CHAPTERS 35 - 37 THE ENDLESS TRIALS Chapter 35: Chapter 36: COMMMENTS THE FIRST CLOUD The events that Maria Clara weeps occurred btween Padre inconsolably Damaso and Ibarra Capita Tiago,announces he became the talk of the must break Ibarra and town. Maria Clara’s engagement. Don Filipo and Capitana Capitan General arrives Maria, however, both and Maria Clara flees to agree that Ibarra did her room and prays to an the right thing . image of Mother Mary Aunt Isabel tells Maria Clara to prepare herself to meet the Captain-General Chapter 37: HIS EXCELLENCY Ihe Capitan General meets first with the friars. and the Captain General insults the truant priest. The Capitan General decides to meet Ibarra, he is impressed and pleased by Ibarra’s work. Ibarra runs to María Clara’s room, but she doesn’t open the door. In Relation to Rizal Ihe Spanish friars’ abuse of power is evident early in Noli Me Tangere. Rizal shows the shocking extent to which Rizal illustrates the Catholic priests’ corruption and their unchecked power,
Chapter 37: HIS EXCELLENCY
CHAPTERS 35 - 37 CHAPTER ANALYSIS Chapter 35: Active Themes: Colonialism, Religion, COMMMENTS Power, Isolation In this conversation, the Chapter 36: mayor provides a reason for why the church has more THE FIRST CLOUD power than the local Active Themes: government: it is “rich and Colonialism, Religion, Power, united.” where financial Isolation concerns factor into the church’s influence over the Tiago is perhaps especially town. fearful of this isolation, since his primary concern is to stay in the In Relation to Rizal friars’ good graces. In order to do so, he quickly makes Rizal makes use of the arrangements with Dámaso for characters' comments on the María Clara to marry a new, incident that happened the more acceptable partner night before in order to clearly and creatively discuss the focus of this chapter. Chapter 37: In Relation to Rizal HIS EXCELLENCY Though Ibarra’s status as a mestizo, just like Rizal, — someone with Active Themes: partial native Filipino heritage — Colonialism, Religion, Power, Revolution and Reform does not often come up, Father Dámaso refers to it in a very Once again, the conflict between the church and derogatory manner, essentially state arises. Although the Spanish government accusing Ibarra of acting above his rarely interferes with the friars’ domineering station since returning from Europe. control over San Diego, in this moment the Captain The fact that Father Dámaso makes General uses his authority to pull strings for Ibarra these comments at Ibarra’s own party illustrates how deeply In Relation to Rizal ingrained these prejudices are in Philippine society. Rizal shows the shocking extent to which the Catholic friars have commandeered the country’s politics and culture, manipulating the lives of Filipino citizens in an attempt to assert authority and influence. Thus, Rizal illustrates the Catholic priests’ corruption and their unchecked power, which doesn’t stem from actual religious zeal, but rather from a love of supremacy that colonization has enabled and encouraged.
C H A P T E R S 38 - 40 THE CHURCH AND THE STATE Chapter 38 Chapter 39 THE PROCESSION DONA CONSOLACION Ibarra observes the That morning, the ensign procession. He didn’t allow her to go to watches a long church because she dresses procession in the “ridiculously” and because he street, which didn’t want to be seen with culminates with the her. Virgin Mary Throughout the day, she Amidst the grows steadily angrier as she celebrations, police remains pent up in the house, officers beat back ordering the servants to close onlookers the windows so she can’t hear Ibarra is disgusted the festivities. by the vigor of these Sisa was transported to the officers military barracks, where she now sings sad songs that Doña Consolación hears. Doña Consolación uses poor Tagalog to order Sisa to sing. This is a habit of hers — to appear more cultured, she pretends to not know her own native language, Tagalog. Chapter 40: RIGHT AND MIGHT Don Filipo tells Tasio that the mayor hasn’t accepted his resignation, instead suggesting that they postpone discussing the matter until after the festival. At a certain point, the priest approaches Don Filipo and implores him to eject Ibarra from the premises, but Filipo says there is no reason to do so—Ibarra isn’t disrupting the peace. Don Filipo begs Ibarra to help him dissuade the masses from this violent idea. In Relation to Rizal Rizal’s attention to Doña Consolación reinforces his interest in isolated characters. She also further isolates herself by estranging herself from her fellow native Filipinos During this scene, Don Filipo feels the strain of being pulled between two systems of power: the church and the government. Salví’s intentions are significantly less pure than the correspondent gives him credit for, a fact that Rizal uses to emphasize the discrepancy between what people think religious figures represent in Filipino society and what the role they actually play.
