the participation of
all the sectors of the society. Rizal believed that his aspirations for the country could be attained
by peaceful means, but in an article in La Solidaridad entitled, The Philippines a Century
Hence, he acknowledged what could possibly happen throughout the process.
The real personality of Dr. Jos Rizal remains as an undisclosed case in the Philippines today.
Though Rizal is acknowledged as a national hero, several criticisms still arise from his enemies.
Time tests all of historys greatest figures and how much the critics try to bring Rizal down.
Undeniably through his writings, Rizal has enlightened and uplifted the spirit of nationalism
among his countrymen. Also through his works, Rizal paved the way by creating the authentic

identity of Filipinos. Not only did Rizal sacrifice his own life for the love of the country, but
more importantly for the relevance of humanity and in preparation for the generations to come.
Being one of the few privileged Filipinos who were able to study, Jose Rizal had many
achievements as a student. He had many skills and talents such as drawing and sculpting. But
perhaps two of the most notable of these achievements are his novels Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo. It was through these works that eventually result to the countrys freedom from
the Spanish colonizers.
Morris (Jose Rizal and the Challenge of Philippines Independence) lays Rizals life and works
side by side with that of Mohandas Ghandhi and Rabindranath Tagore in India and Sun Yat-sen
in China. This First Filipino, together with the aforementioned men, acted as a catalyst for the
ideas of liberty and equality among his countrymen, especially as these Filipinos are struggling
to get a hold of their national identity after hundreds of years under colonizers.
The Noli Me Tangere is a reflection of the Filipino society during the Spanish era. According to
Craig (1913), it was a mirror of Philippine life. Through the different characters, Rizal
portrayed characters as if they were true-to-life. This, perhaps, was a result of spending a lot of
time in the church near their home when he was still a young boy not to pray or hear Mass but to
watch and observe people. Because he could not do it all on his own, Rizal asked his
countrymens help. He wanted their full cooperation, or else everything will be in vain. It will be
the Filipinos fault, he said, if they had been abused and robbed of their rights and did not
complain or do anything about it. As always, Rizal believed that education is the key to the most
awaited freedom.

In the Noli Me Tangeres sequel, El Filibusterismo, Ibarra returns to the Philippines in disguise.
He seeks revenge against the society that turned against him and his ancestors and separated him
from his loved one. If, in the Noli Me Tangere, Rizal seems to be opposing violence through
Ibarras refusal to join the uprising in San Diego, he now seems to be advocating the use of force
through the character of Simoun in the El Filibusterismo.
Through both the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, he had shown the effects of the
Spanish colonization on the Filipinos and the numerous possibilities if ever Spain stays any
longer. By the time these works were in circulation, Rizal believed he had done all he could.

LOCAL
According to Floro Quibuyens study Imagining the Nation: Rizal, American Hegemony and
Philippine Nationalism (1996), there were two ideas that perpetuated in the late 19th century.
The first idea states that it wasnt primarily Rizals goal to create an independent Filipino nation
but, instead, the hispanization of the Philippines. The second one centers on Rizals La Liga
Filipina and Bonifacios Katipunan as it asserts Bonifacio as a poor laborer and that Katipunan
was an organization for the poor and ignorant.
With regards to the first concept, it was emphasized that as early as 1887, Rizal has expressed
that independence through peaceful struggle is nothing but a dream and that seeking assimilation
to Spain was a mistake, as stated in his two letters to his friend Ferdinand Blumentritt in 1887.
Rizals last poem was disseminated to the revolutionaries through Bonifacios translation. Rizals
words were sin dudas, sin pesar or without doubts, without gloom as translated by Nick
Joaquin meant that Rizal had a better understanding of the war that was going on. He is in some

