Chapter 08: Memories
After visiting Maria Clara, Ibarra proceeds to San Diego. Along
the way, one thing is quite evident: After being away for seven
years, Ibarra saw no changes whatsoever.
Some Notes
-
This chapter shows a country's lack of progress during those
times. Rizal likens the "good Filipino" to the Barkas
Bridge -- it is dilapidated but continues to serve others, rises
and falls at the whim of the Pasig river's tide, and sometimes
gets destroyed by the river. At that time, Filipinos continued
to serve the oppressive government.
Questions and Answers
- What did the old priest mean when he advised Ibarra: "Do
not forget that if knowledge is the patrimony of
humanity, it is inheried only by those who have the heart"?
Everyone has the opportunity to learn or be educated. However, studying
is not easy -- you need perseverance, self-denial and much sacrifice.
You need money for tuition and books, and you have to avoid giving into the
temptation of an easy life (parties, booze, gambling...you know, FUN stuff).
As a result, only those who have the will and a keen desire to learn will be
able to finish their studies and achieve knowledge.
- What lesson is Rizal trying to impart with the priest's:
"I have tried to transmit to you what I have received from my teachers;
the riches I have endeavored to augment as much as I could, and I am passing
it on to the following generation. You will do the same with those who
come after you, and you can triple it, for you are going to very
rich countries"? In other words, this is the responsibility of an
effective and meaningful citizenry. A citizen should strive to become learned or
to educate herself so that she can contribute to the betterment or welfare of
generations who will follow her.
- Explain: "They come in search of gold; go to their
country to look for that other gold which we lack. Remember, however,
that all that glitters is not gold." While the Spaniards are mining
the gold in the Philippines, the Filipinos should go to Spain or to Europe
and study there in order to get the gold otherwise known as Knowledge. Note that the
last saying admonishes Ibarra to discern which learnings in Europe are valuable
and which are worthless.
- Who is this old priest? From his statement ...you can triple it,
for you are going to very rich countries... look for that other gold which we lack... we can guess that the priest is a Filipino who got educated in the Philippines.
One can speculate that this priest refers to someone like Padre Burgos who was executed in
Bagumbayan (Take note of the line: That man had died in Bagumbayan [in reference to the
old priest]).
- Explain: "No, despite everything, the country first; first
the Philippines, Spain's daughter; first the Spanish nation!
No, that which is fated does not tarnish the Motherland. No!" Ibarra believes
that the execution of the old priest was a tragedy and an insult to good sense. His
great love for mother country Spain, however, prevented the senseless death of the priest
from detracting from the dignity of Spain. While Ibarra loved the priest, and even if
he owed the priest a lot because of the many lessons in life that he received,
he never allowed revolutionary feelings to surface because his love for Spain and the Philippines was greater.
Please note that online novel and chapter summaries, study guides and notes, Cliff notes, biography or study packs, criticisms and critical analysis, or even essays on character and plot analysis are just supplementary materials. Please read the entire novel to gain a full flavor of Rizal's writings, and to also help develop yourself as a student and writer. Also, don't just read these free book summaries. The physical act of note taking will help you retain the things you've learned.
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