Chapter 38: THE PROCESSION
CHAPTERS 38 - 40 CHAPTER ANALYSIS Chapter 38: Active Themes: Chapter 39: Colonialism, Religion, Power, THE PROCESSION DONA CONSOLACION Revolution and Reform Active Themes: Once again,the Captain Isolation General voices his skepticism regarding how much power The nature of Consolación’s the town of San Diego grants isolation is unique because it the church. manifests itself in two ways. First of all, she is a Filipina married to In Relation to Rizal a Spaniard who is ashamed of her. But she also further isolates Rizal naturally focuses much herself by estranging herself of his attention on the from her fellow native Filipinos possibility of political by pretending to have forgotten change.The Civil Guard, Tagalog. Spain’s militarized colonial In Relation to Rizal law enforcement, has a strong Rizal’s attention to Doña presence in Noli Me Tangere, Consolación reinforces his as it represents the Spanish interest in isolated characters. government’s civic power the Consolación is a perfect church and the state often example of the kind of work together to dominate disempowered person Rizal is Filipino natives who resist interested in exploring— Spain’s civic and religious oppressed by even her own authority. husband, she further cuts Chapter 40: herself off from the world, a choice Rizal suggests leads only RIGHT AND MIGHT Active Themes: to anger and resentment. Colonialism, Religion, and Power Don Filipo feels the strain of being pulled between two systems of power: the church and the government. The informal chain of command in this scene is worthy of attention.This suggests that only somebody free of any governmental or public obligations is capable of affecting true change In Relation to Rizal Rizal describes in vibrant detail the indigenous colors, customs, and traditions that surround the night of the fiesta.
Chapter 39: DONA CONSOLACION
Chapter 41: C H A P T E R S 41 - 43 TWO VISITS HATCHING SCHEMES Chapter 42: THE ESPADANAS Doctor Don Tiburcio de Espadaña and Doctora Doña Victorina de los Reyes de De Espadaña come to check the ailing Maria Clara. Having married a Spaniard, Doña Victorina began putting on airs, wearing European clothes and frizzes. She was the richer of the two, and retained the upper hand in their relationship, forcing Don Tiburcio to attach an extra ‘de’ to their surname for added distinction, and bullying him into fully passing himself off as a doctor. Elias visits Ibarra the day after the commotion at the plaza. He informs him that Maria Clara is ill. Downstairs, Lucas, the brother of the man killed at the school site awaits Ibarra and asks him for compensation for his brother’s death. Disgusted, Ibarra tells him to return later. Chapter 43: PLANS In Relation to Rizal That morning, the ensign didn’t allow her to go to church because she dresses “ridiculously” and because he didn’t want to be seen with her. Throughout the day, she grows steadily angrier as she remains pent up in the house, ordering the servants to close the windows so she can’t hear the festivities. Sisa was transported to the military barracks, where she now sings sad songs that Doña Consolación hears. Father Dámaso goes straight to his goddaughter’s bed and says, “María, my child, you cannot die!” with tearful eyes Linares then gives Dámaso a letter from his brother-in-law, who Linares says is his godfather. Having heard this exchange between Father Dámaso and Linares, Father Salví paces back and forth until a man greets him. It is Lucas, and he tells Salví that he is the brother of the man who died in the school trenches during the town’s fiesta.
