Famous Novels of Rizal

Noli Me TangereEl Filibusterismo

Table of Contents

Lets Play…Noli Me Tangere:

A Diagnosis of Filipino SocietyIdeas on Writing a NovelPrincipal ObjectivesCharacters

Virtues & Values Reasons why … friars the enemy Charter of Filipino NationalismFirst ReactionsAttacks & DefensesChapter Summary

Table of Contents

El Filibusterismo:A Revolution that FailedBefore the book came about…Noli vs El FIliSymbolical InterpretationsChapter Summary

Lets Play…

…let us test your knowledge in El Filibusterismo:events and the characters

Lets Play…

The novel begins on board the dipper-shaped steamer sailing upstream the Pasig River from Manila to Laguna Lake. What is the name is that steamer?

TABO

Lets Play…

One of the passenger of the boat is Simoun, a friend of Spain but deep in his heart, he is secretly planning a bitter revenge against the Spanish authorities. What is his occupation?

Jeweler

Lets Play…

Who is the ridiculously pro-Spanish native woman who is going to Laguna in search of her henpecked husband, Tiburcio de Espadaña, who left her?

Doña Victorina

Lets Play…

Who is the elder of the two sons of the late Sisa, he is a promising medical student whose medical education is financed by his patron, Capitan Tiago?

Basilio

Lets Play…

Who are the 5 Priest that is describe below:Vice Rector of the University of Santo Tomas, the parish priest of Tiani town, a thin Franciscan priest and a former cura of San Diego, kind friar who was a friend of the Filipino students and a retired scholarly and patriotic Filipino priest?

Padre Sybila, Padre Camorra, Padre Salvi, Padre Irene and Padre Florentino, respectively

Lets Play…

There is a pair which some of us seems to neglect. Who is the neice of Doña Victorina and her lover, who is also a poet and nephew of Padre Florentino?

Paulita Gomez and Isagani

Lets Play…

Simoun came back because of two reason, to incite a revolution against the Spanish authorities, and to rescue who, which later on found dead?

Maria Clara

Lets Play…

He is a victim of land grabbing by the friars, became desperate and joined the outlaws for personal revenge. He died of fever and found no justice in the courts. Who is he?

Cabesang Tales

Lets Play…

She is an innocent-looking and unaffected daughter of Cabesang Tales and sweetheart of Basilio, took her own life because of her love for honor and chastity rather than surrender her womanhood to the mundane desire of Padre Camorra. Who is she?

Juli

Lets Play…

He became Simoun’s gunpowder expert but before that he is rusticated as a rebel for having experimented teaching the Spanish language to the young children against the wishes of the Spanish friars was pardoned due to the influence wielded by Simoun. Who is this character?

the school master

Lets Play…

Bonus(2pts): What is the English title translation of El Filibusterismo and how was Rizal affected by his publication of El Filibusterimo?

Reign of GreedHe decided to severe his

connection with the propagandists in Madrid to avert

possible split in their unity.

Noli Me Tangere:A Diagnosis of Filipino

Society

(Touch Me Not)Report by: Lady Joan Saba

NOLI ME TANGERE:

The winter of 1886 in Berlin was a dreary one of Rizal. Penniless and with nothing to eat, he became very sickly and suspected himself of having tuberculosis. Nonetheless, his publication of the NOLI ME TANGERE gave him great joy despite the hard life he had at Berlin.

During the course of Rizal’s stay in several European cities. He noted that Filipinos were practically an unknown nation.Rizal encouraged his fellow expatriates to call themselves “INDIOS BRAVOS” for them to have a sense of national identity.

IDEAS ON WRITING A NOVEL ABOUT THE PHILIPPINES:

•LUNA’S SPOLARIUM

•THE NOVEL UNCLE TOM’S CABIN BY HARRIET BEECHER STOWE

THE ANTI-CLERICAL NOVEL BY EUGENE SUE (THE WANDERING DEW).

Rizal started writing the NOLI ME TANGERE in 1884, while he was studying in Europe.

madr id

par is

ber l in,ger many

The novel came off the press on MARCH 21,1877 with the financial assistance of MAXIMO VIOLA.

