Jose Rizal and the Invention of a National Literature PDF

Jose Rizal and the Invention of a National Literature As formally defined, literature, originating from Latin word “litera” which means letter, is a discipline that critically analyzes texts to unravel the emotions and messages that are intended by the writer to the readers. Literature, as a subjec...

Jose Rizal and the Invention of a National Literature As formally defined, literature, originating from Latin word “litera” which means letter, is a discipline that critically analyzes texts to unravel the emotions and messages that are intended by the writer to the readers. Literature, as a subject of formal learning, finds its worth since the writings of the iconic individuals should be treated as a reflection to the context which the author wrote. Simply, literature is a mirror of history of a nation. During the Spanish colonialism, the Philippines had undergone several transformation in terms of orthography and social communication. For instance, history proved that the indigenous “Baybayin” (system of writing of the pre-colonial Filipino ancestors) was replaced by the Roman alphabet as this was used in the inculcation of Catholic doctrines through written literatures. Furthermore, the inculcation of the Catholic faith among ancient Filipinos was reinforced upon the publication of Doctrina de Christiana by Fr. Juan Portocarrero (also known as Fr. Juan Plasencia) and Fr. Domingo Nieva which is considered to be the very first Spanish book printed in the Philippines in 1593 followed by Fr. B. San Jose’s Nuestra Señora del Rosario which was the second Spanish book printed in the country in 1602. In terms of influencing the values system of the Filipinos, Modesto De Castro’s Urbana at Felisa became infamous for this literature suggest how an ideal woman behaved and later on became influential to the values system of a conservative 19th century Filipino woman. Deciphering on the 19th century Philippines, Spanish writers such as Felipe del Pan, Francisco de Paula Entrala and Antonio Vasquez de Aldana were considered as the literary elites influencing Filipino writers like Isabelo Delos Reyes and Pascual Poblete. These Spanish literary elites gained control of the secular press; hence, the Catholic indoctrination became more effective and efficient. Eventually, Rizal became an emerging literary genius during this period. In 1880 which happened to be the birth year of the Propaganda Movement in Europe, Jose Rizal was only 19 years old when he won the first prize in a literary contest in Manila. His master piece was an essay, El Consejo delos Dioses (The Council of the Gods) which elucidated the character of Cervantes. For Rizal, each writer should possess the characteristics of Cervantes who could be considered as the icon of reason who seeks for the truth in the society. In this essay, Jose Rizal also argued about social correction which tend to challenge the maltreatment of the Spanish authorities to the Filipino people. This maltreatment encompasses the proliferation of culture of impunity against the Indios, racial discrimination and deprivation of basic human rights among Indios such as right to property, suffrage (right to vote), and right to education. According to Rizal’s belief, Spain can be credited for its contribution in helping the Filipino nation to experience the grandeur of Western civilization; however, with this development the Spanish authorities particularly the friars, became too arrogant and unjust for the Filipinos. Following the construct of Rizal, Resil Mojares (2013) in his literature Jose Rizal and the Invention of National Literature argued that literature can be also treated as a social weapon which could unite a civilization. In doing so, there must be the so-called national literature to solidify the sentiments of the Filipinos and boost their sense of empathy with one another. The instigation of a national literature could also help the Filipino nation to realize the uniqueness in their historical struggle and value their shared experiences in which may serve as an inspiration to transform the country to a progressive nation. Furthermore, Mojares (2013) reasoned out that the current Filipino society should have a national literature to unify Filipinos and to create common goals for the progress of the entire nation. The perceived national literature could greatly reflect the ideals and dreams of the Filipino people and could transform them into productive members of the society by helping them to realize their self-worth. Mojares (2013) also argued that there were four fundamental steps in inventing a national literature. In doing so, the following table summarizes the fundamental steps needed to instigate a Philippine national literature: Steps in Inventing a National Literature STEP 1: Asserting Difference Involves disengaging from the dominant discourse as promoted by the colonial regime and reviving the literature of the pre-colonial roots such as the original Malay civilizations as gleaned on folklores and traditions STEP 2: Internationalization Includes the removal of foreign elements and the assertion of indigenous literature such as the Tagalog literature, Cordilleran literature, Ilocano literature, and Cebuano literature in the global society STEP 3: Establishing of Publishing and Literary Societies Require the creation of a strategic discursive community through genuine literary societies that will promote the genuine Filipino literature and directed to create foundational fictions which are the reflections of society’s real-life struggles STEP 4: Writing Enormously Implicates a writer to write in order to