Jose Rizal and National Literature

Jose Rizal and National Literature

• Jose Rizal won first prize in a Manila essay-writing contest at the age of nineteen.
• His essay, El Consejo de los Dioses, features a debate among Homer, Virgil, and Cervantes judged by Greek gods.
• Cervantes is declared the winner, credited for emphasizing social reform in his work, notably Don Quixote.
• Rizal portrays Cervantes as a moral guide, advocating art that influences human passions positively.
• The essay reflects Rizal's classical education while hinting at a subversive undertone suggesting the Philippines needed its own Cervantes.
• Written in 1880, during the early days of the Propaganda Movement, the essay captures evolving ideas from assimilationism to nationalism.
• Rizal aimed to forge a "national" literature by researching Filipino history and compiling local dialects to assert cultural identity.
• Recognized local languages as essential for national unity, while challenging Spanish literary dominance as a threat to cultural autonomy.
• Rizal posited that literature should root itself in culture, history, and the experiences of Filipinos.
• Highlighted the importance of active participation in literature as a means for empowerment and authority.
• Considered Noli Me Tangere as a reflection of current societal issues and El Filibusterismo as a projection of the potential future.

The Rizal Bill of 1956

• Horacio de la Costa's pastoral letter drafts depict Rizal as a moral figure and advocate for truth and justice.
• Despite initial positive interpretations, external pressures led to tempered views in later drafts.
• Archbishop Rufino J. Santos commissioned a “Statement” that condemned Rizal's novels but failed to prevent their readership.
• Five drafts of de la Costa's letter show varied attitudes within the Catholic Church about Rizal’s legacy.
• Draft A of de la Costa's letter presents Rizal as a true patriot who sought to uplift his countrymen and combat injustices.
• Acknowledges Rizal's critiques of Filipino societal issues, emphasizing that he did not solely blame colonial powers for local vices.
• De la Costa emphasizes the need for Rizal's writings to be taught to cultivate nationalism and moral responsibility among youth.
• Warnings in the drafts caution against misinterpretation of Rizal's fictional narratives, particularly by young readers.
• Points out the necessity of discernment in reading, to recognize characters' perspectives and the context of serious versus ironic statements.

Explore how Jose Rizal, at just nineteen, articulated a vision for national literature by winning an essay contest with 'El Consejo de los Dioses.' This quiz delves into Rizal's early literary contributions and the significance of his works in Philippine culture. Test your knowledge on Rizal's impact on literature and nationalism.