At the outset, the novel was untitled. Later on, he decided to call his first literary masterpiece NOLI ME TANGERE (touch me not).

Rizal’s principal objectives in writing the NOLI:

To picture the past & the realities in the Philippines.To reply to insults heaped on the Filipino's & their country.To unmask the hypocrisy that have impoverished & brutalized the Filipino people.To stir the patriotism of the Filipino people.

THE CHARACTER IN THE NOLI ME TANGERE:

Although the novel is a work of fiction, the novel can be considered a true story of the Philippines during the last decades of Spanish rule.

Maria Clara – Leonor Rivera Tasyo – PacianoPadre Salvi – Fr. Antonio Peirnavieja of the Augustinian order.Kapitan Tiago – Capt. Hilario Sunico of San Nicolas.Dona Victorina – Dona Agustina MedelPadre Damaso – typical abusive friar Rizal’s time.

JUAN CRISOSTOMO IBARRAELIASMARIA CLARADON RAFAEL IBARRASISAKAPITAN TIAGODONA VICTORINADONA PATROCINIOPILISOPO TASYOTHE SCHOOL MASTER OF SAN DIEGO

In his novel he also criticized his fellow countrymen for their: BLIND, RELIGIOUS FANATICISM, CORRUPTION, PASSION FOR GAMBLING, SUBSERVIENCE OF THE WEALTHY FILIPINOS TOWARD THE FRIARS & GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS and THEIR RIDICULOUS EFFORT TO DISTANCE THEMSELVES FROM THE COMMON PEOPLE.

Virtues & Values Emphasized by Rizal in the Noli:

The modesty & devotion of the Filipino women.Open-handed hospitality of the Filipino family.Devotion of the parents to their children & children to their parents.Deep sense of gratitude of the Filipino peasants.

He made it plain & clear that friars were the enemies of reform.

3 reasons why Rizal considered the friars the enemy of reforms, progress and justice in country:

The agrarian problem in Calamba between the tenants and the Dominicans.The influence of the Spanish anti-clericalism.The foregoing political situation in 1886 & in 1872.

NOLI ME TANGERE AS A CHARTER OF FILIPINO NATIONALISM:

The novel can be considered a charter of filipino nationalism. It calls on the filipino to : REGAIN HIS SELF-CONFIDENCE, APPRECIATE HIS SELF-WORTH, RETURN TO THE HERITAGE OF HIS ANCESTORS, ASSERT HIMSELF AS A CO-EQUAL OF THE SPANIARDS.

The novel does not only expose the social maladies in the Philippines during Rizal’s time. It outlines the reforms needed in Filipino society then, these reforms include the ff: RADICAL REFORMS IN THE ARMED FORCES, CLERGY & ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE, MORE RESPECT FOR HUMAN DIGNITY, GREATER SECURITY FOR THE INDIVIDUAL, LESS STRENGTH IN THE CONSTABULARY & LESS PRIVILEGES FOR ORGANIZATIONS PRONE TO ABUSES AND CORRUPTION.

FIRST REACTIONS TO THE NOLI:

Paterno’s novel Ninay published in Madrid in 1885, del Pilar’s La Soberania Monacal and Graciano Lopez Jaena’s Discursos y Articulos Varios published in Barcelona in 1889 and 1891 and Antonio Luna’s Impresiones which came out in Madrid 1893.

Antonio Regidor Ferdinand BluementrittFilipinos beacame so eager to read the book, but only very few copies were available.

ATTACKS AND DEFENSES OF THE NOLI ME TANGERE

Senator Fernando Vida, Deputy Luis M. de Pando, and Prime Minister Praxedes Mateo Sagasta.The first attack on the Noli in the Philippines came from an anonymous letter, signed by a friar. In this letter, Rizal was labeled an ungrateful man.

Fr. Salvador Font, who issued the official censure of the Noli, tried to prevent the circulation of the novel by publishing a few copies of his report. His report consisted of four parts as follows: attacks on the religion of the state, attacks on the administration, the government employees and the courts, attacks on the civil guards, and attacks on the territorial integrity of the Spanish kingdom.Father Jose Rodriguez (direct attack) – Cuestiones de Sumo Interes

La Vison del Fray RodriguezPor TeleponoOne of those who defended Noli, was Fr. Francisco Sanchez (rizal’s teacher in rhetoric at Ateneo)Fr. Vicente Garcia (Filipino priest) – father Garcia refuted Fr. Rodriguez’s condemnation of the Noli for its alleged blasphemy and heresy.Marcelo H. del Pilar (caiingat cayo – beware) to Fr. Rodriguez.