influence; that writing must not be treated as a means to become affluent but as means to educate others Being an inventor of national literature, a writer should also learn the processes of selection (What to write?), essentialization (How to write?), subordination (Is the subject of the writing a top priority of the society?) and exclusion (What makes the writing unique?). With these aforementioned concepts, the perceived national literature is an integral tool in creating a nationalistic sentiment and tangible process of nation-building. As such, the literary works of Jose Rizal such as his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo may be treated as national literature in order for the Filipinos to be enlightened about the social defects of the Filipino society. Moreover, Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa and Kartilya ng Katipunan by Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Jacinto, respectively, could be also worthy as national literatures for they inspire the Filipinos to be nationalistic and sensible to the needs of their country… RIZAL AND THE THEORY OF NATIONALISM Chapter Overview: This chapter presents fundamental premises on nationalism which served as the core virtue for the passage of the Rizal Law. In this chapter you will learn the different theories on nationalism such as primordialism, modernity theory, and constructivism as these were emphasized in Benedict Anderson's book titled Imagined Communities. Furthermore, this chapter provides a brief historical overview of the Hispanic Philippines where Rizal lived and reflected on. 1) Primordialism: The national identity can be reinforced by the existing and deep rooted features of a group of people like race, language, and religion such that nations have "ethnic core." In other words, Primordialism is the idea that nations or ethnic identities are fixed, natural, and ancient. 2) Modernity Theory of Nationalism: National identity is a product of modern conditions and shaped by modernity as gleaned on the events of capitalism, industrialization, secularization, and urbanization. Modernists argue that nationalism is the product of the specific effects of the modern age, dating roughly to the late Enlightenment or to the French Revolution specifically. They also emphasize the role of the international system in the forging of national identity. 3) Constructivism: Nationalism is socially constructed and imagined by people who identify themselves in a group. In relation to this perspective, Anderson (1991) argued that nationalism is a virtue embedded in the imagined communities. The constructivist theory states that national identity is forged in response to social and historical circumstances in which nationalism is a method of finding replacements for the loss of some cultural concepts. RIZAL'S SOCIAL ORIGIN AND HISTORICAL CONTEXT Chapter Overview: This chapter presents the historical context of Rizal’s life including the social, political, religious and economic changes occurred. The 19th century agrarian dispute in Hacienda de Calamba which was owned by the Dominican friars before became a site of agitation in 1887 when the colonial government required the tenants of the hacienda to report on the income and production of the estate since there were verified complaints about the abuses of the Dominicans to the tenants. Moreover, this chapter will also present significant conditions that led to the emergence of Chinese mestizos as important actors of Philippine history. Chapter Summary: According to Vaño (1997), modern imperialism can be traced back during the period of overseas exploration and outward expansion of Europe at the zenith of the Renaissance Era. The expedition of Magellan in the Philippines in 1521 was considered to be the first effort to extend the Spanish sovereignty among the natives. Then, it was firmly established by Miguel Lopez de Lagazpi, the first Spanish governor general in the Philippines when he founded the first settlement in Cebu. Considering the contributions of the Spanish friars, they directed the building of roads and bridges and founded schools. For instance, Colegio de Manila was the first college for boys established in 1589 under the Jesuit order while Colegio de Santa Potenciana was the first boarding school for the ladies during the Spanish colonialism. Until the 18th century, Philippines was only meant little to Spain but suddenly in the advent of 19th century, the Philippines became one of Spain’s locus of economic power for it served as the locus in the introduction of tobacco monopoly and the promotion of agricultural development led by Jose Basco y Vargas. In relation to this developments, the Philippines opened its borders to world trade in 1834. Regarding the turmoil of Spain in the 1830s, the Liberal group was successful in campaigning for constitutional reforms that led to the promulgation of the 1837 Spanish Liberal Constitution that created a constitutional monarchy which limited the powers and functions of the monarch. In contrast, the Liberal Cortes abolished the representation of the Philippines and declared all provinces of Spain to be governed by special laws. This led to the implementation of the Leyes de Indias as the basic law to colonies - Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Cuba. As the political tensions wewe still in place, Isabel II was overthrown as a result of the September Revolution of 1868. Then, Amadeo of Savoy was proclaimed as the king of the provisional government. In 1869, the Spanish Radical Constitution took effect that resulted to the foundation of the First Spanish Republic. In 1874, Antonio Canovas del Castillo, a dominant