Noli Me Tangere, El Filibusterismo Essay

Both novels, the Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not) and the El Filibusterismo, (The Filibuster) inspired by the patriotic ideals of national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, depict the abuses suffered by the native indios at the hands of Spanish tyrants. The Noli paints us an ugly, yet clear picture of the so-called â€Å"social cancer† that deteriorates the society. The first of those two masterfully-crafted works, the Noli lays the most liberal, realistic and fearless view of the country’s well-being during the 300-year Spanish regime. It illustrates the rotten system of governance, the illicit ways of the church and the unfavorable trade of the privilege class. The Noli also relates how the government, the church and the privilege class manipulate the people. The government deprives the youth of education and how they use the people’s ignorance to their advantage. The treacherous friars by means of God and faith controlled the people, making them dummies of all sorts. On the other hand, the privilege class used their elite status to get ahead of everybody, by hook or by crook — employing the â€Å"me first† attitude. In the Noli, the weak and disposed seemingly lose hope resulting to unfortunate deaths (as the case Pilisopo Tasyo) and sometimes insanity. (as the case of Sisa) Hence the oppressed formed a brotherhood that hopes to liberate the country by use of force. To no avail, due to disorganization and lack of arms, each and every attempt at resistance failed. In Noli, the character of Juan Crisostomo Ibarra was introduced, an intelligent and promising young man who has high hopes of changing the course of the country.