El Filibusterismo:A Revolution that Failed

(Reign of Greed)Report by: John Andrew

Arellano

El Filibusterismo

Before the book came about…

March 29, 1891, He completed the manuscript while in Biarritz

May 30,1891, Rizal finished revising the El Filibusterismo

July 5,1891, he left Brussels for GhentCheaper cost of printing in GhentTo evade enticing attraction of Petite

Suzanne

The 1st copies were published by F.Meyer-Van Loo Press. Which is willing to publish in installment basis.

It was through Valentin Ventura that he got this book published

The book was completed by September of 1891

He brought the Ghent edition to Hong Kong while some copies were smuggled here

Before the book came about…

Noli vs El FIli

a romantic novela work of the

hearta book of feelingdedicated to his

motherlandhas 64 chapters

A political novela work of the

heada book of

thoughtdedicated to the

memory of Gomburza

has 38 chapters

Common trend of both book is the awakening of the Filipinos to the idea that they belong to one nation, to make them realize they have motherland to love, whose welfare should be there paramount concern

Synopsis

Simoun, wealthy and mysterious, is a close friend of the Spanish governor general. He was nicknamed Brown Cardinal and Black Eminence because of his influence in Malacañang. By using his political influence and wealth, he encourages corruption in the government and hastens the moral degradation of the country so that the people may become desperate and fight. He smuggles ammunitions into the country with the help of a rich Chinese merchant, Quiroga, who wants very much to be Chinese consul of Manila. Simoun's initial attempt to start the uprising did not push through because at the lat hour he heard the sad news that Maria Clara died in the convent. In his agonizing moment of bereavement, he did not give the signal for the attack.

Synopsis

After his illness brought about by the death of Maria Clara, Simoun fine-tunes his plan to overthrow the government. On the occasion of the wedding of Paulita Gomez and Juanito Pelaez, he gives a wedding gift to them a beautiful lamp. Only he and his confidential associate, Basilio (Sisa's son who joined the revolutionary cause), know that when the wick of his lamp burns lower, the nitroglycerine hidden in a secret compartment of the lamp will explode. Thus, all the guests where the wedding feast is being held will be killed, including the governor-general, the friars, and the government officials. At the same time, Simoun's followers will attack the government buildings in Manila.

Synopsis

As the wedding feast begins, Isagani, who has been rejected by Paulita because of his liberal ideas, is standing outside the house, sadly watching the merriment inside. Basilio chances upon Isagani and, warns him to go away because the lighted lamp will soon explode. Upon learning the secret of the lamp, Isagani realizes that her former girlfriend, Paulita was in grave danger. He rushes into the house to save her life. He steals the lamp and hurls it into the river where it explodes. The revolutionary plot was thus discovered.

Symbolical Interpretations

Simounportion of the society which is tired of the

oppressor's rule, wanted that rule to be overthrown at all cost, but had no systematic plan for the new society if old is overthrown

Maria ClaraFriar dominated culture which is ripe for

revolution Simoun and Maria Clara

Rizal’s refusal to recognize that the friar dominated filipino culture could still be invigorated

