SUTINGCO, Benjch Adonis Dominic Macalintal

BSHM701

A. Is the teaching of Rizal's Life and Works course realistic given the dangers and sensitivities of
literature as a means of communication in learning nationalism, patriotism, and volunteerism?

- Given the risks and sensitivity of literature as a means of teaching nationalism, patriotism, and

volunteerism, I believe that teaching Rizal's Life and Works is realistic. This is for the reason that

it doesn't really encourage rebellion or destruction to every Filipino's education and mindset,

despite the fact that it teaches us the value of being a Filipino and how we will go on to fight for

our rights without being looked down upon by others. The historical viewpoint it provides is one

of the Rizal’s Life and Works course's main advantages. College ang high-school students can get

a deep understanding of the complicated social and political environment of Rizal's era, which will

improve their knowledge of the long history of the Philippines and the principles of nationalism

and patriotism. Students can have a deeper understanding of the difficulties suffered by those

before them and the sacrifices made for the nation's liberation by studying Rizal's words and

activities.

However, the sensitivity surrounding Rizal's works shouldn't discourage others from studying

them. Instead, it should be a challenge and trials that students must face in order to explore and

learn critically. In my own opinion, schools should carefully guide students from these subjects

while promoting different viewpoints and critical thinking. It's important to maintain a balance

between the course of study and other sides of history and culture in order to provide students

with a proper education. Additionally, by relating Rizal's thoughts to the problems and difficulties

that our society is currently facing, professors can show current significance. This strategy

encourages the students to become knowledgeable and active citizens by enabling them to

recognize how their studies have real-world applications.

These teaching strategies are essential to the success of this Rizal’s life and work course. A deeper

awareness of Rizal's life and works can be encouraged through active learning, dialogues, and

projects. To address sensitivities and encourage healthy conversations, it is essential to create a

asking questions.

As a conclusion, we students must be aware and open minded of what really is the meaning of

nationalism, patriotism, and volunteerism as the main point of Rizal’ life and works. We should be

able to determine how are we going to do it, promote it, expand it, and most of all act on it with

a proper guidance without ending up with the wrong life and twisted impatience. I can ay that

teaching of Rizal's Life and Works course is realistic given the dangers and sensitivities of literature

as a means of communication in learning nationalism, patriotism, and volunteerism because in

today’ generation, life is an open book, meaning that we all have different perspectives, we just

have to be aware and knowledgeable of what we are learning and doing as a student. Also, it

became realistic despite those dangers and sensitivities because even though it has that

challenges, many students are still learning and motivated to this subject course because of the

impact of Jose Rizal’s Life and works that shape us of what we know about nationalism, patriotism,

and volunteerism.

B. How important are literary criticisms in the study of Rizal's Life and Works?

- The study of Jose Rizal's Life and Works is not only a learning experience for college students

exploring the history and literature; rather, it is a learning into the core of Filipino identity and the

fight for independence. We look to the discipline of literary criticism in order to fully understand

the deep impact of Rizal's writings. The deeper levels of significance in his writings are unlocked

by literary criticism, which also enables us to appreciate the basic concepts of nationalism,

patriotism, and voluntarism in the Philippine setting.

In my understanding, I think that literary criticism enables us students to expand our

understanding of Rizal's words and his main objectives. His writings are complicated imaginative

creations rather than just historical records. Readers and experts are able to study his texts'

deeper levels of significance by using criticism to assist them to go deeper criticize and understand

it more. It reveals the details, complicated themes, and secret messages that can be missed by
casual readers. It therefore improves our knowledge of Rizal's thoughts, feelings, and the complex

of historical and cultural elements that influenced his writing.

