RLW 1018 FLEXIKIT (Module Activity 7)

Acantalicio, Marianne F.
2nd Year College
BS Accountancy

ACTIVITY: CHARACTER ANALYSIS

Part 1. Ibarra and Elias

1. How different are the two from one another?

Ibarra, who hails from an affluent family and went to school in Europe, and Elias,
who is on the run, have radically different social backgrounds and occupations. They
are similar in that they both recognize the need for change and have firsthand
experience with societal injustice. Ibarra wants systemic reform, although Elias
agrees that given the suffering of the local population. They disagree on how to
improve society.

2. What does Juan Crisostomo Ibarra represent? Who can be his modern
counterpart? Why?
Ibarra is a great example of patriotism and idealism since throughout his career, he
has worked to make the system better without fundamentally altering it. This may
be due to Ibarra's wealth and education, demonstrating how the system favors his
socioeconomic class despite the tragedies. Ibarra's modern adversaries typically
embrace liberal ideals and advocate for improvements, thus I assume that they are
privileged and educated.

3. What does Elias represent? Who can be his modern counterpart? Why?
Elias, on the other hand, acts in place of the common people because he was a
victim of the worst aspects of Spanish oppression. His thinking and opinions are
even more extreme than Ibarra's because his class has experienced the most abuse
and is already weary of it. I believe Elias' contemporary counterparts include civil
rights campaigners and even communist rebels, whose beliefs are frequently more
extreme and who have also encountered the worst of modern society.

Part 2. Padre Damaso & Padre Salvi

1. In what ways are the two friars similar/different?

Even though they are both crooked and hypocrites, the two friars have different
personalities and strategies for achieving their objectives. Padre Damaso is more
raucous and combative and likes to engage in verbal combat with his adversaries. In
contrast, Padre Salvi is more restrained and clever, battling his adversaries by
deception as opposed to direct conflict. Both friars are strong and well-respected,
but Padre Salvi approaches the town's alferez with more aggression.

2. Provide proof in the novel for your claim

In the novels, it is demonstrated that both friars were corrupt: Padre Salvi for his
love of Maria Clara and his shady methods to accuse Ibarra of subversion; and Padre
Damaso for his role in the disputes between Don Rafael and Ibarra Ibarra and the
 memories of his father were repeatedly disparaged by PadreDamaso, who was more
aggressive from the start. In contrast, Padre Salvi employed a diplomatic and
reserved approach to deal with Ibarra, particularly when he connected Ibarra to the
revolt.

3. What does Padre Damaso represent? Who can be his modern counterpart? Why?
(it could be a non-cleric)
A prime example of the arrogant, immoral, and anti-Filipino friars of that era is
Padre Damaso. Any person in a position of authority or belonging to a higher social
class who exploits their resources, exaggerates their importance, or is hostile
toward the weak is his modern equivalent. He was aggressive, hostile, and constantly
disparaged others around him, just like he did to Ibarra and his father, which serves
as evidence for this.

Part 3. Maria Clara

1. In the novel, how was the character of Maria Clara presented?

Maria Clara, as Capitan Tiago's daughter, was portrayed as a lady of riches and
respect. Throughout the book, she has complications with his lover Ibarra, including
the breakdown of their engagement, problems with their love letters, and the
startling admission that she is Padre Damaso's daughter. Throughout the book, the
character's frailty and disease are depicted and utilized to defend her choice to
become a nun after losing the love of her life.

2. What does the character of Maria Clara represent?

the breakdown of their engagement, problems with their love letters, and the
startling admission that she is in reality Padre Damaso's daughter in his connection
with Ibarra. The book demonstrates the character's vulnerability and illness, which
are then used to defend her choice to become a nun after losing the love of her life.
What characteristics define Maria Clara as a person?

3. Was the character successful as the novel progressed?

I don't sure we can call the character successful given her inability to improve
things given the events surrounding his lover and herself. She was unable to shed
the negative connotation that she was frail and ill. However, I'd like to assert that
when she decided to check herself into a mental institution following her lover's
alleged demise, she partially succeeded in controlling the course of events.

4. What was the role of women in the 19th century? How was this projected in the
novels?
As I said in my answer to the second question, the Spanish played a role in the
development of the stereotype of Filipino women as shy and submissive. Although
gender equality was a concept that existed in the Philippines prior to colonization,
Filipina women were portrayed in this image as advocates of a patriarchal society.
Examples of this include the restrictions and expectations placed on the story's
female protagonists, such as Maria Clara, Sisa, and Dona Victorina.

REFLECTION
Write an essay by answering the following questions:
a) What is freedom?
b) How is the lack of freedom portrayed in the novel?
c) How is the situation in the novel different from today?

Restoring Human Dignity

Every person has the unfettered, unconditional right to freedom at birth. Others cannot
take your freedom away from you unless you commit a crime that could limit it. All people
in our world should be able to enjoy freedom, which comes with many rights and privileges.
Moving around freely or not being confined to a cage or other enclosure are not sufficient
conditions for something to be free. Freedom should encompass rights like the ability to
vote, the freedom of the press, and the freedom of speech for everyone, not just a
privileged few. Everyone has the right to independence and self-determination, which
means they shouldn't be regarded as second-class citizens or as slaves in their own
country, is another point that is emphasized. Equity, equality, and the advancement of
human dignity work hand in hand with freedom in order to ensure that it is realized.

The story focuses on the brutality of the frailocracy and the Spanish government. Spanish
colonists in the Philippines exposed Filipinos to racial prejudice and social injustice.
Women were not included in the patriarchal society, which did not address gender
inequality. Because of this failure to uphold dignity, freedom cannot be achieved due to
equity and equality. Filipinos did not obtain a sufficient education because of the
antiquated and heavily religiously oriented educational system. Discussions that were
critical of the Church and the Spanish government were not permitted, and the atrocities
committed by the officials were not brought up. Also, significant censorship was impeding
meaningful discussions and press freedom.

Filipinos are more free than ever before, comparable to the 19th century. We exercise our
right to self-determination, and as a result of the fact that the rest of the world respects
and upholds our sovereignty, we are no longer seen as second-class citizens in our own
nation. Voting, journalistic freedom, and freedom of expression are only a few of the rights
that Filipinos can currently practice and enjoy. However, I believe that because of our
colonial heritage, prejudices, racial discrimination, and unfairness still exist now. The
techniques utilized to guarantee that all Filipinos have freedom still need to be improved,
such as giving them access to education and giving them opportunities that maximize their
potential and give them the power to shape the future.