ways connected to it. He admires those who are fighting, but he does not entirely agree with their
means.
According to Quibuyen (1996), when Rizal chose to die in martyrdom in 1896, the revolutionary
masses immediately turned to him as an inspiration for the revolution. His life and works were
viewed as a reenactment of the Pasyon wherein Christs suffering, death and resurrection were
portrayed. To them, Rizals martyrdom marked him as the Tagalog Christ.
Dr. Jose Rizal is known to many as a reformist who wanted peace and reforms in the Philippines.
But in his novel, El Filibusterismo, the second installment of his famous work Noli Me Tangere,
revolution was quite vivid in the character of Simoun. Formerly known as Don Crisostomo
Ibarra, Simoun returns to the story to avenge the death of his love Maria Clara and take revenge
on those who maltreated him.
Simoun plotted two revolutions during the course of the story but both were unsuccessful.
According to Tejano (2011), this certain event caused a number of questions to arise about Rizal
not letting the two revolutions happen. If the style Rizal used in creating both revolutions was
further examined, it can be found that Simoun used the different classes in the society to cause a
huge chaos that would wreck the social system of colonialism from the inside.
The revolution in the novel was ultimately based on emotions and not on intellectual means. In
fact, it seems to be that Rizal made sure that these two revolutions never happen. When Simoun
found out about Maria Claras death, the first revolution did not push through. The same goes for
the second one, due to Isaganis love for Paulita, he snatched the lamp containing the bomb and
the second revolution was no more. Rizals message is clear: a revolution should not be based on

pure emotion. There should be a deeper reason and the people involved in it should have a better
understanding of these reasons. As what Father Florentino said to Simoun in the latter part of the
story, when our people is unprepared, when it enters the fight through fraud and force, without a
clear understanding of what it is doing, the wisest attempts will fail, and better that they do fail.
(Chapter 39, Rizal as translated by Derbyshire, 1912)

SUMMARY
This review of both literature and studies has enriched this research by providing a more in-depth
analysis of Rizals two novels, including his characters, the dialogues, and the setting, and by
showing his several influences.
Besides having been educated both in the Philippines and overseas, Jose Rizal was an avid
reader, which especially shaped his thinking, speaking, and writing. Stowes Uncle Toms Cabin,
Hugos Les Miserables, Dumas The Count of Monte Cristo, and Machiavellis The Prince
became the motivation and inspiration for Rizals Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. The
characters in his own literary works reflected Rizals past, as well as his own opinion and ideas.
However, Rizal has made it clear through his works that the fault is not only on the Spanish
colonizers because the Filipinos themselves have their own fair share of shortcomings.
These six literary works were found out to contain a common archetype which is parallel to John
Lockes Second Treatise on Civil Government which states that the people, when driven by their
rulers to misery through oppression and abuse, tend to revolt to achieve freedom.
In addition, this review strengthened the researchers stand that Rizal was not only a reformist,
but a revolutionary as well based on an in-depth analysis of two of his literary works. This

chapter also emphasizes on Rizal being a catalyst for the beginning of the revolution given his
influences on Andres Bonifacio for the 1896 revolt.
At one point, Rizal himself had been tempted to ignite a revolution against the Spanish regime,
but he reconsidered many factors such as weaponry, proper timing, etc. Without all these, he had
predicted that the Filipinos were bound to lose, no matter how noble their intentions are. Also, he
made it a point that a revolution should not be fueled by self-interest, as made evident by his
literary characters. However, he was also aware of the fact that the proposed reforms are set to be
rejected, and so he believed in the inevitability of starting a revolution only under the right
circumstances.
His works may have been banned from universities and deemed untouchable, and Rizal may
have been sentenced to death by firing squad in Bagumbayan, but his influence to the Filipinos
will remain long after his death.

CHAPTER 3
The purpose of the study is to prove through the examination of his texts that Jose Rizal
exhibited a revolutionary nature and that he had entertained the idea of an uprising against the
Spanish colonizers. The purposes of this chapter are to describe the methodology used in the
study, explain how the respondents were identified, what sampling technique was used, describe
the procedure used in collecting the data, and provide an explanation of the statistical tool used
to interpret the data.

METHOD OF RESEARCH
A historical method of research was used for this study. Series of literary examinations were
conducted in order to intensify the search for intertextual connections among the selected
documents and accounts. In this study, the researchers used secondary sources. An interview was
also administered among the identified individuals, the Grade 9 and Grade 10 Filipino teachers,
who are knowledgeable in the field of study. The study generally calls for massive facts, ideas
and previous studies which will support the researchers claim of Rizal exhibiting a revolutionary
nature through his texts. The study also used foreign literature to look for the revolutionary
archetype explained in the first chapter of this study. The researchers chose a historical method
of research and designed a questionnaire for interview in order to systematically establish the
certain facts that will attempt to prove that Jose Rizal was a revolutionary.

