Issues why El Fili was

published
Need for reform in education
Religion issues
Abuses of friars
Corruption of officials
The social climber natives and
Spaniards

Introduction
El Fili is said to be The reign of Greed.
The title also according to Rizal is a
dangerous patriot who will soon be hanged
or well a presumptuous man. This novel is
the second novel by Rizal where the switch
of the characters has been showed. This
novel seems to be tragic novel compared
to Noli Me Tangere which is kind of
romantic.

Characters

Simoun- Crisostomo Ibarra in disguise, left for dead at the

end ofNoli me tangere. Ibarra has resurfaced as the
wealthy jeweler,

Basilio- Son of Sisa and another character fromNoli Me

Tangere. He became a servant of Captain Tiyago in
exchange for education. In the events of the book, he is a
graduating medical student who befriended Simoun. His
girlfriend is Juli.

Isagani- Basilio's friend and one of the students who

planned to set up a new school.

Kabesang Tales- Cabeza Telesforo Juan de Dios, a

formercabeza de barangay and the father of Juli and Tano.

Paulita Gmez- The girlfriend of Isagani and the niece of

Doa Victorina, the oldIndiowho passes herself off as
aPeninsular.

Father Florentino- Isagani's godfather, and a secular

priest; was engaged to be married, but chose to be a priest
after being pressured by his mother,

Doa Victorina- Victorina delos Reyes de Espadaa,

known inNoli Me Tangereas Tiburcio de Espadaa's
cruel wife.
Father rene- Captain Tiago's spiritual adviser.
Although reluctant, he helped the students to
establish the Academia de Castellano after being
convinced by giving him a chestnut.
Tandang Selo- Father of Kabesang Tales and
grandfather of Tano and Juli.
Tano- Kabesang Tales's elder son after his older
sister, He was among the battalion killed his
grandfather,
Captain Tiago- Santiago delos Santos, Captain
Tiago is Maria Clara's stepfather and the foster-father
to Basilio.
Macaraig - One of Isagani's classmates at the

Symbolism

Simoun- represents the revolutionaries.

Isagani- Is a symbol of the youth whose love if the

country is great to the point of being branded as
idealistic.

Macaraig- represents the well-to-do Filipino youth

during the Spanish era who had good dreams for the
country.

Paulita- represents a caricature woman who chooses

the best option for a more suitable life.

WRITINGS

Nationalism
Nationalism in the novel is
when Isagani has been informed
by Basilio about the plan of
Simoun in the day of Paulitas
wedding.

Background of the Study

We could actually say that the novel is
more brutal and darker than the first
novel of Rizal which is the Noli Me
Tangere. Because suicide, rape,
revenge and killing is involve. But
then, accepted his mistakes when
Father Florentino explained to him
everything including the line that God
did not forsake him and that his plans
were not for the greater good but for
personal gain.

Plot