Chapter 1 – A Gathering
Don Santiago de los Santos – better known as Capitan Tiago, reputed to be the most generous man who hosted the gathering in his house.
Teniente – an officer of the Guardia Civil who talk little but is brief and harsh, the one who engage refuting the statements of Padre Damaso
Padre Sybila – Parish priest of Binondo and a former professor at San Juan de Letran. The one who stood between Padre Damaso and Teniente during their exchange of remarks
Padre Damaso – The villain in the chapter who thought that he is above them all and everything he says and everything he do is righteous
Señor Laruja - the blond man, one of the civilian who was a newcomer and wanted to know the country which was engage to a conversation with Padre Damaso
Capitan Tiago’s old cousin, Tiya Isabel – the only woman who receives the visitors and the one who offers cigars and betel nuts for chewing
Doctor de Espadaña – old hobbled Spaniard, with gentle and harmless features and the husband of Doña Victorina de Espadaña who remain speechless.
Doña Victorina de Espadaña – a Filipina wife of the doctor who has conversation with Señor Laruja and Padre Damaso. She portrays to be the laughing stock because of her remarks that was foolish.
“I say what I want to say! I mean that when the parish priest throws out of the cemetery the corpse of a heretic, nobody, not even the King himself, has the right to interferer, much less impose punishments.” - These words from Padre Damaso showed his rudeness not even for the living but even for the dead. His traits have been the true mirror of contradiction to the religion that they want to spread in the Philippines during their time. He thinks that a person in a habit is more righteous than to those who act according to the word of God.
“Measure the person through his deeds not on his wealth, fame and race.” – Being judgmental doesn’t result to a good thing because looks can be deceiving.
Chapter 2 – Crisostomo Ibarra
Crisostomo Ibarra – He was the special person in the gathering hosted by Capitan Tiago. He had just arrived from a long stay in other country where he learned so many things that made him a credible person and it can be seen on his acts, beliefs and how to engage in a conversation. It is evident when he did not retaliate to Padre Damaso’s remarks.
Padre Damaso – still portrays the same person in the first chapter who always belittled the person that he had spoken with. However, in this chapter, Ibarra still consider his traits and did not argue anymore with him.
Capitan Tiago – The one who dedicated the gathering to Ibarra and also the one who introduced the latter to the friars.
Teniente – He became a soft hearted person upon knowing the Ibarra was the son of the late Don Rafael whom he considered as the most worthy and honorable. He also wishes Ibarra to be happier than his late father.
Capita Tinong – He invited the newcomer for a lunch on the next day but Ibarra politely denied the invitation. His role shows how hospitable the Filipinos are and even a new face will be invited to their house.
“Allow me to bypass the rules of strict etiquette. I have been out of the country for these last seven years, and on my return I cannot help but greet her most precious adornment-her women.” Rizal emphasized the women as the most important member of the society because they are the ones who must develop the thinking of teaching their children how to fight for their liberty because he knew that fighting for it is a long battle because their living had been dictated by the friars.
“I do not call upon inspiration to drag itself down and to tell lies” – these words came from a young poet who refrain from writing because he was suppressed in showing his ideas but lead to write according to censors. It signifies the cowardice of some back then when they just accept the system with contesting it by showing what they feel and what they really wanted to.
Chapter 3 – The Dinner
Padre Sybila – He was engage to a battle with Padre Damaso to a professorial chair which means of superiority however he wins and offered it to the Teniente thus showing his humility though he was one of the religious official.
Padre Damaso – The friar who tried to have the seat as a symbol of status quo but in a manner that would not be too obvious by trying to offer it with Padre Sybila. During the main course, what he left for him was neck and wing. This means that the more you bad deeds never had a good benefit.
Tiniente – Refused the offer of Padre Sybila to sit in the refuted chair. He’s character portrays that the church must be separated with the state since during Rizal’s time; the church is the one who runs the state.