RESPONDENTS / SUBJECTS OF THE STUDY

For this study, the technique used to identify the respondents is the criterion sampling technique.
Patton (1990) wrote that criterion sampling identifies subjects who fall under the specified
criteria, thus ensuring the quality of the response. Through this technique, the predetermined
criteria can also filter only the information-rich cases that are to be used for the research. For this
case, the researchers have identified the criteria to be:
a.) St. Scholasticas Academy Marikina teachers for the school year 2013-2014

SUBJECT AREA
CLE

FACULTY
Mrs. Carolyn Soriano
Mrs. Myra Tingson
Ms. Cheril Acquiatan
Mr. Dexter Gonzales
Mrs. Teresa Pangilinan

FILIPINO

Mrs. Marycil Labasan

Mrs. Myra Guirre
Mrs. Laniflor Adigue
Mrs. Rowena Pantaleon

Mrs. Elsie Ramirez

Mrs. Sheryl Cinco

ENGLISH

Mrs. Ma. Concepcion De Dios

Mrs. Menere Nasiad
Ms. Janina Iglesias
Mrs. Grace Abdon
Ms. Ma. Cecilia De Leon
Ms. Charity Faith Faminialagao
Mrs. Anita Ramos
Ms. Sherlyn Caluma

MATHEMATICS

Mrs. Catherine Patrocinio

Ms. Merlina Motas
Mrs. Nelia Zafra
Mrs. Lina Sierra
Mrs. Rosario Armada
Ms. Anunciacion Gabor

Dr. Joselito Pascual

Mrs. Rowena Zamora

SCIENCE

Ms. Josephine Tiongson

Ms. Cynthia Delos Reyes
Ms. Mary Glorace Jacob
Mrs. Rhodora Benito
Mr. Reynald Alfred Recede
Mr. Amor Mallari
Mrs. Karen Cardinoza
Mrs. Ma. Isabelita Soriano

SOCIAL STUDIES

Mrs. Marilou Pacis

Ms. Cecilia Manalastas
Mrs. Rowena Dela Pea
Mr. Mar Evan Morales
Ms. Ailyn Anagaran
Ms. Beverly Grace Abergos

TLE

Mrs. Jill Ann Dayag

Ms. Charisse Gueco
Ms. Jemelyn Arzaga
Ms. Eva Jaravata
Mr. Arman Odevillas

MAPEH

Ms. Rosita Aspilan

Ms. Rowena Raquidan
Mrs. Ingrid Delfino
Ms. Marlyn Paghubasan
Ms. Jenifer Biglang-awa
Ms. Janice Derilo
Mrs. Gloria Diuco

TOTAL: 53
b.) Teachers from the Filipino area

FILIPINO

Mrs. Marycil Labasan

Mrs. Myra Guirre

Mrs. Laniflor Adigue
Mrs. Rowena Pantaleon
Mrs. Elsie Ramirez
Mrs. Sheryl Cinco
TOTAL: 6
c.) Grade 9 and Grade 10 teachers

Mrs. Laniflor Adigue

Mrs. Rowena Pantaleon
Mrs. Elsie Ramirez
Mrs. Marycil Labasan
Mrs. Sheryl Cinco
TOTAL: 5
Thus, the criteria narrowed the respondents into five teachers, namely Mrs. Laniflor Adigue,
Mrs. Rowena Pantaleon, Mrs. Marycil Labasan, Mrs. Sheryl Cinco, and Mrs. Elsie Ramirez.

RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS

The questionnaire that will be used in the study was developed by the researchers. It will gather
additional information about the analysis and interpretation of Rizals two literary works from
people who are knowledgeable about the topic. The respondents were chosen using the criterion
sampling technique.
Question number one first listed some of Rizals life experiences (Rizals education at the Ateneo
Municipal de Manila, his plan to hold the land on which he was the universitys tenant, his exile
in Dapitan, the imprisonment of his mother, Teodora Alonzo, and his friendship and
correspondence with Ferdinand Blumentritt) which may have possibly inspired the revolutionary
idea in his novels. The respondents are to choose as many as possible from given options.
Question number two presented a previous finding that Jose Rizals literary characters mirrored
his own self. The interviewee is to check the box of the character that is most likely to be a
reflection of Rizal himself. There should only be one answer. The choices are Crisostomo Ibarra,
Elias, Pilosopo Tasyo, Simoun, Kabesang Tales, and Basilio, who are all main characters from
Rizals two novels. These options were chosen as they were the names commonly found in the
review of related literature. If the interviewee has an answer which is not among the choices,
there is an option wherein he or she can specify his or her specific answer. In this item, the
interviewee is already presented the choices so as to avoid having too many possible answers.
The third question examines the interviewees opinion as to how Rizal may have influenced the
Filipinos idea of patriotism and liberty in general terms, such as in education, politics, etc. This
item addresses the first question in the statement of the problem, which is about how Rizal could
have inspired a revolution through his texts.

The fourth item asks for the interviewees opinion as to whether or not Jose Rizal was a
reformist. If his or her answer is yes, then he or she is to state the reasons why this was so. If the
answer is no, then the interviewee is to move on to the next item.
The fifth item asks for the interviewees opinion as to whether or not Jose Rizal was a
revolutionist. If the answer is yes, then the interviewee is to state how he or she came up with
this conclusion.
There are five questions presented in the questionnaire. These questions were developed from
previous findings in the review of related literature and studies and also from the statement of the
problem. The questionnaire was formulated in accordance to the guidelines set by Miller
(Tipsheet: Question Wording) for making an effective questionnaire.
1. Avoid double-barreled questions.
2. Avoid erroneous assumptions.
3. Clarify ambiguous and imprecise terms or break them down into several questions.
4. Define terms very specifically when necessary.
5. Avoid loaded, leading, emotional, or evocative language as it can bias responses.
6. Avoid confusing, technical, or academic terms.
7. Balance questions to make positive and negative responses ok.
8. Consider providing counterarguments in the question itself.

9. Avoid complex sentences

The answers to the questions rely mostly on the interviewees opinion and perspective and will
be used as additional information for the conclusion.

DATA GATHERING PROCEDURE

The data for this research are gathered from the questionnaires that were disseminated to the
Grade 9 and Grade 10 Filipino teachers in St. Scholasticas Academy Marikina for SY 20132014 namely: Mrs. Laniflor Adigue, Mrs. Rowena Pantaleon, Mrs. Marycil Labasan, Mrs. Sheryl
Cinco, and Mrs. Elsie Ramirez. The questionnaire, given to the respondents on February 2014, is
comprised of five comprehensive questions that are related to the interviewees perception about
the idea of Rizal being a revolutionary aside from the eminent fact that he is a reformist. The
questionnaire was first sent through e-mail to the English teacher, Ms. Sherlyn Caluma, to ensure
that the questions formulated will strongly generate information that would validate the research,
before the questionnaires were to be distributed to the respondents.
The researchers did not conduct any survey since the research does not require the opinions of
the population who do not meet the criteria set using the Criterion Sampling Technique. This
technique was applied in order to obtain substantial data from people who are directly involved
in this field of study.
All the questionnaires are properly organized and compiled for analysis. The respondents
returned the questionnaires also in February 2014. However, some of the respondents failed to
answer some of the items due to unknown reasons. Also, one option in the first item in the
questionnaire (Exile in Dapitan) was found to be invalid since Rizals exile in Dapitan happened

after his two novels were already published and in circulation. Substantial information gathered
will be used for analysis and conclusion.

CHAPTER 4

This chapter presents the data gathered and collected. The data was gathered from the respondents chosen
through the criterion sampling technique. The data will be processed to answer the problems presented in
the first chapter of this study and will act as additional information for the conclusion.
The questionnaire was developed by the researchers and followed the guidelines set by Miller (2013).
These questionnaires were disseminated to the respondents on February 2014. Four out of the five
respondents returned the questionnaires, resulting to an 80% response rate.
The following are the contents of the questionnaire.
Question 1- Which among Rizals life experiences listed below paved the way for the inclusion of
revolutionary thoughts in his novels: Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo? (Choose as many as
possible.)
One of the choices (Exile in Dapitan) in the first question was found out to be invalid after the
questionnaires were disseminated to the respondents. The option is invalid since Rizals two novels were
already published before he was exiled in Dapitan and so this life experience may not be a possible
inspiration for his novels. The researchers, in the findings analysis, did not consider Exile in Dapitan as
an answer if ever the respondents included that option.
Question 2- According to previous studies, Rizals main characters reflected his own self. Which of the
following characters may have been Rizals mirror? (Choose only one.)
If the respondents select the option Crisostomo Ibarra, Pilosopo Tasyo, or Basilio, it will imply that
Rizal was a reformist whereas when the option Simoun, Kabesang Tales, or Elias is selected,
Rizals identity as a revolutionist will be implied.
Question 3- How did Rizal's novels, Noli me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, develop the idea of Filipinos
regarding patriotism and freedom in general (education, politics, socioeconomic status, etc.)?

