Paper 7: Rizal Letters Paper

Paper 7: Rizal Letters Paper

Austin Blanch | F11

The four letters by Dr. Jose Rizal that I have gathered accordingly, depicted a general tone of writing. He composed his letters as if he was writing a fiction literature. His consistent use of words of elaborate made an over all impression of formality and the same time ingenious. To further justify this inference, I will specifically critique the four letters that I got. First, the letter for his mother, Teadora Alonso, dated 3^rd of April 1895 when he was exiled in Dapitan. He was asking his mother to give hospitality and treatment like that of her own daughter to Miss Josephine L. Tauffer - she also called herself Josephine Bracken. This is the Irish young woman who accompanied Mr. Tauffer of Hong Kong to Dapitan, seeking Rizal's services as ophthalmologist. In this letter Rizal wrote, “She is almost alone in the world; she has only very distant relatives”[1]. It was as if writing the true reason to treat her well was not enough or will not be understood by her mother. He drew on to this to emphasize that her mother must extensively be oblige to treat her perfectly.

Second, his letter to Ferdinand Blumentritt dated 24^th of April 1887 at Jaegerstrasse, Berlin when he wrote his thoughts regarding his return to the Philippines. He admits that he considers Germany as his scientific mother country and reiterates his regret about leaving the country. Nevertheless, he finds consolation in the thought of seeing his family again and his beloved country, the Philippines. According to him, he will be of better use in this place. In this letter Rizal wrote, “I'll return to my country because my father has already forgiven me and I have permission to return home” and “If I could receive periodicals I would not feel there as if banished from my scientific mother country”.[2] He writes as if he was deeply attached to what he calls his scientific mother country – Germany. It somehow gave me an impression that he was thinking very colonial and superior to other countries (almost or a hairline to being racist).

Third, his letter to José Ma. Basa dated 19^th of April 1891 at De Champagne, Brussels when he was depressed on account of the marriage of his fiancée, Leonor Rivera, to Mr. Charles H. Kipping. Kipping was an English engineer of the Manila Railroad and due to Rizal’s disappointment with the Filipinos at Madrid that he wanted to leave Europe at once, even borrowing money from his friend, Mr. José Ma. Basa. He was a businessman in Hong Kong and a member of the propaganda that helped to sneak in copies of La Solidaridad in the Philippines. In this letter Rizal wrote, “Now I again insist on it; I am decided to leave as soon as I receive your letter, I will board the first boat; if I had the money now, I would embark at once”.[3] As I read this letter, I felt his emotion that he desperately needed to return back home. Essentially, this particular letter brought me to a new perspective that Rizal had real sentiments and emotions; Rizal was human. He was indeed more than being a diplomat and a novelist, for reasons that he actually has reasons to feel outraged and angry to his fiancée’s marriage.

Fourth, his letter to Father Vicente García dated 7^th of April 1891 at Madrid, Principe when he expressed his appreciation and gratefulness after Garcia defended him from the impetuous, heretic, and blasphemous letter written by Fr Rodriguez, an Augustinian friar. In his defense-letter the priest belied Fr Rodriguez's accusation that Rizal was an "impious man, a heretic who hated religion and Spain." According to Padre Garcia while the friar was quick to issue such accusations, he failed to cite any proposition made by Rizal that showed his "impiety, heresy, or blasphemy." Padre Garcia then proceeded to cite various phrases in the Noli that showed the hero to be the exact opposite of the heretic and blasphemer that Fr Rodriguez had accused him of being. In this letter Rizal wrote, “All that these men have studied, learned, and discovered will die with them and end in them, and shall go back to recommence the study of life. There is individual progress or improvement in the Philippines, but there is no national, general progress”.[4] Emphasizing on the tone of the whole letter and the selected text mentioned, he wrote with flowery language to further accentuate what he truly meant – that the individual only improves alone and not with his other people. Merely one benefits from his success and gains from the improvements and innovation that he brought to the society. He generally wants the individual to share what he discovered; contributing to the future generations.

Letters are considered primary sources for analysis and study of a person. It is a first-hand evaluation of experiences and endeavours that happened during his time. By reading Rizal’s letter, one can re-evaluate his conception on Rizal, different from that of the textbooks. As what I came across, I imagined him actually writing to someone I know or at times to myself. What is problematic with this study is that people would be subjected to their own past impressions on Rizal; giving the author of the letter a biased interpretation to the tone of the letters. It is important to not to take out into context the letters as it will have various meanings. Knowing the author, place, time, recipient and the history or the purpose of the letter are crucial pieces of information to consider. In conclusion, reading personal letters for academic purposes are very tedious and should be done professionally.

Miscellaneous

235. Rizal, Madrid, 7 January 1891 || To Fr. Vicente Garcia

Defense of the truth, humanity, and justice is undeserved if it's to be thanked for -- We need the experience and the applause of the old -- Let us turn our eyes towards our elders -- Leave us our thoughts and the fruits of your experience in writing -- Many have died without bequeathing to us anything more than the fame of their name -- There's individual progress, but not national -- A tear and a just word when one succumbs -- "I've suffered harsh death for saving men. What have you done for your brothers and sisters?"

