Name: Jamella Flaviano

Yr. & Course: BSE-ENGLISH 2

Subject: Major 10-Survey in Philippine Literature
Instructor: Ms. Larah Abella Bautista

Topic: El Filibusterismo

Introduction:
El Filibusterismo also known by its English alternate title The Reign of Greed, is the
second novel written by Philippine national hero José Rizal. It is the sequel to Noli Me
Tángere and, like the first book, was written in Spanish. It was first published in 1891 in
Ghent, Belgium. The novel’s dark theme departs dramatically from the previous novel’s
hopeful and romantic atmosphere, signifying the character Ibarra’s resort to solving his
country’s issues through violent means.
Summary of El Filibusterismo
Thirteen years after the deaths of Sisa and Elias, the story began.
A steamboat called Bapor Tabo traveled between Manila and Laguna. Among its
passengers were the jeweler Simoun, Basilio, and Isagani.
Upon arriving in San Diego, Basilio visited his mother’s grave in the Ibarra family
cemetery. There, he unexpectedly encountered Simoun, who he recognized as
Crisostomo Ibarra in disguise.
To protect Ibarra’s secret, Simoun attempted to kill Basilio but was unsuccessful.
Instead, Simoun tried to persuade Basilio to join his quest for revenge against the
Spanish Government. Basilio refused, as he wanted to finish his studies.
Meanwhile, while the Governor-General was vacationing in Los Baños, Filipino students
submitted a petition to establish a Spanish Language Academy.
The proposal was rejected because the clergy would be in charge, preventing the
students from having any control over the institution’s operations.
Simoun and Basilio met again, and Simoun once more tried to convince Basilio to join
his planned rebellion and create chaos in a forced opening of the Sta. Clara convent to
abduct Maria Clara. However, this didn’t happen because Maria Clara passed away that
same evening.
On the other hand, the students held a gathering at the Panciteria Macanista de Buen
Gusto, expressing their disappointment over the failed establishment of the Spanish
Language Academy.
Speeches were given inside the Panciteria, where the students openly criticized the
clergy. The friars eventually learned about this.
The next day, posters containing criticism and calls for rebellion were found on the
university’s doors, and the students’ organization members were blamed. The students
were arrested, and Basilio was among those apprehended. This deeply affected his
lover, Juli.
Although hesitant, Juli eventually sought help from Padre Camorra to free Basilio.
Hermana Bali also persuaded her, believing that only the priest could help secure
Basilio’s release.
To exonerate the students, their relatives intervened for their release. Basilio, however,
remained in jail as he had no intermediary.
Padre Camorra assaulted Juli. Traumatized by the incident, she jumped from the
convent window, leading to her death.
Simoun continued plotting his revenge against the government. To advance his plans,
he partnered with Don Timoteo Pelaez, Juanito’s father, and arranged Juanito’s
marriage to Paulita Gomez. The Governor-General was invited to be the wedding
godfather, and other high-ranking officials were also invited to the banquet.
Two months after his imprisonment, Basilio was released with Simoun’s help. Due to
the tragic events in his life, including Juli’s death, Basilio finally agreed to join Simoun’s
rebellion.
Simoun seized the opportunity to show Basilio the bomb he had made. It was a
grenade-shaped lamp, the size of a human head. He planned to present this
extravagant lamp to the newlyweds, Juanito and Paulita.
The lamp would emit a bright light for twenty minutes before dimming. When the wick
was raised to brighten it again, the grenade would explode, causing the destruction of
the pavilion and ensuring no guest would survive.
The explosion would serve as a signal for Simoun to initiate the rebellion.
On Juanito and Paulita’s wedding day, at around seven in the evening, Basilio paced
outside the banquet venue. Simoun also left the house, anticipating the imminent
explosion.
As Basilio was about to leave, he spotted Isagani, Paulita’s former lover. Temporarily
forgetting his life’s disappointments, Basilio revealed the planned explosion to Isagani
and warned him to leave the area.
As the lamp began to dim, the Governor-General ordered Padre Irene to raise the wick.
However, Isagani snatched the lamp, ran to the terrace, and threw it into the river.
Simoun’s planned rebellion was thwarted. He fled to the house of Padre Florentino, a
Filipino priest.
As those pursuing Simoun were closing in, he drank poison to avoid being captured
alive. It was then that he confessed his true identity to the priest.
He shared his return to the Philippines from Europe thirteen years prior, his love affair
with Maria Clara, and his disguise as a jeweler to seek revenge against the government
through a rebellion.
After confessing, Simoun passed away.
The remaining jewels belonging to Simoun were thrown into the sea by Padre
Florentino.