personality in Spanish politics performed a decisive political act of reinstating the Bourbon monarchy in the person of Alfonso XII, son of Isabel II. The restoration of the monarchy took place and it was unopposed. In the Philippines, Governor General Carlos dela Torre encouraged the aspirations of the reformist thinkers and abolished the censorship of the press. In addition, the overseas minister, Segismundo Moret signed a decree seizing the University of Sto. Tomas, the oldest existing University in Asia, under the administration of the Dominican friars and placing it under the Spanish government. However, the reforms granted by Dela Torre and the decree signed by Moret were not successful since Governor General Rafael de Izquierdo took control of the government in the Philippines in 1871; hence, all reformist policies were abrogated. On January 20, 1872, the Cavite Mutiny which was participated by Filipino soldiers and peasants took place. This mutiny was immediately suppressed by the Spanish authorities. As a result, nine Filipino priest and thirteen lawyers and businessmen were deported in the Marianas Islands. Three priests Fr. Jose Burgos, Fr. Mariano Gomez and Fr. Jacinto Zamora were executed by garrote (head crusher) for their alleged rebellious acts. Concomitantly, the execution of the GOMBURZA priests and the discrimination of the Filipino clergy were treated as the collateral damage in the attempt of the Filipinos to resist the Spanish government. Their martyrdom led to their heroism in the eyes of the Filipino public; thus, some historians treated GOMBURZA as incidental heroes. Regardless of this perspective, the GOMBURZA priests especially Fr. Jose Burgos, had been implicated during his early struggles in the secularization of the Filipino church from the dominating Spanish clergy for he believed that Filipino church is for Filipinos. 19th CENTURY PHILIPPINES The 19th century Philippines marked the emergence of Philippine nationalism. The policies and programs of the Spanish colonizers were challenged by the oppressed Filipinos. 1.) The Philippine local government structure were divided into alcadias (provinces today), ciudad (cities today), pueblos (municipalities today), and barrios (barangays today as the smallest units). Approximately 120 Spaniards were given grants that were composed of large tracts of land known as “sitio de ganado mayor” measuring 1,742 hectares and smaller tracts of land known as “caballerias” measuring 42.5 hectares. 2.) Social stratification has been observed - a.) Peninsulares; b.) Insulares; c.) Mestizos; d.) Principalia and e.) Indio. The wealthy mestizos and members of the principalia continued to amass economic and cultural capital. 3.) In 1785, Jose Basco established the Royal Philippine Company to finance agricultural projects and manage new trade since the Galleon trade was already a losing enterprise. 4.) Elites in the Philippines belonged to the political and religious orders. The Dominican friars acquired lands in Laguna and utilized them for proprietary purposes. 5.) The Chinese merchants who settled in the Philippines founded Binondo as Chinese town in Manila in 1594; however, a royal order for the expulsion of all Chinese in the Philippines took effect. Later, Governor General Dasmariñas realized that Chinses settlement in Manila could help for the assurance of economic stability in the area; hence, he purchased a fraction of land in the walled city and gave it to the prominent Chinese merchants. 6.) Agricultural development in the Philippines focused on hemp and sugar industry. Later on, Governor General Hurtado de Corcuera imposed the oppressive Bandala System (quota system on agricultural products per province). 7.) From1883 to 1887, Hacienda de Calamba conflict emerged when the Dominican friars were collecting rents without issuing usual receipts and continuously increasing the rent without valid justification. Then, later on, the colonial government demanded the tenants of the hacienda to submit a report on the income and the production of the estate because the government suspected the Dominican friars were evading payment of their taxes. 8.) For efficient taxation scheme, Governor General Narciso Claveria issued the “catalogo de appellidos” in 1849 among Filipinos (popularly known known as the Claverian Doctrine). 9.) There was a high demand for social reforms and independence due to Spanish oppression and the call for the Filipinization of the Philippine churches as advocated by the GOMBURZA. The secularization efforts of the Philippine clergy was intensified due to unjust discrimination favoring the regular Spanish clergies. The most prominent individuals for this secularization efforts were Fr. Mariano Gomez and Fr. Pedro Pelaez. 10. Around 1887, Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere, seeking for a new form of administration gained fame but later challenged by the Spanish friars particularly through the publication of Jose Rodriguez “Caingat Cayo”, warning the people not to read the novel. 11.) In 1891, Jose Rizal published his second novel, El Filibusterismo which can be argued as book of revolution. Looking into the historical context during Rizal’s era, it can be concluded that this was the history in which the struggle for national identity and genuine Filipino progress were the priorities of the Filipinos. Hence, Rizal is often called the “First Filipino” for he figured the rise and the dominance of the principalia class and raised awareness about the abuses of the Spanish authorities. He also tried to convey a historical consciousness by carefully examining the irregularities of the Spanish regime in the Philippines.