Question 4- Given the theoretical bases in Questions #1 and #2, do you personally believe that Rizal was
a REFORMIST? (If yes, what makes you say so? If no, skip to #5.)
Question 5- Given the theoretical bases in Questions #1 and #2, do you personally believe that Rizal was
a REVOLUTIONIST? (If yes, what makes you say so?)

Mrs. Elsie Ramirez

Mrs. Laniflor Adigue

Mrs. Rowena
Pantaleon

Mrs. Marycil
Labasan

Question 1

Imprisonment of
Teodora Alonzo

Imprisonment of
Teodora Alonzo

Rizal attends Ateneo

Municipal de Manila
as a day scholar,
Rizals father was
compelled to prove
that he had no
knowledge of his
sons plan in order to
hold the land on
which he was the
universitys tenant,
imprisonment of
Teodora Alonzo

No response

Question 2

Crisostomo Ibarra,
Elias, Pilosopo Tasyo,
Simoun, Kabesang
Tales, Basilio, Isagani,
Placido Penitente

Elias

Crisostomo Ibarra

Crisostomo Ibarra

Question 3

Both novels show

what was truly
happening to the
country and people at
that time.

When Filipinos seek

for justice, love,
peace, and order

No response

The abusive scenario

in his novels, unjust
treatment among the
characters made a ca
of freedom and
patriotism.

Question 4

He was a reformist
he wanted changes in
politics, education,
and religion.

Rizal was neither a

reformist nor a
revolutionist. He was
considered a
propagandist.

No response

Yes, he reveals in his

two novels the issues
that need to be
corrected, reformed,
and changed.

Question 5

He was a revolutionist
also but a silent one.
He would not speak
about it openly but
uses his writings to
show one side of him
which some of his
characters in his
novels portray.

Answer not applicable

No response

Answer not applicab

Figure III: Presentation of data

CHAPTER 5
SUMMARY
The purposes of this study evolve around Jose Rizal and his revolutionary nature what
techniques he had used in his novels to encourage a revolution, his own opinion of an armed
struggle based on his own texts, and a pattern common among his novels and other foreign
literature. This study required a critical examination of Rizals literary works, more specifically,
Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. The foreign works included were Uncle Toms Cabin by
Harriet Beecher Stowe, Victor Hugos Les Miserables, Alexandre Dumas The Count of Monte
Cristo, and Niccolo Machiavellis The Prince. Literature about Rizals life, works, and
contributions to the country, as well as previously made studies related to the topic, were
significant to this study.
To make this research more valid, the researchers made interviews with experts, who were
chosen through the criterion sampling technique. Through this technique, the respondents were

narrowed down to five of the Grade 9 and Grade 10 Filipino teachers from St. Scholasticas
Academy Marikina in the school year 2013-2014. The research instrument used was developed
by the researchers and followed the guidelines set by Miller (Tipsheet: Question Wording).
The questionnaire was developed by the researchers and given to the respondents on February
2014. The first question aimed to know what life instances of Rizal could have possibly
influenced his two novels. Question number two of the research instrument listed Rizals main
literary characters (Crisostomo Ibarra, Elias, Pilosopo Tasyo, Simoun, Kabesang Tales, and
Basilio) and the respondents were to choose which of the characters reflected Rizal the most. If
the respondents select the option Crisostomo Ibarra, Pilosopo Tasyo, or Basilio, it will
imply that Rizal was a reformist whereas when the option Simoun, Kabesang Tales, or
Elias is selected, Rizals identity as a revolutionist will be implied. Finally, the last three
questions are opinion-based. The respondents were asked how Rizals novels had developed the
Filipinos idea of freedom. Lastly, the respondents were to decide whether Rizal was a reformist
or a revolutionist and give the rationale for this conclusion.
The data gathered from the interviews as well as from the critical examination of literature
addressed the problems presented in the first chapter of this research paper. This data also helped
in the formulation of the conclusion.