Señor Pasta those who have abandoned their noble social

ideals and become a self seeking opportunist Isagani

the untested and unreliable idealism of a portion of educated Filipino youths

Paulita GomezFilipino womanhood w/c is relatively

enlightenedThoroughly berefit love of country and desire

for social good

Symbolical Interpretations

Basilioeducated Filipino youth w/c has been

brutalized that become insensible to social welfare

Placido PenitenteElements of Phil. Society w/c has not yet been

infused w/ national sentiment or social conscience

Don Custodioone who finds pleasure in developing a feeling

of inferiority among the people

Symbolical Interpretations

Filipino sufferingsCabesang TalesJuliThe School Master

Symbolical Interpretations

Chapter Summary

Chapter Summary:Table of Contents

I. On the Upper Deck(Sa Kubyerta)

II. On the Lower Deck(Sa Ilalim ng Kubyerta)

III. Legends(Mga Alamat)

IV. Cabesang Tales(Kabesang Tales)

V. A Cochero’s Christmas Eve(Ang “Nochebuena” ng isang Kutsero)

VI. Basilio(Si Basilio)

VII. Simoun(Si Simoun)

VIII. Merry Christmas!(Maligayang Pasko)

IX. Pilates(Si Pilato)

X. Wealth & Want(Kayamanan at Karalitaan)

XI. Los Baños(Los Baños)

XII. Placido Penitente(Si Placido Penitente)

XIII. The Class in Physics(Ang Klase ng Pisika)

XIV. In the House of the Students(Sa Bahay ng mga Estudyante)

XV. Señor Pasta(Si Ginoong Pasta)

XVI. The Tribulation of a Chinese(Ang mga Kapighatian ng Isang Intsik)

XVII. Quiapo Fair(Ang Perya sa Quiapo)

XVIII. Legerdemain(Mga Kadayaan)

XIX. The Fuse(Ang Mitsa)

XX. The Arbiter(Ang Nagpapalagay)

Chapter Summary:Table of Contents

XXI. Manila Types (Mga Ayos-Manila)

XXII. The Performance (Ang Palabas)

XXIII. A Corpse (Isang Bangkay)

XXIV. Dreams (Mga Pangarap)

XXV. Smiles & Tears (Tawanan at Iyakan)

XXVI. Pasquinades (Ang Paskin)

XXVII. The Friar & the Filipino (Ang Prayle at ang Pilipino)

XXVIII. Tatakut (Tatakut)

XXIX. Exit Capitan Tiago (Mga Huling Salita ukol kay

Kapitan Tiago)

XXX. Juli (Si Juli)

XXXI. The High Official (Ang Mataas na Kawani)

XXXII. Effects of the Pasquinades (Mga Ibinunga ng mga Paskin)

XXXIII. La Ultima Razón (Ang Huling Matuwid)

XXXIV. The Wedding (Ang Kasal)

XXXV. The Fiesta (Ang Pista)

XXXVI. Ben-Zayb’s Afflictions (Mga Kagipitan ni Ben-Zayb)

XXXVII. The Mystery (Ang Hiwaga)

XXXVIII. Fatality (Kasawian)

XXXIX. Conclusion(Katapusan)

On the Upper Deck

The novel begins with the steamship Tabo sailing on the Pasig River on its way to Laguna. While the passengers on the upper deck discuss subjects regarding the lake and the slow pace  of ship travel, readers are gradually introduced to some characters of the novel such as the jeweler Simoun, Doña Victorina, Ben Zayb, Don Custodio, Padre Irene, Sibyla, Camorra, and Salvi.

On the Lower Deck

On the lower deck of the steamship Tabo , Basilio and Isagani converse with Don Basilio. The two students tell the Don the plan of the students to establish a Spanish academy. Although the two students are hopeful that the academy would be approved by the governor-general, Don Basilio expresses his pessimism.

Legends

The wealthy passengers of the steamship amuse themselves by telling stories and legends of interesting places and spots along the river. Padre Florentino recounts the legend of Doña Jeronima, while Padre Salvi narrates the story of a Chinese infidel who was saved from the caymans by asking St. Nicholas for help. Ben Zayb then asks the captain the exact spot where a man named Ibarra was killed. While pointing to the exact spot, Ben Zayb observes that Simoun is silent and thoughtful.

Cabesang Tales

Cabesang Tales with his family and father cultivate a piece of land. From the hardship the experience and sickness they experience, Tales ' s wife and eldest daughter die. When he is about to harvest his crops, a religious order lays claim to the land and demands an annual rent. Tales eventually agrees to the arrangement, but every year the rent keeps going up until he has had enough. He goes to the courts and demands that the religious order present some proof of their ownership of the land. After a long and expensive litigation, Tales loses the case. He is unfortunately abducted by  bandits demanding ransom. Not enough money is raised for the ransom, so Juli, the daughter of Cabesang Tales, borrows money from Hermana Penchang. To pay the debt, Juli agrees to work for the hermana as a servant.

