Nicole Bornales

THOUGHT PAPER; How do Rizal’s work relate to nationalism? What is the popular view towards Rizal? Most of Jose Rizal’s work ignited a sense of nationalism. It inspired hope and liberty among Filipino men who sought independence among the colonizers. From poems, articles, short stories, and novels, he made sure it embodied Filipino narratives. Though one might claim it is for literature aesthetics, so as to depict a clearer picture; it is also imperative to argue that this brought about the most impact in his work. The characters of his work portrayed real stories of injustices during those times. His novels especially, told how Filipinos struggled with tyranny, forced labor, unequal privileges, internalized hate toward fellow Filipinos, sexism, religion as propaganda, and many more. All of which resulted to what we know now as an atrocious history of oppression. The settings of his work would go on about how beautiful our lands are and also how terribly they are exploited. His story plots would convey the conflict of man vs. man, believing it is us Filipinos against the Spaniards, man vs. society, wherein it is us Filipinos against a broken system of inequalities, and man vs. himself, having to show Filipinos with internalized prejudice against their own brothers for having to believe a doctrine that our own culture is evil. The efficacy of how Rizal’s works mobilize the masses is astounding. It is more amazing that most of these were done while he was away from our country and yet its value remains. When he told the stories of “fictional” characters, it resounded with the narratives in which the people were experiencing that time. When he told what they looked like, what they were wearing, and what they usually do, it showed Filipino culture. When he painted a picture of what Philippine places was like, it displayed the beauty of the land. This might all be just necessary parts for a story to be well-told but with these subtle touches, it bared so much power to inspire Filipinos that time. His works were relatable because they carried real-life scenarios. The nationalism came from the hidden symbolism and outright condemnation of how gravely the colonizers impacted the lives of the Filipinos. This gave a sliver of hope for whoever read it and the idea that he is not alone. There are also tons of people struggling the same way and there is the need to stop it. Though he did not exactly told the readers to rebel, there is a subtle call for everyone to wake up for the injustices will not stop unless they stop it themselves. This method obviously worked because over time his work resonated with them. His works and even to his death; people viewed him as an idealist and a patriot. Even more so, he was deemed a genius in in the academe, literature and arts. His academic pursuits shown how well he did inside the institution for constantly having good grades while balancing it with his passion for writing, and, he even knew how to paint. He is an accomplished doctor and used this to help his own mother and fellow men when he got back to the country. His family orientation made him value dearly the people who are close to him. He is also a romantic by heart, having shown love interest to some women over his bachelor days. He was all of these, which is why other than his accomplishments, his character and upbringing truly shows him as a hero material. All of the great things that made up who he is are all salient parts that made him to be the national hero we know today. His respect for the academe, his appreciation for literature and arts, and his patriotism and nationalism are all in its simple way an epitome of an ideal modern Filipino; one who knows, values and is critical of his motherland while expressing his love for the social and cultural avenues of it. His contribution to the revolution made way for the following movements. His martyrdom, his devotion to the land and care for our fellow Filipinos moved through time. Even when he was gone it continued to inspire and to this day his work still holds relevance. Liberty and equality above all as a democratic country is essential, which is also something we owe to him and our other heroes as well. It is our responsibility now as the modern generation to bring his ideals to the future to be upheld at a certain standard so that it would not lose its meaning. By reading and internalizing his works to be shared to those who lack awareness of it is the first step in educating ourselves about the past so that we can avoid falling victim in the same case today. We may not be under a colony but oppression and injustices are seen in different forms. It is in the past’s knowledge where we can get the best advice on ways to fight it and rise from it. After all, we are Rizal’s hope whom will maintain liberty farther in the future.