EL FILIBUSTERISMO'S SYMBOLISM

In his novel, “El Filibusterismo”, the different views of the characters in the novel that Rizal embodied at that time and his feelings were shown. Only this time, they were the background characters. He was

Simoun, wanting to revolt, angry, driven by passion, and hatred with the Spanish regime.

In the story, Simoun wanted to bomb the wedding of Paulita Gomez with all the generals and those in power in Spain in the Philippines but was stopped by Isagani because he loved Paulita. Simoun by bombing all those in power would stop the Spanish reign on the Philippines, but was stopped. Simoun symbolized Rizal as wanting a Revolution, driven into madness and full of anger. While Isagani symbolized the Reformist side of Rizal. It is evident in the text that the main character is the Revolutionary Rizal, but begs the question why was it still stopped by the one who symbolized the Reformist Rizal?

WHY DID RIZAL STOP SIMOUN'S PLAN?

Rizal as a writer did not mean that he was against the revolution. separation from Spain and achieving national independence and returning to being reformist assimilation. He did not return to becoming a coward. He was against Simoun's revolution because it was not the right motivation, methods. and timing to launch the revolution. He used (1) Fraud/Deception, (2) using money to recruit people who can be used, help, and join the revolution, (3) Encouraging the government and the powerful to become even more evil, (4) intense anger and hopelessness as a result of the excessive evil of the Spanish will motivate and become a wick in the people to revolution. A revolution is not supposed to be personal. It should not be driven by anger and revenge as the motive of revolution. It should be the "commonality of suffering."

The right timing is when reason prevails or dominates in Filipinos instead of emotion. "Reason and honor as human beings are elevated, loving what is just, good, great, even dying for it." Second is the purpose of the revolution should be goodness or welfare of the people and common good and not the promotion of personal good or welfare (i.e., People Before Self; Selflessness vs. Selfishness). This is why Simoun was stopped as he was seeking revenge for the death of Maria Clara. And lastly, the aspiration of revolution is "total structural change in society" and not just changing the leaders or usurping power from the government (this is only for a reform).

Filipinos need to prepare to defend their rights in case of attacks of violence, but also know when, what time, and what are the goals. A revolution is supposed to be prepared, not only military and political, but also all personal and moral-will.