A Cochero’s Christmas Eve

On the way to the town of San Diego, a  cochero   endures abuse and maltreatment from the guardia civil. He is hit with a rifle butt when he tells them he has forgotten to bring his cedula with him. He is detained and beaten up again when the light of his carromata goes out. Basilio arrives at San Diego and, after making his way to  Capitan Tiago' s house, he receives the news that Cabesang Tales has been abducted by bandits.

Basilio

At Christmas eve, Basilio enters the forest previously owned by the Ibarra family but has been sold to Capitan Tiago. In the middle of the forest stands a balete tree, where he visits the grave of his mother Sisa and a stranger (Elias). He remembers that thirteen years ago, a second stranger (Ibarra) had helped him cremate and bury his mother and the stranger. Through Capitan Tiago’s help, he is now studying to be a doctor and plans to marry his sweetheart, Juli.

Simoun

Basilio is about to leave the forest when he sees someone approach and starts digging near the balete tree. He announces his presence and is surprised that the man turns out to be Simoun the jeweler, who is none other than Crisostomo Ibarra. Simoun convinces Basilio to cooperate in his plans of avenging the death of his mother (Sisa) and his younger brother (Crispin) but Basilio remains steadfast saying that revenge would never bring back his brother and mother.

Merry Christmas!

It is  Christmas day and Juli wakes up early to pack her things to go to Hermana Penchang. She forgets to greet his grandfather Tata Selo a Merry Christmas. After Juli leaves, Tata Selo is preoccupied with thoughts of his pretty granddaughter with her delicate hands working as a servant, of his son Cabesang Tales still held by  bandits, and of being alone on Christmas day. Dwelling on all these misfortunes, he discovers that he has become dumb.

Pilates

The gossip about the misfortunes of Tata Selo and his family spreads around town, and a number of people are claiming that they are not to blame for these misfortunes. The alferez of the guardia civil says that he was just following a government order to collect all firearms in town. The friar who has taken over Cabesang Tales ' s comments that if Tales had remained at home, he would never have been abducted by the bandits. Hermana Penchang merely says that God brought down hardships on Tata Selo’s family because they had not taught Juli to pray properly.

Wealth and Want

Simoun visits Cabesang Tales ' s house to sell his jewelry to the rich inhabitants of San Diego and Tiani. Cabesang Tales is convinced to sell his daughter’s locket but decides to get his daughter ' s permission first. The following day Simoun discovers that his revolver has been  stolen by Tales. News circulates in the  town  that three persons have been murdered: the friar administrator, as well as the new tenant and his wife. A piece of paper with the word “Tales” written in blood is found near the dead tenant’s wife.

Los Baños

On the last day of December, the governor- general and his advisers, together with some friars, are taking a rest in Los Baños.  After the game of cards, the governor-general asks his advisers ' opinion about the students ' proposal to put up a self-sufficient Spanish academy. There is a disagreement of opinions, so no decision is made. Afterwards, the governor-general orders the release of Tata Selo, who has been arrested by the guardia civil in place of his son, Cabesang Tales.

Placido Penitente

Placido enters the class in physics conducted by Padre Millon. The class has no laboratory equipment, while the instruments bought by the university are never used. At a class recitation, Placido argues with the professor when he gets a bad mark even if he had been marked as being absent. From disgust and frustration, Placido Penitente walks out of the class.

The Class in Physics

Placido enters the class in physics conducted by Padre Millon. The class has no laboratory equipment, while the instruments bought by the university are never used. At a class recitation, Placido argues with the professor when he gets a bad mark even if he had been marked as being absent. From disgust and frustration, Placido Penitente walks out of the class.

In the House of the Students

Arriving at the school dormitory, Makaraig announces  that the decision to issue the permit for building the academy has been  passed to a commission headed by Don Custodio. The students then devise schemes to  influence Don Custodio or Señor Pasta, a lawyer, to give a favorable decision. Isagani volunteers to persuade Señor Pasta to support and to endorse their project.

