gwyyy 's review for:

El Filibusterismo by José Rizal
4.0

Reading this for an assigned task in class

"Pinabayaan natin ang kasamaan kaya't katulong tayo sa paglikha nito. Ang kalayaan ay 'di natin dapat tuklasin sa tulong ng patalim. Tuklasin natin ito sa tulong ng nagpapataas ng uri ng katwiran at karangalan ng tao. Gumawa tayo ng mabuti, tapat at marangal hanggang mamatay tayo dahil sa kalayaan." - Padre Florentino


El Filibusterismo is a sequel to Noli Me Tangere. The novel is a critique of the Spanish colonial regime in the Philippines, and it explores themes such as social injustice, corruption, and the struggle for freedom. Rizal portrays the exploitation and oppression of the Filipino people by the Spanish authorities and their collaborators, highlighting the plight of the poor and marginalized. The novel also shows the complex dynamics of colonial society, where some Filipinos are complicit in perpetuating the system of oppression while others resist it.

Another strength of the novel is Rizal's masterful use of symbolism and allegory to convey his message. The characters and events in the story are not only meant to be read literally, but also represent deeper social and political realities. For example, the character of Simoun, who seeks revenge against the colonial government, can be seen as a metaphor for the revolutionary movement that Rizal himself supported.

Though I find the story too dense and difficult to follow, especially since it includes a large cast of characters and multiple plotlines.