Chapter 42 THE ESPADANAS
CHAPTERS 41 - 43 CHAPTER ANALYSIS Chapter 41: Chapter 42: TWO VISITS THE ESPADANAS Active Themes: Active Themes: Colonialism, Religion, Power, Colonialism, Religion, Power, Isolation, Revolution and Reform Isolation, Revolution and Reform Elías’s story about how he disbanded the riot Once again, social relations come to builds upon the previously mentioned the forefront of the novel. It seems informal chain of command. The fact that that characters like Doña Victorina two rather insignificant characters were able (and, for that matter, Captain Tiago) to stop the chaos suggests that lowly are desperately afraid of isolation, townspeople actually have a certain kind of unlike people like Tasio. As such, the power that higher officials—like Don Filipo couple cultivates an image of or Father Salví—don’t possess. themselves as greatly sought after, and this image solidifies their sense In Relation to Rizal of belonging in Filipino high society. Lucas’s assertion that Ibarra is the “grandson In Relation to Rizal of the man who put [his] father under the earth” is very strange—since Lucas is the The de Espadañas—including “yellow” man’s brother, readers know that Linares—immediately associate his father is the same person as Ibarra’s themselves with the church by grandfather. This seems to be a discrepancy asking after Father Dámaso. This is that Rizal fails to address. because they recognize that power Nonetheless, if Lucas and Ibarra descend in San Diego flows through the from the same family, they each represent friars. In this way, they affiliate two different ways of existing in Filipino themselves with the town’s most society. influential figures. Chapter 43: PLANS Active Themes: In Relation to Rizal Colonialism, Religion, and Power Father Salví’s harsh reception of Lucas is strange, since there’s no reason he should react When Father Dámaso takes Linares to speak with so strongly to the young man’s story. This Captain Tiago, he does so primarily out of self- overreaction suggests that there’s perhaps interest. Given the disputes he’s had with Ibarra— something suspicious going on in Salví’s head, as and given his general dislike of Ibarra’s family his outburst seems an overcompensation for legacy—he’s motivated to interfere with the young something Rizal hasn’t yet revealed. Salví uses man’s engagement to María Clara. In this moment, his authoritative power to silence the man in readers see how much of an opportunist Dámaso is such a vehement manner that one can only as he manipulates the volatile circumstances assume that the scheming priest actually does surrounding Ibarra’s reputation in order to ensure want to hear what Lucas has to say, but not in that his goddaughter marries Linares instead of Dámaso, María Clara, or Tiago’s earshot. the young philanthropist.
C H A P T E R S 44 - 46 A PLAN AT HAND Chapter 44: Chapter 45: Chapter 46: THE HUNTED THE COCKPIT AN EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE Maria Clara suffers a relapse after Elias finds his way into a cave The two brothers whose father confessing, but her fever eventually in the forest to meet Pablo, a died at the hands of the Civil abates some days later. man who had previously Guard—the ones who helped Doña Victorina credits this to her sheltered Elias in his time of Elías stop the riot at the theater husband’s medical skills, but Padre need. —visit the gambling house, Salvi believes it was the confession Pablo is holed up with a where the townspeople bet on that saved Maria’s life. number of armed men and cockfights. Padre Salvi tells Capitan Tiago that vows to soon descend upon While people like Captain Tiago Maria Clara must take communion the lowlands to exact his and Captain Basilio throw their the next day to complete her revenge for the injustices money around, the brothers— recovery. He instructs Aunt Isabel to done to his family. Társilo and Bruno—speak with prepare Maria for another Elias, fearing reprisals Lucas, who tells them he will confession. against innocent people for give them thirty pesos apiece if Pablo’s actions, convinces they organize an attack on the him to delay his plans. barracks. In Relation to Rizal Father Salví and Doña Victorina’s argument about religion and science speaks to their desire to portray their own affiliations as powerful. For perhaps the first time in the novel, the focus truly centers around the nature of revolution and reform. Elías’s point of view shows his compassion and his understanding that the current state of Filipino politics and social relations is too volatile to simply overthrow using violence, which will certainly lead to unfortunate citizen casualties.
