Module 4
Works (Major)
R. De Los Reyes
2. Rizal’s important literary works
c
This part will bring some of the remarkable poems, essays and short stories
reflecting Rizal’s idea of nationalism. This also brings the reason why literature is
being connected to politics.
Rizal’s important literary works
The Most Important Literary Works by Jose Rizal
-To the Filipino Youth
-Goodbye to Leonor
-To the Young Women of Malolos
-Kundiman
-Junto Al Pasig
-Noli Me Tángere
-El Filibusterismo
-Mi último adiós
Rizal’s important literary works
To The Filipino Youth. People(Garcia.et al. Rizal and the Development of Filipino
Nationalism)
-written by Rizal as an entry to the 1879 literary contest sponsored by the Liceo
Arstistico Literario de Manila and garnered the grand prize
-is a classic in the Philippine Literature, being the first remarkable poem written in
Spanish by a Filipino radiating the tenets of nationalism
-under that poem Rizal was the first to call the country his motherland
El Consejo de los Dioses
-Rizal’s entry in the literary contest held on 1880
-an allegory in praise of Cervantes as co-equal of both Homer and Virgil
-a proof contradicting the superiority of the Spanish over the Filipinos in this field
Rizal’s important literary works
Junto Al Pasig
-a one act play composed by Rizal in response to the request of the Jesuits to be
performed during the celebration of the Feast Day of Immaculate Conception.
-according to Guerrero this play can be understood as a prophecy of continuing
revolution, or continuation of Rizal’s pleading before the Filipino youth to child
foreigner for bringing misery in life or a religious allegory.
Rizal’s important literary works
Mi Ultimo Adios
-titleless, last poem poem made by Rizal on June 29, 1896.
-Primary messages of the poem are:
farewell address, last will of Rizal, pleading of Rizal for Filipinos not to forget him
and his proposal or wish in the interest of the motherland and timeline of Rizal’s
life
Rizal’s important literary works
Goodbye to Leonor
- A melancholic poem written by Rizal for his childhood
sweetheart, Leonor Rivera, who married Henry Kipping, a British railway
engineer.
- Rizal was only 13 years old when they met in Dagupan
Rizal’s important literary works
A Las Flores de Heidelberg
- Written thru the inspiration of different beautiful sceneries of Heidelberg
by Rizal on April 12, 1886
- thematic message of the poem is his intense love of his love of country and
inculcation to his fellowmen to love their country
Rizal’s important literary works
Letter to the young women of Malolos
-request of Marcelo del Pilar to honor the women Malolos in their fight for their
right to self-improvement
-objectives of the letter are: rejection of the spiritual dominancy of the friars,
qualities of Filipino mothers need to possess including their duties and
responsibilities to their children, husbands and young women in the selection of
their future husbands.
Rizal’s important literary works
Through Education The Country Receives Light and
The Intimate Alliance Between Religion And Education People( Garcia.et al. Rizal and
the Development of Filipino Nationalism)
-two poems of Rizal dealing with his concepts of education
-the first poem makes education analogous to lighthouse that can guide
people in the courses of action, can tragic the youth to the attainment of
rectitude and virtue and can transform the country into progress
-the second poem, highlighted Rizal belief at that time that education not Godcentered is not true education .
Rizal’s important literary works
The Indolence of the Filipino People (Garcia.et al. Rizal and the Development of Filipino Nationalism)
-longest written essay by Rizal.
a. Cause of Filipino indolence imputed to Spanish colonizers
1. wars and internal orders resulting from conquest
2. Pirates’s attacks on the lives and properties of the inhabitants
3. Policy of force-labor
4. Missionaries’ doctrine of the poor getting easier access to heaven
5. Friars landed estate
6. No support system in agriculture and other commercial industries
7. Bureaucratic policies
8. Human dignity is not respected
Rizal’s important literary works
The Indolence of the Filipino People
b. Cause of Indolence attributed to the Filipinos themselves
1. Bahala na mentality
2. Inferiority syndrome within the Filipinos
3. Lack of self-confidence
4. Lack of sense of nationalism