El Filibusterismo Literary Elements

• Genre - Novel, satire
• Setting and Context - The Philippines, in and around Manila, at the end of the
19th century
• Narrator and Point of View - Omniscient third-person narrator
• Tone and Mood - Grim, brooding, searingly critical, and satirica
• Protagonist and Antagonist - Simoun, the disguised persona of Crisóstomo
Ibarra, is the protagonist, and a cast of Spanish officials and clergy are the
antagonists
• Major Conflict - The conflict is between the Spanish colonial oppressors and
those they oppress. Simoun is working for the overthrow of the colonialists and
using his wealth to further corrupt them with the goal of starting a revolution.
• Climax - The climax occurs at Paulita and Juanito’s wedding feast where Simoun
almost accomplishes his goal of revenge before Isagani saves everyone at the
event by throwing the bomb into the river.
• Resolution (Ending) – In “El Filibusterismo,” the resolution occurs when
Simoun, having failed to incite a revolution, confesses his plans to Padre
Florentino before dying. The priest, reflecting on the state of the nation, throws
Simoun’s treasures into the sea, hoping for a time when the country may have a
need for them.
What is the story El Filibusterismo all about?
- El Filibusterismo, is the second novel written by Philippine national hero
José Rizal. It also serves as the sequel to his novel Noli Me Tangere. El Fili
as it is popularly called, is a darker and more evolved novel compared to
Noli. It’s a book about revenge, manipulation, deception and being greed.

What is the main idea of El Filibusterismo?

- It is a novel that highlights the societal issues and corruption prevalent in
the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era. The main idea of the novel
is to expose the injustices suffered by the Filipinos under Spanish rule and
to promote the need for reform or revolution.

How does El Fili represent the Philippine literature?

- It is a significant piece of Philippine literature because it portrays the social,
political, and economic issues faced by Filipinos during the Spanish colonial
period. It delves into themes of oppression, injustice, and the struggle for
freedom, which are recurring motifs in Philippine literature. Rizal’s depiction of
characters from various social classes and his critique of the colonial system
make “El Filibusterismo” a powerful representation of Philippine society during
that time.

What is the main purpose of El Fili ?

• To defend Filipino people from foreign accusations of foolishness and lack of
knowledge.
• To show how the Filipino people live during Spanish colonial period and the cries
and woes of his countrymen against abusive officials.

What is the background why El Fili was written?

- Rizal’s second novel, El Filibusterismo, was dedicated to the three priests,
Gomez, Burgos and Zamora, who were executed because of their
supposed participation in the Mutiny of Cavite of 1872, first revolutionary
campaign of modern Philippine nationalism.
Why is El Filibusterismo banned?
- This novel and its sequel, El filibusterismo (nicknamed El fili), were
banned by Spanish authorities in the Philippines because of their
allegations of corruption and abuse by the colonial government and the
Catholic Church.

What is the difference between Noli and El Fili?

- “Noli Me Tangere”, also known as “Touch Me Not” or “The Social Cancer”,
focuses on the social injustices and moral decay of the society. On the other
hand, “El Filibusterismo”, or “The Reign of Greed”, is more political and explores
the revolutionary ideas against the Spanish government.
- “Noli Me Tangere” has a lighter tone and is more romantic and idealistic, while
“El Filibusterismo” has a darker and more tragic tone, reflecting the desperation
and anger of the oppressed.

What is the moral lesson of El Fili?

- The moral lesson of “El Filibusterismo” can be interpreted in several ways. One
of the key lessons is the destructive power of anger and vengeance. The novel’s
protagonist, Simoun, is driven by his desire for revenge against the Spanish
government that wronged him and his loved ones. However, his actions only
lead to more suffering and tragedy, demonstrating how revenge can consume
and destroy a person.
- Another important lesson is the importance of fighting for one’s country and
standing up against oppression. The novel highlights the abuses and corruption
of the Spanish colonial government and encourages its readers to take action for
the sake of their country’s future.

References:
https://prezi.com/ws3nu5bj7ynq/el-filibusterismo/
https://noypi.com.ph/el-filibusterismo-summary/
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://leon
-gallery.com/auctions/lot/The-Magnificent-September-Auction-
2017/105/14%23:~:text%3DABOUT%2520THE%2520WORK,campaign%2520of%2520
modern%2520Philippine%2520nationalism.&ved=2ahUKEwif2JP2wbeEAxXGj68BHfrDBC
8QFnoECA0QBQ&usg=AOvVaw0xNofaqZryA0NK6AWiqiXK
https://wisdomanswer.com/what-is-the-purpose-of-the-novel-el-filibusterismo/
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://type
set.io/questions/what-is-the-main-message-of-el-filibusterismo-
47qf57ldpl%23:~:text%3DThe%2520main%2520message%2520of%2520El%2520Filib
usterismo%2520is%2520the%2520examination%2520of,during%2520the%2520late%
2520nineteenth%2520century.&ved=2ahUKEwjf8trL47mEAxXOm1YBHS9MBxAQFnoECA
4QBQ&usg=AOvVaw1II-5GPJukgxJSahi0QW8h
https://www.gradesaver.com/el-filibusterismo/study-guide/literary-elements#genre