Señor Pasta

Isagani approaches Señor Pasta to persuade him to support and endorse the students ' project.  Not wishing to provoke the friars who are against the project, Señor Pasta decides to oppose it and to convince Isagani instead to focus on his studies.

The Tribulations of a Chinese

Quiroga, a Chinese businessman, gives a dinner in his house. Friars, government officials, soldiers, and merchants attend the dinner. Simoun asks Quiroga to store some rifles in his warehouse as  exchange for the portion of the debt that  the Chinese merchant owes him.

The Quiapo Fair

Twelve people leave Quiroga ' s house to watch Mr. Leeds ' s show. Padre Camorra ogles the young women at the fair, and gets more excited when he sees Paulita Gomez, Isagani ' s rich and beautiful sweetheart.

Legerdemain

Ben Zayb, Padre Camorra, Padre Salvi, and others enter the tent of Mr. Leeds to watch his show. Mr Leeds presents to them a box containing some ashes that had been found in one of the pyramids of Egypt. Upon shouting a magic word, the ashes come to life and the Sphinx named Imuthis narrates his sad story. A  priest, he says, was in love with his sweetheart and in order to eliminate him, he was implicated in a rebellion. Imuthis was then arrested but was killed in a lake while trying to escape. Seeing the parallelism between Imuthis ' s story and that of Crisostomo Ibarra, Padre Salvi faints when the Sphinx starts calling him murderer, slanderer, and hypocrite.

The Fuse

Placido Penitente meets and joins Simoun in his trip around the city. Placido learns that Simoun is organizing a revolution in order to rescue Maria Clara from the convent.

The Arbiter

Don Custodio studies his decision regarding the proposal of the university students. He is undecided, since he wants to please the friars who are against the proposal while at the same time  desires to give the students a chance to study the Spanish language. Señor Pasta and Pepay the dancer have been  consulted, but they they do not not give him a concrete answer. After much contemplation, he arrives at a decision.

Manila Types

The people of Manila gather in the Teatro de Variadades to watch Les Cloches de Corneville. Camarrocido, who is from a prominent family in Spain, is poorly dressed and is employed in putting up posters of upcoming shows of the Teatro. While walking near the Teatro he sees some men suspiciously loitering around. He finds out that Simoun is ordering the men to stop a civil unrest.

The Performance

Humorous incidents happen at the show. Juanito Pelaez pretends to understand French in order to impress Paulita Gomez but is embarrassed when he mistranslates some French words. Padre Irene, in a disguise, watches the show and applauds one of the French actresses. Don Custodio is also present at the show, falsely claiming that he watching the show to judge if it is indecent or not. During the show, the students led by Makaraig learn about Don Custodio ' s decision.

A Corpse

Basilio  reads some medical books when Simoun arrives at Capitan Tiago' s house. Simoun  convinces Basilio  in vain to assist in the revolution initiated by the jeweler.  Simoun adds that a revolution is necessary to rescue Maria Clara at the Sta Clara nunnery. Basilio informs Simoun that Maria Clara is dead. Simoun leaves the house weeping, tormented, and bereaved.

Dreams

Isagani meets Paulita at Malecon. In their conversation, Isagani is revealed to be an idealist who envisions progress and economic development of his country. He converses with Paulita about railway expansion, cooperation between Spaniards and Filipinos, and the imminent commercial trade. Paulita dismisses these thoughts saying they are unattainable dreams.

Smiles and Tears

The students organize a banquet at a panciteria to honor Don Custodio and his decision about the Spanish academy. In his decision, the academy must come under the supervision of the Dominican order and the students would simply collect contributions for the proposed school.

Pasquinades

Basilio goes to the hospital but sees students acting as if classes are suspended. A student informs him that seditious and revolutionary posters are found at the university implicating the student organization. The government has also issued the arrest of all its members and students who participated in the banquet at the panciteria. Basilio then goes to the house of Makaraig to ask for a loan, but he and Makaraig are arrested by soldiers.

The Friar and the Filipino

Padre Fernandez calls Isagani to discuss his involvement at the banquet in the panciteria. Their discussion centers on the policy of the friars in educating students. Isagani argues that the friars are deliberately teaching antiquated education in order to inhibit the aspiration of the people to be free. He argues that people who aspire to be educated are branded as filibusters. Padre Fernandez replies that he has done what he could and that not all friars are backward and against the idea of educating the people. He says that education can only be bestowed to a deserving and ready people.