CONCLUSION
After the intertextual study and interviews conducted, the researchers have identified several
similarities among Rizals two novels and foreign literature.

In Stowes Uncle Toms Cabin, religion played a big role in the lives of the character. This is
similar to how the characters in Rizals Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo lived their lives.
The only difference is that Uncle Toms faith played a positive role in his life while Christianity
in Rizals two novels is portrayed with abusive and corrupt friars such as Padre Damaso, Padre
Camorra, Padre Salvi, etc. Also, there were sexual abuses experienced in both novels. For
example, Maria Claras real father was Padre Damaso, who raped Pia Alba, Maria Claras
mother. Although not stated exactly in the novel, it is implied that Maria Clara suffered sexual
abuses inside the convent. In Uncle Toms Cabin, Emmeline was a sex slave to Simon Legree,
the owner of the plantation.
In Hugos Les Miserables, Jean Valjean is similar to Crisostomo Ibarra. Both were wronged and
judged by society. Marius, in a way, is also similar to Ibarra. Marius, a part of the insurrection,
mirrors Simoun in the revolution. As Marius became the voice for the oppressed in the
revolution, Elias also became the spokesman for his countrymen while planning the uprising.
In The Count of Monte Cristo, Rizals Crisostomo Ibarra and Dumas Edmond Dantes shared
many similarities. Among these is when Crisostomo Ibarra returned to the Philippines as Simoun
to seek revenge from the people who condemned him. As in The Count of Monte Cristo,
Edmond Dantes returns to Marseilles as Zatarra to avenge his being imprisoned despite being
innocent. Also, Simoun became a rich jeweler while Zatarra found the treasures of Spada and
used it to make himself the count of Monte Cristo.
The themes in Machiavellis The Prince are similar to some of the characters principles. For
example, Machiavellis idea of self-preservation and self-interest (Chapter 3, 1515) is like

Simouns way of thinking. Let the unfit perish and only the strongest survive! (Chapter 7,
Rizal as translated by Derbyshire, 1912)
Moreover, the researchers found the revolutionary archetype common among Rizals works and
other foreign literature. This pattern, first presented by John Locke in his Second Treatise on
Civil Government, explains that when leaders or rulers become abusive of their power, it leads to
the peoples misery. This misery will urge the people to revolt against their leaders to achieve
liberty.
First, in Rizals two novels, the revolutionary archetype is evident in Elias and Simoun. As was
mentioned earlier, Elias from Noli Me Tangere, experienced injustices as if he inherited them
from his grandfather, his father and his uncle, and even his twin sister. Since he had met
Crisostomo Ibarra, whom he knew to be influential and intelligent, he wanted Ibarra to work
with him in an armed struggle for freedom.
Simoun from El Filibusterismo, on the other hand, is actually Crisostomo Ibarra back for
revenge. He encouraged greed and corruption in the government to push the people to their limits
and revolt. Kabesang Tales, after having his land taken from him by a corporation, his daughter
Juli taken in as a slave, and his father Tandang Selo imprisoned, decided to work with the tulisan.
According to Simoun, The evil is not in that there are tulisanes in the mountains and
uninhabited partsthe evil lies in the tulisanes in the towns and cities, (Chapter 11, Rizal as
translated by Derbyshire, 1912) like himself and like all the government officials and friars.
Kabesang Tales was one of those whom Simoun planned the revolt with.
In Stowes Uncle Toms Cabin, the masters, although some were kind, still end up selling their
slaves, treating them more as objects rather than people. Simon Legree of the Legree plantation

