El Filibusterismo Characters

Characters in El Filibusterismo

• Simoun, also known as Crisóstomo Ibarra, appears to be an arrogant elitist but secretly plans a violent revolution to avenge his misfortunes and hasten Elias' reformist goals.
• Basilio, the son of Sisa, is an aspiring physician who is quiet, contemplative, and more aware of his immediate duties than politics or patriotic endeavors.
• Fr. Sibyla is a rational and calm character who serves as a foil to corrupt Fr. Dámaso and Fr. Salví.
• The Gravedigger is a cemetery worker who exhumes Don Rafael's remains and dumps the body in the lake, providing information to Ibarra about his father.
• Captain Tiago is a character from Noli Me Tangere who owns vast estates and hires Basilio as a servant, allowing him to study.

Symbolisms and Themes

• Noli Me Tangere depicts the real conditions of Filipino life under Spanish rule, characterized by corruption, backwardness, and anti-intellectualism.
• The novel symbolizes the struggle for empowerment and freedom, as seen in the schoolhouse which represents education and independence.
• Rizal's work is an impartial and bold account of Filipino life, recording the history of the last ten years.

Other Characters and Events

• Don Custodio is a famous contractor who is depicted as an opportunist who married his way into high society and is incompetent despite his scruples.
• Captain Tiago falls into depression after María Clara's entry into the convent and becomes addicted to opium, leading to his death upon hearing of Basilio's arrest.