El Filibusterismo
The Reign of Greed
About the Novel . . .
• The second novel written by Rizal as sequel to
Noli Me Tangere
• Dedicated to GOMBURZA
• Started on October 1887 in Calamba
• Finished in March 29 1891 in Biarritz
• Was almost not published due to lack of funds
• Published September 1891 in Ghent partially
funded by Valentin Ventura
• Written four years after noli was written
wherein Rizal was experiencing a lot of
frustrations in his efforts for social reform, thus
giving the book a graver tone
Filibusterismo / Filibustero
• Rizal first heard this word during the
execution of GOMBURZA
• At that time filibustero referred to those
who are provoking a revolution against
the foreign government
• “Dangerous patriot”
• “Rebel”
• “Subversive”
• Simoun as the Filibustero
Purpose . . .
Same with the Noli Me Tangere
enlighten society
Bring Filipinos closer to truth
Prove that liberation through bloodless means is
better than revolution
Issues exposed:
• Need for reform in education
• Superstition masquerading as religion
• Abuses of the friars
• Corruption of officials
• Pretentions of social climbing natives and
Spaniards
• Spanish tyranny
• Church aquiring immense political power
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Noli & Fili Compared . . .
NOLI
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Aspiration
Beauty
Romance
Mercy
Humor
Idealism
Society is encouraged to
ask and aspire for change
and liberation
FILI
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Bitterness
Hatred
Antipathy
Pain
Violence
Sorrow
Rebellion
Society is urged to open
its eyes to reality and
rebel against the Spanish
government for its
oppression and abuse
Major Characters
Simoun – Crisostomo Ibarra disguised as a jeweler bent starting a
revolution; cynical;
Basilio – Sisa’s son, an aspiring doctor
Isagani – Poet and Basilio's best friend; portrayed as emotional and
reactive; Paulita Gómez' boyfriend before Juanito; Idealist
Kabesang Tales – head of a baranggay, joined Simoun in rebellion
after experiencing oppression
Padre Florentino – Secular Filipino priest, chose to live alone to
avoid the temptations of a prestigious position and high
income,the last person Simoun talked to before
dying
Don Custodio – High official in the government, has a mistress,
Pepay
Paulita Gomez – Chose to marry the amusing rich Juanito rather
than the serious Isagani; counterpart of Leonor
Rivera
Juli – Juliana, daughter of Kabesang Tales; Basilio’s sweetheart
Summary . . . .
 Crisostomo Ibarra returns disguised as Simoun
 Basilio recognizes Simoun
 Simoun tries to convince Basilio to join him but Basilio
refuses
 Simoun’s first attempt at revolution fails when he hears
of Maria Clara’s death and breaks down
 Basilio and mates got arrested
 Juli persuades friar to help her with Basilio’s release,
but instead gets killed escaping from the advances of
the friar
 Simoun arranged Basilios release; Basilio, bitter and
vengeful joins him
Summary . . . .
 Simoun Plants the bomb at the wedding reception of
Juanito and Paulita filled with illustrious guests
 Basilio bothered by his conscience tries to escape;
Basilio sees Isagani and tells him about Simouns plot
 Isagani throws the bomb into the river
 Simoun takes refuge in Padre Florentino’s house
 Simoun confesses everything to Padre Florentino
 Padre Florentino expresses his conviction that Simoun's
plans failed because he chose to do them by unjust
means