was an abusive master to his slaves. The abuses were not only beatings, but also sexual
harassments and religious persecution. Although Uncle Tom did not fight back, he rebelled
against Legree by still secretly reading the Bible and helping the other slaves instead of beating
them. In the end, freedom came to Uncle Tom too late, just as he was about to die a martyr death.
The rigid social structures were the cause of the injustices in Hugos Les Miserables. Problems
like the maltreatment of women and faulty justice system urged the people to the movements,
insurrections, and barricades of the French Revolution.
When the captain of the ship died, Edmond Dantes of Dumas The Count of Monte Cristo was
tasked to deliver a letter Napoleon Bonaparte, who was exiled in the island of Elba. Napoleon
was a prominent figure during the French Revolution, and he eventually became the emperor of
the French Empire. The Count of Monte Cristo presented many Bonapartist ideas. Edmond
Dantes was against the political injustices especially in regards to the punishment for different
crimes. Like Bonaparte, Dantes wanted individual rights. The tyranny in politics was explained
by Noirtier. In politics . . . there are no men, but ideasno feelings, but interests; in politics we
do not kill a man, we only remove an obstacle. (Dumas, 1844) Having been framed, Dantes was
denounced and imprisoned since Bonapartist ideas were illegal. Fourteen years in prison instilled
patience and the longing to be free in Dantes. He became friends with Abbe Faria and learned of
the treasures awaiting him in Monte Cristo. When Abbe Faria was found dead, Dantes pretended
to be the corpse. As the supposed-to-be corpse was thrown out into the sea, Dantes swims his
way to freedom and to revenge.
Machiavellis The Prince discussed how it is better to be feared than loved. The revolutionary
archetype in The Prince is in the perspective of the leader. According to Machiavelli, the abuses

must be done at once so that the people may easily recover from them and they will have no
chance to harbor rebellious thoughts. The favors and good deeds, however, must be done slowly
and not at once so their impact would last longer. If ever the ruler does not follow Machiavellis
rule and does the abuses for a long time, the people will begin to revolt to displace their leader.
Also, the researchers conclude that Rizals writings indeed were a catalyst for the 1896
revolution led by Andres Bonifacio. Joaquin (1996) explained how Simouns first planned revolt
was the Bonifacios basis for the onset in Manila. According to Professor Ricardo Pascual of the
University of the Philippines, El Filibusterismo was somehow a manual for a revolution, wherein
Rizal implied the needs and demands of an uprising.
Finally, the researchers therefore conclude that Jose Rizal is both a reformist and a revolutionist.
By definition, a reformist is one who advocates for change to an existing problem or fault. A
revolutionist, on the other hand, is one who engages in an armed attempt to end the rule of the
government and start a new one. According to Gillego (1990), Rizal favored both revolution and
reformism. However, as according to Rizals letter to Ferdinand Blumentritt on January 26, 1887,
a peaceful struggle shall always be a dream, (Jose Rizal National Centennial Commission)
which means he had known all along that reformism could lead nowhere. This statement of Rizal
can also be interpreted as his admission of the inevitability of a revolution. However, he only
saw revolution as a second option if ever reformism was to fail.
Through his two literary works, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, Rizal depicted his
opinions of both reformism and revolution. His characters, such as Pilosopo Tasyo and
Crisostomo Ibarra, portrayed the reformist Rizal. The two figures only wanted change in the
existing government. They wanted education, equal rights, hispanization, etc. Crisostomo Ibarra

even believed that Spain and the Philippines are two parts of one nation and that loyalty to
one is loyalty to the other. Pilosopo Tasyo, also, knew that Ibarra was to fail. However, some
grain would have survived the catastrophe to grow and save the species from destruction and to
serve afterwards as the seed for the sons of the dead sower. The example may encourage others
who are only afraid to begin. This can be interpreted as Rizal believing that even though he may
fail in his reforms, others will be inspired to continue where he had left off.
Elias and Simoun embodied the revolutionist Rizal. These two characters, in Noli Me Tangere
and El Filibusterismo respectively, were revolutionists for a reason. Elias, a man of misfortunes,
encouraged Ibarra to start a revolution. He enumerated the reasons: the inhuman punishments,
tyrant government officials, etc. He even believed that the Philippines was suffering from a
chronic malady, and that Spain was a bad doctor who seeks only to destroy or stifle the
symptoms without an effort to examine into the origin of the malady, or, when knowing it, fears
to attack it.
Simoun, on the other hand, had an even greater tactic. He worked his way into the government
and, when he became the captain-generals adviser, he hastened the corruption. This way, he
believed, the people will be soon fed up with the abuses and oppression that they will be urged to
revolt. He even disapproved of hispanization and the Filipinos education in the Spanish
language because he believed that language is the thought of the people. If the people preserve
their own language, they preserve their own identity. It was through these two characters that
Rizal presented his revolutionary ideas.
According to Zaide (1999), Ibarra and Elias represented Rizal himself. Since Ibarra is
considered as a reformist and Elias as a revolutionary, it can be concluded that Zaide believed in