Madrid, Principe

7 April 1891

Father Vicente García

Manila

My esteemed Sir,

I have long wished to write you, not to thank you for the just defense that you, before anybody else, dared to write about my first book [The Noli me tángere], but to seek light for the uncertain road of the future. I say that I have no intention to thank you because that would offend you, and because the steps that you have taken in defense of the truth, of humanity, and of justice would loose their value if they are to be thanked for. May God reward them and men content themselves in admiring and imitating them!

I belong to the young generation, anxious to do something for the country and uneasy about the mysterious future. I need to come to men who have seen much and studied more so that with their experience they may supplement our youth and limited knowledge. We need the blessing of the old, besides the applause, to encourage us in the colossal struggle and the gigantic campaign that we have thrown over our dwarfish shoulders. However great is our enthusiasm, however, confident in our youth, however promising are our illusions, we hesitate, nevertheless, in certain moments, especially when we find ourselves alone and abandoned.

In the titanic task of common regeneration, without stopping in our forward march, from time to time, we turn our eyes toward our elders to read their judgment of our actions on their faces. For this thirst of understanding the past, of knowledge, to enter into the future, we go to persons like you. Leave us your thoughts and the fruits of your long experience in writing so that, condensed in a book, we may not have to study again what you have already studied and that we may increase the heritage that we receive from you either expanding it or adding our own harvest to it.

The smallness of the advancement that the Filipinos have made in three centuries of Hispanism is all due, in my opinion, to the fact that our talented men have died without bequeathing to us nothing more than the fame of their name. We have had very great intellects. We have had a Pinpin, a Dr. Pilapil, a Father Peláez, a Father Mariano García, a Dr. Joson, and others. We have still a Benedicto Luna, a Lorenzo Francisco, and more. Nevertheless, all that these men have studied, learned, and discovered will die with them and end in them, and shall go back to recommence the study of life. There is individual progress or improvement in the Philippines, but there is no national, general progress. Here you have the individual as the only one who improves but not the species.

In the twilight of life, when in the fresh afternoon breeze one reflects on the struggles and weariness of the day, how sweet it would be to communicate your thoughts to those who are preparing for the battles of the following day!

The beautiful and immaculate career of your life, ending in the sublime work of the redemption of the wretched and the suffering, would be the most beautiful sanction of our sacrifices and a holy blessing to encourage us in the struggle. I do not wish to flatter you telling you that you will still live long. May you live longer than I for the glory of your native country and my satisfaction, for surely you will have a tear and a just word when I succumb for the cause I am defending! But, by the natural order of things, it seems that you are to die before me in a more or less distant time. What shall you say to your God, you, a priest of a religion that has declared all persons to be equal? What shall you say to God who has hated tyranny and has made human intellect free when He asks you, "What have you done for the unfortunate and the oppressed? In what have you employed your extraordinary intelligence and your enlightenment? Why have you not followed the impulses of your heart which has shuddered at seeing injustice, ignorance, abjectness, and sufferings everywhere?" What shall you reply to that God when He tells you: "I have suffered harsh death for saving others. What have you done for your brothers and sisters?"

Pardon this frankness of my heart for there is no censure in it. Who am I? A youngster who is not yet a man, who has no other merit but to think according to his convictions and afterwards to express them frankly.

Admiring you always and wishing that you impart to us a part of your learning, I close this long letter of mine wishing you to enjoy good health.

Your affectionate servant who kisses your hand,

José Rizal

Correspondence with Family Members

Recommending Miss Josephine L. Tauffer to his mother —That she give her hospitality and treat her like a daughter, as an esteemed and dear person to Rizal.

Dapitan, 14 March 1895

Mrs. Teodora Alonso
Manila
My very dear Mother,

The bearer of this letter is Miss Josephine Leopoldine Tauffer1 whom I was on the point of marrying, counting on your consent, of course. Our relations were broken on her suggestion on account of the numerous difficulties on the way. She is almost alone in the world; she has only very distant relatives.

As I am interested in her and it is very possible that she may later decide to join me and as she may be left all alone and abandoned, I beg you to give her hospitality there, treating her as a daughter, until she shall have an opportunity or occasion to come here.

I have decided to write the General2 to find out about my case.

Treat Miss Josephine as a person whom I esteem and value much and whom I would not like to be unprotected and abandoned.

Your most affectionate son who loves you,

José Rizal

If Trining can't come alone, it is very easy for her to come with Antonio.

1 This is the Irish young woman who accompanied Mr. Tauffer of Hong Kong to Dapitan, seeking Rizal's services as opthalmologist. She also called herself Josephine Bracken.