Chapter 46 THE COCKPIT
CHAPTERS 44 - 46 CHAPTER ANALYSIS Chapter 44: Chapter 45: THE HUNTED AN EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE Active Themes: Active Themes: Colonialism, Religion, Power, Revolution and Colonialism, Religion, Power, Reform, Isolation Father Salví and Doña Victorina’s argument Rizal has not mentioned Elías’s affiliation with about religion and science speaks to their Captain Pablo until this scene. It’s unsurprising that desire to portray their own affiliations as Elías would have relations with a set of men who are powerful. clearly living at the fringes of Filipino society. Salví, on the one hand, is a priest and Pablo’s group of bandits have clearly been isolated therefore wants people to think that María from their communities, a fact that surely resonates Clara has improved because of his piety. with Elías, who is himself unwelcome in places like Victoriña, on the other hand, wants people to San Diego. think her husband’s medical care is superior By convincing Pablo to let him try to convince Ibarra to Salví’s religious efforts. to represent the disenchanted bandits, Elías further The fifth commandment is “Honour thy establishes the notion that any revolutionary father and thy mother.” Bearing this in mind, measures must be diplomatic. Rather than using María Clara weeps upon hearing this brute force to take revenge upon the country’s commandment because she feels pressured structures of power, Elías understands that violent by Captain Tiago—and perhaps by the rebellion will only be effective if it is tempered with memory of her mother—to honor her family levelheaded negotiation. by abandoning Ibarra and consenting to marry Linares. In Relation to Rizal In Relation to Rizal For perhaps the first time in the novel, the focus truly centers around the nature of revolution and reform. Rizal describes Catholic traditions in this Elías’s point of view shows his compassion and his chapter such as confession. It is a belief of understanding that the current state of Filipino politics the friars back in those days that and social relations is too volatile to simply overthrow confession is more effective than medicine using violence, which will certainly lead to unfortunate in curing the sick. Second, Rizal seems to citizen casualties. His realistic outlook is important to go into a tirade about having the sick remember as the novel progresses, as it shows an undergo confession. understanding that—as Tasio has already made clear— Rizal claims, through the statements of revenge for revenge’s sake leads only to more despair. Linares, that it seems as though the patient is already dying and has no hope In Relation to Rizal of recovery whatsoever since she is already being prepped for the afterlife. Rizal brings to light the issues that plague the practice of cockfighting Chapter 46: Active Themes: which are: A man gives more care THE COCKPIT Colonialism, Religion, Power, and attention to his cock than his children and his family the second To understand what’s driving Lucas in his schemes, it’s being immediately after the holy important to remember that he very recently begged mass, people head for the cockpit - Ibarra for money and that Ibarra refused to give him gambling after having bathed in any. This begs the question: where did Lucas get the holiness, and lastly that it is a cruel money to pay people to attack the barracks? fight for chickens. The last time Lucas appeared in the novel, he was speaking with Father Salví, who seemed remarkably affected by the young man’s words. Consequently, readers have cause to wonder if perhaps Lucas is acting on behalf of the powerful and conniving Father Salví.
C H A P T E R S 47 - 49 CRIME AND PUNISHMENT Chapter 47: Chapter 48: THE TWO SENORAS THE ENIGMA While the men of San Diego Ibarra visits María Clara to tell place their bets in the gambling her that his excommunication house, Doña Victorina walks has been lifted. When he through town dressed in arrives, he finds her with ribbons and flowers. Linares. Confused, he says he’ll As they go by the ensign’s house, come back another time, they see Doña Consolación noting a strange look of smoking a cigar in the window. hesitancy on his lover’s face. Victorina takes offense that the He wanders into the street and woman is staring at her. winds his way to the school, When the fight ends, Doña where construction continues Victorina tells Don Tiburcio that to thrive at a good pace. There, he will have to challenge the among the workers, he spots ensign to a duel in order to Elías, who tells him to meet defend her honor. him by the lakeside to discuss Captain Tiago then enters, and several important matters. Victorina tells him that Linares is going to challenge the ensign, Chapter 49: ordering him not to let the young man marry his daughter THE VOICE OF THE HUNTED if he fails to do so. Taking Ibarra out in his boat, Elías explains the plight of Captain Pablo and his followers. This turns into a discussion about reform, one in which Elías advocates for a total upheaval of the government. Ibarra, on the other hand, argues for a tactic that seeks to bring about change by working within the already established systems of power. Elías says that the government makes criminals out of honest citizens by ruining their lives and forcing them resort to crime. In Relation to Rizal Readers see that social class and culture in Noli Me Tangere often hinges—at least in the characters’ minds—upon a person’s affiliations. Rizal offers a new form of isolation, this time showing how Spaniards benefit from the geographical seclusion brought about by colonialism. When Ibarra insists that Spanish colonialist powers “showed” Filipinos the “error of their ways,” he demonstrates the extent to which he has internalized the oppressive discourse promoted by colonialism, a practice that uses religion to justify greed and subjugation. One of the qualities that saves Ibarra from total ignorance is his willingness to remain open-minded in discussions regarding reform and revolution.
