Rizal's Childhood: Evidences and Interpretations

The early life of Jose Rizal, had moments of joy and sorrow. In his memoirs, Rizal
shows us how tough things were for him and his family when he was a kid. One of
the primary issues that shaped his early life includes the unjust imprisonment of his
mother, Teodora Alonzo, which highlights the flaws in the justice system; the
emotional impact of losing his little sister, Concha, at a young age; and Rizal's
experiences as a young student in Biñan, where he faced teasing and punishments
but remained committed to his education.

The issue of Teodora Alonzo's unjust imprisonment is a significant part of Rizal's

early life. She got in trouble for something she didn't do. An infamous woman, in
connivance with a lieutenant of the civil guard, who was a friend of Rizal’s family,
accused her husband of being a poisoner and Rizal’s mother as his accomplice for
which his mother was imprisoned by Mr. Antonio Vivencio del Rosario, a fanatical
mayor, a servant of the friar. She had to confess to things she didn't do because she
was forced to. Because they told her that if she did not say what they wanted her to
say, they would declare her guilty. But later on, they realized she was innocent. This
whole situation shows that the way they did justice back then was not fair. It also
shows how some people abused their power by accusing her wrongly. This whole
thing made a big impact on Rizal's childhood. He saw how people in charge could do
wrong things, take away people's rights, and how they needed to change things in
the Philippines.

Another key issue is the death of Rizal's younger sister, Concha, when he was just
four years old. The evidence related to this event is derived from Rizal's statement in
his memoirs, where he expressed the sorrow he felt upon losing Concha. However,
Rizal didn't tell us exactly how or why Concha died. He left out those details. The
absence of such information raises questions about the circumstances surrounding
Concha's passing, which Rizal chose not to elaborate on.

The third issue revolves around Rizal's time as a young student in Biñan. His early
education wasn't easy. He had to deal with teasing and getting punished. He
described how tough it was. Even though he went through a lot, he didn't give up.
He worked hard in his studies and even won medals. His friends respected him
because they saw how determined he was. This determination when he was young
became the strong base for the important things he did later in life, like becoming a
famous scholar and someone who wanted to make positive changes in the
Philippines.
Looking at the evidence presented, Rizal's early life had both tough times and his
strong will to overcome them. His mom, Teodora Alonzo, was put in jail unfairly,
showing how the justice system was broken, and Rizal saw how some people
misused their power. When his little sister, Concha, passed away, it left many
questions because he didn't explain how or why it happened. When he was a young
student in Biñan, he faced teasing and punishments, but he never gave up on his
education. This shows he was determined and hardworking, which would later make
him a respected scholar and a reformer. So, Rizal's early life experiences shaped him
into the person who played a big role in Philippine history.

Reference:
Biong R.D., Boria, R.P., Tarroza, R.T., & Villarama, J.J.T. (2020). The Life and
Works of Rizal. Z.C, WMSU: History Department Faculty.