Professional Documents
Culture Documents
To The Flowers of Heidelberg
To The Flowers of Heidelberg
To The Flowers of Heidelberg
Jose P. Rizal
Rizal, Jose P. ͞To the Flowers of Heidelberg.͟ Translated by Encarnacion Alzona. In 2
. Manila: National Historical Institute, 2002, Pp. 130-131
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: In this poem, Jose Rizal effectively employs natural imagery to express his longing for the Philippines. He also wishes peace for his country
and countrymen, and subsequently compares a person far from his homeland to a flower losing its fragrance.
While in Europe for the first time (1882-1887), the loss of Riza's mother's eyesight made him more determined to specialize in ophthalmology. After his studies in
Spain in 1885, he went to Paris and worked in the clinic of Dr. Louise de Wecker, Europe's leading ophthalmologist. He went to Heidelberg and worked under Dr.
Otto Becker where he learned practical operations on eye diseases. He also worked in the clinic of Dr. Carl Schweigger in Berlin and took lessons in ophthalmology in
the University of Leipzig. Fascinated by the beauty of German spring and a feeling of nostalgia, Rizal found inspiration in the beauty of the blooming flowers and the
fragrance of the woods. This inspiration gave birth to a touching poem entitled, "To the Flowers of Heidelberg" which he wrote on April 24, 1886.
P. Rizal
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Spoken from four points of view, Rizal shows the importance of labor and industry in preserving life and well-being of every Filipino.
In the following few stanzas Rizal extols man's labor and industry, singing, "Praise to labor / Of the country wealth and vigor." He exhorts the youth to follow in the
footsteps of their industrious elders and thus be worthy of them, for "Incense does not honor the dear / As does a son with glory and valor."
MEN:
(Chorus)
WIVES:
(Chorus)
MAIDENS:
(Chorus)
CHILDREN: