Prezi on the Comparison and Contrast between the Themes of Noli and Fili

Comparison and Contrast

of Themes of Noli and Fili

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We can even see in the introduction in the book itself that it states that the theme of el Fili is about colonialism. Whether or not colonialism is right if it is to civilize a race, should said race rebel or assimilate. If independence is wished for, should it be peaceful or bloody?

You can see for yourself in the introduction of Noli, that the book isn't exactly anti-church nor anti-catholicism, but it doesn't glorfiy the spanish friars and the church established in the Philippines, but rather slanders it in a way. Describing the abuse of women and children by the friars, the disregard of the filipino people by the Spanish at the time.

Theme of Noli

Theme of El Fili

El Filibusterismo's theme seems to focus on how to reach a social reform and revolution. A number of chapters have long dialouges of text that seem to resemble debates, an example being chapter 7: Simoun,in which Simoun tries to convince Basillio to join the bloody revolution, almost like Darth Vader trying to convince Luke to join the dark side. This represents Rizal's fading hopes for reform against his long-held abhorrence and aversion to revolution. The book focuses on the inevitable revolution and whether or not the Philippines should rebel peacefully and diplomatically or violently.

The theme of Noli Me Tangere seems to expose the exploitations commited by the Spanish friars and government officials. The various friars in the book were arrogant, condescending to the filipinos, and greedy. They represented the infamous behaviour of the Spanish friars in the Philippines. The brutality of other officials and authorities are also shown in the novel. It is a lot more hopeful and a little romatic than in comparison to el FIli.

Depiction of Ibarra

Depiction of Simoun

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Comparison/Similarites

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The novel's dark theme constrasts greatly from Noli Me Tangere's very hopeful and romantic atmosphere. Ibarra's change and longing for revenge signifys his last resort for the Philippines freedom, resorting to violence, as a vengence for what has happened to him in Noli, and how the his previous efforts have had almost little to no effect to the country and the Spaniards treatment of the Filipinos.

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I have noticed that this novel focuses a lot more on the church. This book is a lot more hopeful than el Fili, which can be very dark and violent. The novel goes on, however, detailing the abuses of the military and the church The church kept the masses afraid by their teaching them about hell, and if they(the Filipinos) don't follow the Spanish, they will be sent to hell and such.

Similar topics are brought up in both of the books. These topics being the dire need of reform in education, the abuse of the Filipinos by the hands of the Spanish the friars, the corruption of the politicians and officials. There's also the characters returning from Noli appearing in Fili, these being Ibarra, now Simoun, Basillio, etc. There are also mentions of Ibarra in various chapters in el Fili.

In the dedication in el Filibusterismo, Rizal dedicated to books to the memory of the Gomburza from Cavite. They were executed by the spanish. They were blamed for instigating a small mutiny and were executed. I feel this is noteworthy as it creates, in my opinion, a bit of a contrast with Noli's dedication. The Gomburza were unjustly killed by the Spaniards, which is also paralleled with one of the chapters in Fili.

In the dedication of Noli Me Tangere, Jose Rizal dedicated the novel the the Philippines itself. He states how the fatherland is pleagued by a social cancer. This shows how the novel is more focused on the Filipinos and the Philippines. To quote Rizal himself,"The Novel is the first impartial and bold account of the life of the tagalogs. The Filipinos will find in it the history of the last ten years…"