Tatakut

Because of the seditious posters found in the university, the city is adrift with rumor and gossip. Gossip about arrested students being shot and deported is circulated, while rumor exists that members of the student association had connived with bandits and the German ships to bring down the government.

Exit Capitan Tiago

Capitan Tiago dies, and Padre Irene becomes the executor of his will. Capitan Tiago has willed his properties to Sta. Clara, to the pope, to the archbishop, and to religious corporations.

Juli

The news of Basilio’s imprisonment deeply troubles Juli. The town clerk, Hermana Pechang, and Hermana Bali convince Juli to ask Padre Camorra to intercede for Basilio. She is hesitant to approach the friar since he is known to be frolicsome and fond of women. When news reaches Tiani that Basilio is about to be shot, Juli is compelled to ask the friar ' s help.

The High Official

A high official convinces the governor-general in vain to release Basilio who he believes is innocent. The governor-general insists that innocent individuals must suffer in order to restore order and to cow the people into submission. Because of this disagreement, the high official resigns and goes back to Spain.

Effect of the Pasquinades

Because of the revolutionary and seditious posters, Pecson, Tadeo, and Juanito Pelaez are suspended from their classes. Tadeo burns his books, while Juanito gets engaged in his father’s business. In jail, Basilio learns the sad news of Juli’s death. Simoun befriends Don Timoteo Pelaez, who is now busy preparing for the wedding of his son to Paulita Gomez.

La Ultima Razón

Basilio is released from prison and immediately approaches Simoun in order to help him initiate a revolution. Simoun is pleased that Basilio will join his cause. He directs Basilio to meet Cabesang Tales at a designated time to acquire the rifles that are hidden in Quiroga’s warehouse. Simoun is to place at an important gathering a dynamite-laden lamp that would then explode to  signal the attack.

The Wedding

Basilio walks aimlessly in the streets of Manila to wait for the agreed signal for the revolution. He passes Calle Anloague where the wedding fiesta of Juanito Pelaez and Paulita Gomez is being held. After seeing the rich decorations, the number of guards, and the important visitors that would be coming, he assumes that this is the crucial gathering mentioned by Simoun.

The Fiesta

Basilio sees Simoun placing the lamp at the center of the house.  Basilio is about to leave the place when he sees Isagani. He tries to convince Isagani to stay away from the house and explains that the lamp from Simoun would explode killing everybody in the house. In a rare act of love and loyalty to Paulita, he boldly rushes to the house, quickly throwing the lamp into the river to prevent it from exploding.

Ben-Zayb’s Afflictions

The governor-general prohibits any mention of the events that have taken place at the wedding fiesta of Juanito Pelaez and Paulita Gomez. News circulates that a band of tulisanes have attacked a friar country house. The robbers who are caught describe a Spanish mestizo as the one who ordered them to attack the city at a designated signal. The description given by the robbers perfectly fits Simoun.

The Mystery

The events of the previous night are discussed by Isagani, Capitana Loleng, Capitan Toringoy, Sensia, and Chichoy. Chichoy divulges that Simoun is the mastermind behind storing the sacks of gunpowder in order to kill all the people at the wedding feast. He also adds that the lamp was to start the fire and ignite the gunpowder.

Fatality

A group of prisoners are being escorted by the soldiers when they are ambushed. Carolino, one of the members of the guardia civil and the son of Cabesang Tales, bravely fight the  bandits, killing with a spear the bandits ' leader and an old man. Upon approaching the dead, he recognizes that the old man that he has shot is none other that his grandfather, Tata Selo.

Conclusion

A wounded and exhausted Simoun goes to Padre Florentino ' s house to hide from the guardia civil that are out to arrest him. After taking a poison, he informs Padre Florentino of his true identity. He says that he is the fugitive Juan Crisostomo Ibarra and that his was the unsuccessful attempt to corrupt the government in order to start a revolution that would free the country. Padre Florentino reprimands Simoun, saying that freedom cannot be won through violence and bloodshed but by education, constant work, and suffering.