Summary
Highlights
Jose Rizal aimed to address the accusations against Filipinos and expose the dire conditions and grievances of his homeland through his novels, particularly focusing on the suffering and sadness of his people.
Following the popularity and subsequent ban of 'Noli Me Tángere' in 1887 due to strong opposition from the church, Rizal returned to the Philippines to assess its impact and continue his reform efforts. Despite the ban and severe penalties for reading his first novel, Rizal began writing 'El Filibusterismo' in October 1887. Governor-General Emilio Terrero y Perinat assigned Lieutenant Jose Taviel de Andrade to protect Rizal from threats.
In 1888, Rizal left the Philippines for Europe where he continued writing his second novel, which aimed to present a more serious and darker perspective on society. In 1890, while in Brussels, Belgium, Rizal wrote a major part of 'El Filibusterismo' amidst significant financial and emotional challenges due to his family's problems in the Philippines. Despite these hardships, he persevered to complete the novel to express his feelings and aspirations for the nation.
Rizal completed a draft of 'El Filibusterismo' on March 29, 1891, and went to Ghent, Belgium, where printing costs were lower. Despite lacking funds, his friend Valentin Ventura helped publish the novel. Titled 'El Filibusterismo,' meaning 'The Rebel,' it was a sequel to 'Noli Me Tángere.' While 'Noli Me Tángere' focused on social issues, 'El Filibusterismo' delved into the political system and themes of revenge. The printing was finished on September 18, 1891, and Rizal gave the first copy to Valentin Ventura as a token of gratitude.
Between 1891 and 1896, Rizal used the novel to advocate for change in the Philippines. 'El Filibusterismo' was secretly distributed in the Philippines, as the Spanish authorities strictly prohibited it. The novel highlighted the darker and more painful effects of colonialism, depicting the anger, revenge, and despair of Filipinos under the oppressive Spanish regime. It played a crucial role in the propaganda movement and inspired many Filipinos to resist colonial oppression.