Chapter 61

TUGISAN SA LAWA / PURSUIT ON THE LAKE

 I. Plot
As Elías rows Ibarra to safety after stopping at María Clara’s house, he suggests a plan: he
will hide Ibarra at a friend’s house in another town while he goes to Ibarra’s grandfather’s
tomb, where he has hidden Ibarra’s money. He’ll then help Ibarra leave the country, safely
transporting him to Spain where he can live free of danger. Ibarra invites Elías to come live
with him abroad, but Elías declines.
  As they row on the lake, Elías points out that Ibarra’s newfound will to fight contrasts his
earlier reluctance to support revolution. Ibarra argues that this is because he can now see
“the horrible cancer gnawing at this society.”  As Ibarra and Elías debate, a boat of Civil
Guard members starts chasing them. Ibarra ducks beneath bales of hay, and Elías tries to
out-row the Civil Guard, but it’s clear they’ll catch up.
  Bullets skim the water around them, and just before Elías dives overboard, he tells Ibarra
to meet him on Christmas Eve at his grandfather’s tomb in the woods. Then Elías dives and,
as expected, the Civil Guard follows him, shooting all the while. He plunges deep and swims
for long periods of time, only surfacing occasionally for air. After a half hour, the guards
don’t see him resurface, and they think they see hues of blood in the water.
 II. Symbolism and explanation.

 This chapter symbolizes the impending revolution of the Filipino

people against Spain.
 The characteristics of Crisostomo Ibarra reflect the personality of Dr.
Jose Rizal
   The civil guards reflect those people who have loyalty to their
sworn duty.
III. Message in relation to the Philippines situation at the
time

This chapter manifested the true Filipino characteristics whereas

Elias' personality demonstrates that the Filipino is not easily
intimidated by oppressive authorities.
Rizal as Ibarra. He represents the rich youth's idealistic ideals.
They both had the courage to save lives and fight for the rights and
freedom of our fellow Filipinos.