El Filibusterismo

* To whom is the Fili dedicated?
* The Fili is supposed to be a continuation of the Noli. This being the case, what is the gap between the last event of the first novel to the opening of the story of the Fili?
* Point out the similarities of the TABU and the Philippine ship of state.
* What characters have we previously met in the Noli? What new characters?
* What were the topics of conversation on the upper deck?
* What suggestions were proposed to that end?
* Why was Doña Victoriña on the upper deck? Where was she going?
* What were the topics of conversation on the lower deck?
* Relate the story of Father Florentino?
* What legends were told to entertain the passengers during the trip:
* What did the case of Cabesang Tales illustrate?
* Why was the "cordero" molested by the guardia civil?
* Who was Bernardo Carprio?
* How did Basilio become "encargado" to Capitan Tiago and attain the status of a medical student?
* Why did Simoun spare the life of Basilio?
* Describe in his own words how Simon would carry out his activities?
* Why was Simoun opposed to the teaching of the Castilian language?
* Describe Basilio's attitude towards the teaching of Castilian?
* Why would Basilio not join Simoun's revolutionary activities?
* How did Simoun regard this refusal of Basilio??
* How did Juli (Basilio's sweetheart) redeem Cabesang Tales from the clutches of the tulisan?
* Why did Simoun choose Cabesang Tales' above for displaying his jewelry?
* Were people in those days fond of jewelry?
* How did Spaniards gain things without paying for them?
* How did Simoun secure Maria Clara's locket?
* What did Simoun mean by saying, "At last I have found my man?"
* Why did Cabesang Tales do with Simoun's revolver?
* Why was Tandang Selo arrested?
* Where did the Governor-General spend his vacations at that time?
* Why were so many prominent people congregated in Los Baños?
* How did the Governor-General carry on his official duties?
* What was Don Custodio's solution to the problem of school buildings?
* Summarize the arguments pro and con on the proposed Academy of the Castilian language?
* What was the final decision on the petition of the students?
* Does Placido Penitente deserve his name?
* Describe the class in physics.
* Describe student life in the boarding houses.
* Who was Makaraig?
* What proposals were presented to gain the goodwill and favorable decision of Don Custodio?
* What was Sr. Pasta's reaction to Isagani's petition for help?
* Who was Quiroga? Why did he entertain so many people lavishly in his house in Escolta?
* Did Quiapo play an important role in the social life of Manila in those days? If so how?
* Why did Mr. Leeds' show attract so many customers? What did Ben-Zayb mean by a "question of mirrors?"
* Why did Padre Salvi lose consciousness during the "sphinx" performance?
* Who helped Simoun in his revolutionary activities?
* What was the main object of Simoun's first uprising? Why did it fail?
* How did Don Custodio finally dispose of the question of the Academy of Castilian?
* What did Padre Irene advise the students to do?
* Were the students overjoyed by the results of their petition?
* Was Padre Irene sincere in his advocacy of the Academy of Castilian Language?
* What were the "pasquinades?" What were the consequences?
* What important matter was discussed between Padre Fernandez and Isagani?
* Why was Captain Tiago buried with much pomp in spite of his failure to make a confession before his death?
* Why did Doña Patrocino want to die soon after Capitan Tiago's death?
* What Filipino type did Don Primitivo represent? Sisters Bali and Penchang?
* What is the main theme of Si Tandang Basio Macunat?
* Why did Juli decide to sacrifice herself?
* Why was Basilio not freed when all others had been liberated?
* What type of Spaniard did the High Official represent?
* Who succeeded in finally liberating Basilio?
* What does Rizal man by "la ultima razon?"
* Who frustrated the "revolt" of Simoun this time?
* How did Don Timoteo's guests learn of the identity of the author of the "joke?"
* How was the incident reported in the newspapers?
* Was the "thief" of the lamp discovered?
* What were the so-called tribulations of Ben-Zayb?
* How did the authorities discover the identity of the mastermind of the "revolt?"
* Why was the number of "tulisanes" increasing in those days?
* Who was Matanglawin?
* Why were the guardias civils so cruel and callous?
* Why was Don Tiburcio de Espandana in the house of Padre Florentino?
* Who was the Spaniard referred to in the telegram?
* How did Padre Florentino explain the failure of Simoun's plans?
* Why did Padre Florentino throw Simoun's jewels into the sea?
* Quote Padre Florentino's famous apostrophe to the youth?

These Questions come from the book, A Portable Rizal Reader: Selected Essays & Poems by Maximo P. Fabella

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