Chapter 49 THE VOICE OF THE HUNTED
CHAPTERS 47 - 49 CHAPTER ANALYSIS Chapter 47: Active Themes: Chapter 48: Colonialism, Religion, Power and THE TWO SENORAS Isolation THE ENIGMA Active Themes: Colonialism, Religion, Doña Consolación and Doña Victorina Power and Education are both Filipina women married to Spaniards who they’d like to think are It’s notable that, despite important and powerful. Ibarra’s excommunication, When Doña Victorina says that she will construction has continued on tell Tiago that Linares has been lying the school. This is perhaps to him, she reveals that the young man thanks to Tasio’s advice that —much like his uncle, the fake doctor Ibarra gain approval for the —is most likely a fraud who is taking project from the town’s priests advantage of the remoteness of the and government officials— Philippines from Spain. because they have invested themselves in the endeavor, In Relation to Rizal they don’t stop its progress during the young man’s Rizal wrote Noli Me Tangere in a way excommunication. that readers see that social class and culture in Noli Me Tangere often In Relation to Rizal hinges—at least in the characters’ minds—upon a person’s affiliations. Rizal holds up education as a Rizal offers a new form of isolation, way of overcoming oppression. this time showing how Spaniards Ibarra, who is a respected figure benefit from the geographical because of the fact that he seclusion brought about by studied in Europe, fiercely colonialism. advocates the importance of intellect and education by Chapter 49: Active Themes: building a school in San Diego. In Colonialism, Religion, and doing so, he seeks to give the THE VOICE OF THE HUNTED Power; Revolution and townspeople a means of Reform empowerment outside the context of the church. Ibarra’s optimism obscures his ability to see the truth in Elías’ argument, and his faith in religion and government renders him unable to acknowledge that it is difficult to address corruption using the same means by which that corruption flourishes. When Ibarra insists that Spanish colonialist powers “showed” Filipinos the “error of their ways,” he demonstrates the extent to which he has internalized the oppressive discourse promoted by colonialism, a practice that uses religion to justify greed and subjugation. In Relation to Rizal Considering the friars’ unmitigated control over government officials, townspeople, and lowly church members, it’s clear that Rizal is highly skeptical of allowing religious institutions to have so much influence over a community and its governing body.
Chapter 50: C H A P T E R 50 - 51 ELIAS' STORY HIDDEN AGENDAS Chapter 51: EXCHANGES At Capitan Tiago’s house, Linares receives a letter from Doña Victorina in which she threatens to expose the lie behind his outstanding credentials if he fails to challenge the Alferez. Padre Salvi drops by to confirm the news that Ibarra’s excommunication had been lifted. Ibarra himself turns up to visit, he asked If Maria Clara was angry with him. According to Sinang Maria Clara always says that it is better for him to forget about her. He also asked to talk to Sinang, who is a mutual friend of the couple and who is around to keep Maira Clara company, for a personal meeting with Maria Clara. Elías tells Ibarra that sixty years ago his (Elías’s) grandfather worked for a Spanish merchant in Manila. One night, the warehouse catches on fire, and the merchant blames Elías’s grandfather, who is subsequently dragged behind a horse in public as punishment. Elías continues his story. Before long, he says, Manila authorities smell his grandfather’s decomposing body and arrest his wife for not reporting the death. She is pregnant once again, so they wait until she gives birth to whip her. They then release her into the mountains again, and she flees with her two children to a nearby province where the small family lives in the woods like animals, “hating and hated.” Elias has been wandering the Philippines as people slander his name and fear him. In Relation to Rizal Rizal illustrates once more how Spaniards often manipulate less fortunate native Filipinos. Elías’s tragic and gruesome story demonstrates yet again what isolation and estrangement from society often leads to in Noli Me Tangere: misery and death. Elías’s story about his fall from society’s good graces illustrates how much importance Filipino culture (under Spanish colonization) places on wealth and reputation.
CHAPTERS 50 - 51 CHAPTER ANALYSIS Chapter 50: Active Themes: Colonialism, Religion, Power, Isolation, Revolution, ELIAS' STORY Reform and Education Once again, the oppressive power of colonialism rears its head, this time in the form of the Spanish merchant who doesn’t think twice about blaming his own misfortune on an innocent Filipino. The older brother’s decision to become a bandit recalls the previous idea—as outlined by Elías—that the oppressive government often turns people into criminals by treating them as such. These accusations become self-fulfilling prophecies that lead to a cycle of forced subversion and criminality. Elías’s story about his fall from society’s good graces illustrates how much importance Filipino culture (under Spanish colonization) places on wealth and reputation. It’s worth noting that Elías’s real father was never a bandit—he was simply a poor man. That the revelation of this secret ruins Elías’s life by estranging him from society just goes to show how superficial and arbitrary the structures of power are in this community. In Relation to Rizal Rizal illustrates once more how Spaniards often manipulate less fortunate native Filipinos. Rizal illustrates that isolation and estrangement from society often leads to misery and death in Noli Me Tangere. Active Themes: Chapter 51: Colonialism, Religion, Power and Isolation EXCHANGES Linares’s short monologue is worthy of attention because it suggests that Captain TiagCohaisptaewra5re1: of the young man’s fraudulent identity. In keeping with Salví’s mysteErXioCuHsAcNhGanEgSe of heart, María Clara’s insistence that Ibarra forget about her suggests that something ominous is in the works. Although she loves Ibarra, María Clara seems to think she must protect him by distancing herself. In Relation to Rizal Considering Salví’s jealousy over Ibarra’s relationship to María Clara—combined with the fact that he was suspiciously nervous just before the “yellow” man tried to kill Ibarra—it’s strange that he now happily endorses the prospect of the young lovers’ marriage. As such, it seems likely that something is at play behind the scenes, though Rizal allows this odd discrepancy in Salví’s behavior to pass without further comment.
CHAPTERS 52, 53, 54 Conspiracies and Confabulations Main Points Chapter 52: The Cards of the Dead and the Shadows Rizal slowly reveals the plot against Ibarra, in which the young protagonist is framed to Three men are in the cemetery waiting for Lucas. look like the ringleader of a violent uprising They discuss their impending attack on the against the town of San Diego. barracks and the church, which they believe is organized by Ibarra. Lucas arrives and instructs Elías is able to use his own isolation to his them to attack the church and the barracks, advantage. Indeed, he has been so shouting Viva Don Crisostomo. Elias, after estranged from society that nobody even following Lucas, learns about the attack that will knows what he looks like. implicate Ibarra. Chapter 53: Il Buon Dí Si Conosce Da Mattina Don Filipo visits Tasio the sage, who’s ill. He tells Tasio that he has resigned from his position because he is fed up with the Gobernadorcillo’s ineptitude. Tasio praises the don’s action, saying that resistance must be used not only against the Gobernadorcillo but against all persons who abuse their authority. Main Points Tasio’s idea that “one can be progressive in three ways” relates to Elías and Ibarra’s differing views about revolution and reform. Chapter 54: Revelations Padre Salvi warns the Alferez about an impending attack on the town. He informs the Alferez to ready his men and to send four soldiers to guard the church. Elias alerts Ibarra on the imminent attack on the town that will be blamed on him. He helps Ibarra dispose of some letters that could implicate him. In one of these letters, Elias discovers that Ibarra’s great grandfather was the Spaniard who had accused his great grandfather of arson. Main Points At this point, it becomes clear that Father Salví is behind the plan to frame Ibarra. This is made apparent by the way he takes advantage of the opportunity to emphasize his own importance, telling the ensign that he will “again see how important clerics [religious officials] are.” A “miter” is the kind of hat Bishops wear. The ensign’s joke, then, indicates that he recognizes that Salví is using his knowledge of the impending attack as a way of rising in power in the church. This perfectly mirrors the nature of reform in the Spanish Philippines; in the same way that Elías has sworn himself to his own enemy, true revolution requires a person to attack his own beloved country.
