Select 1 question to discuss.

 

1. From the various scenes and descriptions of the Spanish friars such as Camorra, Salví, Sibyla, Irene et al., what can we deduce about their position in the colonial hierarchy? How do they view the locals or indios? What can we infer about Rizal's own views on the friars?

 

2. In contrast, Father Florentino is a secular priest, an indio, and Rizal's portrait of him is very different from that of the Spanish friars. Discuss some of these differences, and what might have been Rizal's intent in positing such differences.

 

3. Discuss Cabesang Tales's decline from successful farmer and upright town official to a vengeful outlaw. Why does he resort to the use of arms? What can we deduce about the state of land distribution and ownership in the islands during the Spanish colonial period?

Please refer to the explanation for the answer.

Step-by-step explanation

Item No. 2

In the story, El Filibusterismo, written by the national hero, Jose P. Rizal, Padre Florentino was the only Filipino (indio) priest since indio priests are only assistants of the spanish friars then. While Padre Florentino is a kind-hearted and generous to the people, especially to the Filipinos, the spanish friars, in the story, like Padre Damaso, is an arrogant and a shameless loudmouth priest. Rizal's purpose of portraying these differences is to convey a message that despite the lack of knowledge and education to the Filipinos, they have better personalities than those who are learned and educated. It is through this showing of the differences that Rizal transmitted a message to the Filipinos not to tolerate the oppression of the spanish friars. Lastly, Rizal would want the Filipinos to still instill in their hearts the trait of benevolence despite the abuse and tyranny of the spaniards during the spanish colonization.