Rizals reformist-revolutionary nature. Gillego (1990) explained how reform and revolution are
not totally opposites. According to Crisostomo (1999), Rizal believed in both means. Rizal even
admired Andres Bonifacio, the founder of the Katipunan, according to Joaquin (1996).
Constantino (1970), a Rizalist, proved that Jose Rizal did approve of the thought of an armed
revolution through different literary and historical references. For example, the characters in his
novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo depicted their attraction to the thought of
revolution. The case of Elias from Noli Me Tangere and Kabesang Tales from El Filibusterismo,
who were both abused by Spanish authorities, proves that an armed struggle for freedom is
needed. Also, the plots of these novels showed that Rizal believed that the reasons to revolt
against Spain are valid.
Quibuyen (1996) stressed how Rizals martyrdom inspired the revolutionary masses of his time,
even up to the extent that Rizals name and words became the rallying cry in times of struggle
whether in triumph or defeat. Tejano (2011) believed in Rizals revolutionary nature with the
question, how could the Katipunan have used Rizal if he really were nothing more than a
staunch reformist?
However, according to Ramirez E. (2014), Rizal was a reformist he wanted changes in
politics, education, and religion, and he was a revolutionary also, but a silent one. If Rizal
indeed was also a revolutionary, how come he did not rally side by side with Bonifacio during
onsets and movements?
According to Joaquin (1996), the lack of everything, from the right timing to the sufficient
weapons, was Rizals excuse for not being able to fight for the countrys independence so openly.
He was not against the objective, but the means of obtaining it. When Simoun asked Padre

Florentino as to why God did not support his plans of a revolution, the priest answered it was
because Simoun chose means that He could not sanction. (Chapter 39, Rizal as translated by
Derbyshire, 1912)
Rizal is an advocate of both reform and revolution, according to Crisostomo (1999). The
reformist Rizal wanted a Filipino representative in the Spanish Cortes and the freedom of the
press, and disapproved of the friars meddling with education. The revolutionary Rizal, on the
other hand and ironically enough, believed that the Spanish colonizers would not approve nor
listen to the reforms. Therefore, these reforms will be acted upon by force. The only problem was
that the Filipinos were bound to lose in case of an uprising due to inferiority in everything: in
weapons, resources and experiences, and this problem was Rizals reason for not joining the
revolution.
Also, through Simouns two unsuccessful revolutions in El Filibusterismo, it can be concluded
that Rizal wanted to make it clear to the people that a revolution should not be based on personal
intentions. According to Padre Florentino, however much wise the plan is, if the people involved
are unprepared and do not clearly understand the cause of the uprising, the plan will fail. To
Rizal, a revolution must have a deeper meaning, and the people involved in it should have a
proper understanding of what is going on. Also, the time should be right, the people prepared,
and the arms sufficient.

RECOMMENDATION
The following recommendations are presented to further improve this study for future
researchers.

1. Interviews with professors specializing in Rizal studies and historians are recommended
instead of Grade 9 and Grade 10 Filipino teachers. This may provide a more in-depth
perspective and analysis especially if the researchers were to dwell more on Rizals
principles and mindsets.
2. The group also recommends for future researchers to seek help from English teachers
regarding archetypes and parallelisms in literature.
3. The researchers only used six literary works: Rizals Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, Stowes Uncle Toms Cabin, Hugos Les Miserables, Dumas The Count
of Monte Cristo, and Machiavellis The Prince. For future researchers, it is recommended
to use more literary works in finding the revolutionary archetype. An example would be
Dickens A Tale of Two Cities.
4. For this study, the books that the researchers used were limited only to those found in St.
Scholasticas Academy Marikina high school library. It is recommended that books from
other libraries be used as well.

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Retrieved on http://www.slideshare.net/neilregalado/rizal-chapter-8 (Slide 7 of 7) October 8, 2013