CHAPTERS 55, 56, 57 To Incriminate by Misconstruction Chapter 55: The Catastrophe Ibarra enters Capitan Tiago’s house, as soon as he hears shots fired near the convent. Ibarra returns to his house, and is arrested by the Guardia Civil. Seeing what has happened, Elias enters Ibarra’s house, and intentionally sets a fire to destroy any evidence that could implicate Ibarrra in the failed attack. Main Points Ibarra’s willingness to allow the guards to whisk him away without protest shows his understanding of the fact that there is very little a civilian can do in the face of the colonial government. Once again, Elías is something of a guardian angel to Ibarra. Given that he recently learned Ibarra’s great- grandfather caused his own family generations of pain, his loyalty to Ibarra is commendable. Chapter 56: Rumors and Beliefs Rumors circulate in the terrified town, after the eventful night. Some people assume that Don Filipo and Crisostomo Ibarra have been arrested by the Guardia Civil, while others think that some bandits were caught in the night. Main Points The seeds attached to the chief sexton’s shirt solidify the notion that the church ordered this attack, for it’s clear Father Salví doesn’t want to risk the possibility that Lucas may confess that he took part in the organization of the plan. Chapter 57: Vae Victis! The Guardia Civil imprison the individuals implicated in the failed attack. They torture Tarsilo to obtain a confession from him and to make him disclose the mastermind of the failed attack. But Tarsilo remains silent up to his death. Main Points Although Társilo’s honesty when he says that Ibarra wasn’t implicated in the barracks attack is honorable, his fate serves as an example of what happens to somebody who allows himself to be motivated by revenge.
Vae Victis
CHAPTERS 58, 59, 60 Debauchery of the Wicked Chapter 58: The Accursed The ensign marches the prisoners, including Ibarra, into the streets. The townspeople insult Ibarra, calling him a heretic and hurling stones at him. As the procession winds past Ibarra’s smoldering house, he feels utterly hopeless, abandoned by his country, lover, and friends. Meanwhile, Old Tasio watches the procession from a hill. After standing idle for some time, he turns around and sets off for home. He is found the next day, deceased “on the very threshold of his solitary refuge.” Main Points Tasio’s death is yet another reminder that, though certain kinds of isolation may at first seem to liberate free-thinkers, it renders their actions futile and leads only to inglorious death. Chapter 59: Patriotism and Private Interests The people of Manila discuss the failed rebellion falsely blamed on Ibarra. The friars praise Padre Salvi for alerting the authorities about the rebellion, using it as an excuse to throw celebratory religious feasts. Captain General has backed away from his good relationship with Ibarra. Again, social affiliations prove tenuous and highly superficial in the Philippines, where priests, government officials, and the high society only associate with people who appear to be well-respected. Main Points Chapter 60: Maria Clara Weds While Doña Victorina and Captain Tiago discuss plans for María Clara and Linares’s wedding, Aunt Isabel comforts her niece, telling her that marrying Linares will grant her all kinds of privileges. Capitan Tiago invites guests and visitors to celebrate the impending marriage. The ensign brags about the battle, portraying himself as a great hero. Rumors circulate that Ibarra will be hanged. Overhearing a conversation about Ibarra’s fate, the lieutenant Señor Guevara angrily juts in, saying that it is only because Ibarra trusted the wrong people that he landed in such unfavorable and compromising circumstances. Maria Clara goes to the azotea, where she sees Ibarra leaping out from a boat. She asks him for forgiveness since she is about to be married to someone else, but declares that she would never forget her vow of faithfulness to him. Main Points Aunt Isabel’s statement reveals what really matters to her: that she be coveted for her position in high society. Rizal demonstrates that the citizens of San Diego are chiefly interested in superficial notions of power and social currency. Father Salví seems to have somehow manipulated his powerful station in order to harm Ibarra. His obvious involvement once more places the church at the center of an ominous situation, thereby reminding readers of the institution’s corruption and its ability to trick the government into acting on its behalf.