2 That is, the governor general.

Ferdinand Blumentritt

Jose Rizal writes his thoughts regarding his return to the Philippines. He admits that he considers Germany as his scientific mother country and reiterates his regret about leaving the country. Nevertheless, he finds consolation in the thought of seeing his family again and his beloved country, the Philippines, where, according to him, he will be of better use. Rizal ends his letter by acknowledging Ferdinand Blumentritt's advice regarding Weber's catechisms and his (Rizal's) health; and by asking permission to use Blumentritt's opinion regarding the Noli Me Tangere.

The return home —'To leave Berlin when now it pleases me most. . . ." — Rizal's father is anxious to see him — Sorry to leave Europe — "I'll be more useful in my country. . . .” — Bids Blumentritt farewell — "To admire Berlin in spring. . . ." — "If I could receive periodicals I would not feel there as if banished from my scientific mother country." — The catechisms of Weber — "In Manila only pleasant things are read, utile dulcissimo!

Jaegerstrasse, Berlin
24 April 1887

Esteemed Friend,

At last frigid winter is over. Today we have had 15 degrees of warmth and the trees are beginning to be clothed with green leaves. I hope that that is also the case in your country, because within a few days I'll leave Berlin with my countryman en route to the Philippines, and I should like to pass through that town to bid you farewell. I'm really sorry to leave Berlin because it is now that I like Berlin best. I have met some kind families and now precisely I have to say to them goodbye forever! I'll return to my country because my father has already forgiven me and I have permission to return home. This day (today the letter arrived) is for me a day of glory! Rejoice with me! But, despite everything, I feel a sweet melancholy for having to leave the beautiful, free, cultured, and civilized Europe; but I'll be more useful in my country than here. Here nobody needs me. If in my country I could maintain my relations with the good German scholars, if I could receive some good periodicals of civilized Europe, then I would not feel there in my native land like an exile from my scientific mother country.

Soon we shall see each other and talk of everything. I'll follow your advice. We shall arrive there on Thursday. I don't know yet if we shall start from here at the beginning of May or later. We want to admire Berlin in spring; so we are waiting until the trees turn green and bloom. I'll inform you of my arrival one week in advance so that you can change on time your Thursday or Friday lecture. But I beg you not to make any change in your manner of living. I should like to know the authentic Bohemian life.

The translation of Waitz1 has remained incomplete, but I'll ask my bookseller if he can get me a loose volume of the work. My family expects me about June or July.

I find your advice concerning the catechisms of Weber (=Max Weber) proper and practical, especially if I could embellish them a little, because in my country they like to read only pleasant things — utile dulcissimo! I admire the academicians of the German scientific societies who remain seated for hours listening to most boresome lectures without relaxing, without losing their patience. In Madrid that would be incredible.

Dr. Olshausen has asked me for some explanations about my Noli. It is not easy to tell him the content of the book as he is not acquainted with our conditions. Will you permit me to tell him something of your opinion of the work? Dr. Reiss also congratulated me, but he does not know our country as well as you do.

Your advices on how to protect our health in the different seasons are very useful because the weather is very changeable. My countryman2 (who greets you affectionately) caught a cattarh as a result of our excursion to Charlottenburg.

With my best greetings I wish you a beautiful spring, health, and joy.

Colleagues in the Propaganda Movement

Rizal, Brussels, 19 April 1891 || To José Ma. Basa

Rizal decided to leave for Hong Kong as soon as he receives Basa’s letter – Nothing now detains him in Europe.

38 Rue Phil. De Champagne

Brussels, 19 April 1891

Mr. José Basa

Hong Kong

My dear Friend Basa,

In my previous letter I asked you if you could advance me the passage money to that colony via the Messageries Maritimes. Now I again insist on it; I am decided to leave as soon as I receive your letter, I will board the first boat; if I had the money now, I would embark at once. (01)

Enclosed are one letter for Buencamino and another for my family. It seems that Buencamino has repented of his past and now is working attain for his countrymen.

I hope we meet soon. With this is my photo as a souvenir.

Affectionately yours,

Rizal

You may address your letter to me t 38 Rue Phil. De Campagne, Brussels.

___________

(01) At this time Rizal was quite depressed on account of the marriage of his fiancée, Leonor Rivera, to another man (Mr. Charles H. Kipping, an English engineer of the Manila Railroad) and of his disappointment with the Filipinos at Madrid that he wanted to leave Europe at once, even borrowing money from his friend, Mr. Basa.

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[1] Rizal, José. Letters between Rizal and family members. Manila: National Heroes Commission, 1964.

[2] Rizal, José, and Ferdinand Blumentritt. The Rizal-Blumentritt correspondence. Centennial ed. Manila: José Rizal National Centennial Commission, 1961.

[3] Rizal, José. Letters between Rizal and the reformists. Popular ed. Manila: José Rizal National Centennial Commission, 1962.

[4] Rizal, José, Pablo Pastells, and Raul J. Bonoan. The Rizal-Pastells correspondence: the hitherto unpublished letters of José Rizal and portions of Fr. Pablo Pastell's fourth letter and translation of the correspondence together with a historical bacakground and theological critique. Loyola Heights, Q.C., Manila, Philippines: Ateneo de Manila University Press, 1994.