As I have research about Literary criticism, it is commonly encouraging contrasts and comparisons

with other literary works. Experts can investigate how Rizal's writings differ from or connect to

other works of literature from his time or even with topics from other civilizations. Such

similarities offer insight on the unique and comprehensive qualities of his works. They

demonstrate how Rizal made literary contributions while maintaining a strong sense of Filipino

identity. Interpretation is another essential part of literary criticism. The conversation is made

more interesting by the variety of interpretations that many critics may make of Rizal's works. It

encourages researchers and readers to explore Rizal's texts in a variety of ways, taking account of

different perspectives and insights. Our understanding of the depth and complexity of his texts is

improved by the variety of interpretations.

Literary criticism additionally highlights how Rizal's views are still relevant today. Despite having

origins in the late 19th century, his writings still have relevance to modern challenges. His worries

about colonialism, inequalities in society, and the government can be compared to current issues

through critical analysis. The relationship between the past and present highlights how relevant

Rizal's writings are.

As I have conclude what I learned, I can say that literary criticism plays an important role especially

in Rizal’s life and works because it helps us to think critically and improve our deep understanding

about everything, he writes especially in using deep vocabularies, figure of speech, metaphors,

and more. With that, we can clearly understand his objective and viewpoint of his works. Also,

with the help of interpretations and different criticism, more information’s and meanings are

what we need to deeply learn in order to have a critical thinking and advance information

regarding Rizal’s life and works.

what would it be and what is its relation to the analysis and understanding of nation-building?

- If I would be given a chance to deconstruct or criticize one of Rizal’s written works, I want to do

it in his famous novel titled “El Filibusterismo”. Since he was a well-known Filipino nationalist and

writer who made significant contributions to the country's struggle for independence and

nationhood in the late 19th century, "El Filibusterismo" stands out as a sequel to the novel "Noli

Me Tangere" and provides an informative study of the difficulties and challenges of nation-

building. I think it would be a good example since its focus is based on nation-building.

This novel is a harsh condemnation of the Spanish colonial regime, and "El Filibusterismo" serves

as a crucial continuation of the colonial critique begun in "Noli Me Tangere." Rizal depicts the

brutal reality of colonial cruelty, corruption, and power abuse through its characters and plot. We

can learn more about the important challenges that Filipinos experienced in their journey to

nationhood, which were established in the colonial framework, by deconstructing the novel.

The novel "El Filibusterismo" depicts many kinds of opposition against colonial powers. The story

illustrates the different tactics used by people and groups in their pursuit of nationalism, whether

it is the subversion planned by Simoun, Basilio's support for social justice, or the more general

themes of rebellion. This analysis highlights the significance of resistance as a motivating factor in

the process of nation-building.

Since El Filibusterismo relates to the analysis and understanding of nation-building, there are

some perception and understanding regarding the nation-building such as motivation for

resistance where the novel portrays various forms of resistance against colonial authorities,

ranging from the subversive actions orchestrated by the character Simoun to Basilio's pursuit of

social justice. By exploring these acts of resistance, "El Filibusterismo" illustrates how the

grievances and injustices faced by Filipinos motivated them to take action. Another thing is the

equality where El Filibusterismo explores into the differences in wealth, power, and social status

within colonial society. Analyzing these class struggles and socioeconomic imbalances provides

insights into the complex social changing aspects that influenced the Philippines' path toward
nationalism. Lastly is the national identity and unity where El Filibusterismo continues to explore

themes related to cultural identity and the struggle to preserve it in the face of colonial influences.

The characters' experiences and choices contribute to the evolving sense of national identity and

unity.

El Filibusterismo impacts our mentality for understanding colonial life and how a country should

expand and improve through those difficulties. The objective of nation-building is to establish a

peaceful, prosperous country that can effectively govern itself and meet the needs and ambitions

of its citizens. El Filibusterismo is centered around this.

In conclusion, José Rizal's "El Filibusterismo" is deeply interconnected with the study and

understanding of Philippine nation-building. The novel offers an extensive range of insights into

the variety of difficulties and interactions involved in the nation-building process during a period

of colonial rule by addressing colonial critique, economic and social problems, and the

development of national identity. It serves as proof of the persistence of those who wished to

influence the development of their country.