Ikakasal si Maria Clara
CHAPTERS 61, 62, 63 Solitary Repercussions Chapter 61: The Chase on the Lake As they row on the lake, Ibarra asks Elias to come live with him abroad but he declines, saying “It’s true I can neither love my country nor be happy here, but I can suffer and die in it, and for it.” Elías points out that Ibarra’s newfound will to fight contrasts his earlier reluctance to support Main Pointsrevolution. Ibarra argues, “They opened my eyes, they made me see the sores and forced me to Elías’s refusal to leave the country shows that, at least on some become a criminal! And so, just what they wanted, level, he understands the futility of isolation. Ibarra realizes that, I will be a subversive, but a true subversive,” Two now that he’s been accused of heresy and widely condemned, he boatloads of Guardia Civil pursue Elias and Ibarra understands why somebody would believe in total revolution on the lake. Elias jumps into the river to mislead rather than organic reform. Elías’s willingness to endanger the pursuers, thus saving Ibarra. himself for Ibarra once again reveals his loyalty to his friend. Chapter 62: Padre Damaso Explains Maria is distraught when she learns that Ibarra has been killed, while trying to escape. Out of desperation, Maria Clara asks Padre Damaso to break her marriage engagement and to permit her to enter the nunnery. After vainly arguing with Maria Clara, Padre Damaso gives his permission. Main Points In past scenes, Maria Clara has remained passive, especially when conversing with powerful priests like Father Dámaso. In this moment though, she finally allows her strong feelings to surface. Father Dámaso’s reluctance to allow María Clara to embark upon a religious life is telling, for it indicates that he has very little affinity for spirituality, and rather is only a priest because of the power it gives him. Chapter 63: Christmas Eve Basilio returns to San Diego to look for his insane mother. Sisa runs by, still out of her mind. The young Basilio follows his mother’s singing, but she doesn’t recognize him. He runs after her until they enter the forest owned by the Ibarras. Basilio passes out and Sisa dies, only after eventually recognizing her son. When Basilio regains consciousness, Elias orders him to cremate his him and his mother. Main Points Sisa’s failure to recognize her son is a testament to how severely her isolation from society has affected her. The fact that Sisa dies upon discovering that the boy following her is her son Basilio supports the notion that her inability to recognize him earlier was the result of a psychological defense mechanism.
Noche Buena
CHAPTER 64 Cries of the Exploited Chapter 64: Epilogue Padre Damaso is reassigned as parish priest to a distant province but is found dead the day after. Maria Clara enters the Sta. Clara nunnery, where Padre Salvi regularly preaches and holds an important office. Capitan Tiago stops going to church, and is now addicted to opium and gambling. The Alferez who has been promoted as a 2nd lieutenant, goes back to Spain, leaving his wife, Doña Consolacion, behind. Doña Victorina still tries to live the life of a Spanish woman, while her cousin Linares dies of dysentery. Two Spanish guards see an insane nun standing at the top of the Sta. Clara convent during a raging storm. When the authorities try to investigate the nun’s case, the abbess prohibits the inquiry, invoking the name of Religion and the Holy Statutes. Main Points Not all of the characters’ fates in this epilogue are fraught with symbolic or thematic meaning. Captain Tiago’s life, for instance, follows in the sad footsteps where he becomes a tragic figure addicted to opium, and this is yet another instance in which Rizal condemns acquiescing to solitude. By Rizal’s description, the nun is María Clara, wherein it seems to suggest that the disgustingly lustful priest rapes her when he visits the convent. Chapter X Sina Elias at Salome Salome waits desperately for Elias, thinking that he would pass by the water any time soon. Elias, however, is nowhere to be seen because he is in fact hiding from the authorities who are currently patrolling the lake. When the two finally get to meet, Salome tells the youth of her plan to move to Mindoro and live with her relatives, and requests that he go with her. Elias, however, refuses her offer because he does not want her to be entangled with the tragedies and troubles of his past. He tells the lady that she must marry an honorable and respectable man, one whom she truly deserves and who can make her happy.
Katapusan
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