Capitan Tiago – The host who has no seat in the dining table. He’s role portrays how we Filipinos accept our guest and pleasing them to up to the extent that we have neglected ourselves.
Señor Laruja – The one who breaks the ice during the dinner by opening a conversation with Ibarra. His act showed the culture of other land where new acquaintances must exchange views as a part of knowing each of them which signifies the culture in Europe where Ibarra has been.
Crisostomo Ibarra – Still the main character and the center of all attention. He portrays a man who really loves his country though he acquired learning from other land. He emphasized his love for Spain by stating that it his second homeland. He showed composure though he was once again belittled by Padre Damaso.
Doña Victorina de Espadaña – Still has the foolish remarks that makes the readers smile but with unpleasant attitude whose signifies the traits of some, where what is shining is not always gold.
Doctor de Espadaña – his role shows less talk less mistake personality.
“I always found that the prosperity or the misery of the people is in direct proportion to his liberties and concerns and consequently to the sacrifices or selfishness of its ancestors.” – It implies that to have the changes, everyone must act now because what we do for today will affect the future of our children.
“In the Philippines the most useless person in the supper or feast is the one giving it: to begin with, the master of the house can be thrown out into the street and everything will proceed as usual. In the actual state of things it is almost or the good of the Filipinos not to be allowed to leave the country or to be taught to read…” – During the Spanish friars era, what they want is their teaching to be always present in the minds of every indio in order to be controlled by them because once the indios learned of the things outside their backyard, they will be asking how free are they?
Chapter 4 – A Heretic and a Subversive
Crisostomo Ibarra – In this chapter, he reminisce the past and compared it in the present situation where he found that after several years of living in the foreign land, nothing have change in his homeland.
Teniente Guevarra – He disclosed everything to Ibarra what had happened to his father wherein from being a noble man to be a prisoner who died in jail whose sentenced to a crime by defending the boys from the collector who is hurting them.
Don Rafael Guevarra – Father of Crisostomo who was sentenced and died in jail. His ordeal started when he accidentally killed a Spanish tax collector who hurt the boy in San Diego. After being jailed, he was accused of being heretic and subversive where there are false witnesses who pinned him down.
Señor A – Filipino lawyer who refused to defend the case of Don Rafael because he thinks that he would lose it for him due to his defense would motivate another accusation against him.
Señor M – A peninsular lawyer who defended masterfully and brilliantly the case of Don Rafael
“Everything moves slowly” – This pertains how the Philippines developed during Rizal’s time because there have been no changes in the state of life of the ones he observed. It is connected to his statement that what we are now is the decisions made by our ancestors and our decisions will be the life of our children.
“Though you are good, once you are native, your worth is not enough.” – Discrimination is the name of the game during the time of Rizal or even discriminating ourselves because we think that we are in the inferior race. Colors have dominated our minds where whites are the superior while non-whites are the inferior being.
Chapter 5 – A Star in the Dark Night
Crisostomo Ibarra – He plays the role of an observant Rizal where he explains the acts and traits of different person according to their culture and social standing. What mingle in his thoughts is the suffering of his father while he is away and having the joy with the company of others.
Maria Clara –She was introduced in this chapter as pretty but somehow has no ability to choose and decide for herself.
“…pours wine over the flowers amidst others’ applause and drunken laughter…” – This implies to Ibarra’s life overseas while his father has sufferings. It also reminds me of the truth that we failed to remember what we have left behind while enjoying our life in the place where we are presently belong.
Feminism – This chapter showed how women are treated during the Spanish era. Women have been introduced as inferior member of the society wherein they cannot decide nor choose what is good for them and to their families as well.
Chapter 6 – Capitan Tiago
Capitan Tiago – He is father of Maria Clara that was properly introduced in this chapter through different aspect; physical, sociological and psychological. He is famous in the whole Manila because of his generosity, and success in business. However, his physical look is contrast to her daughter.
Doña Pia – Wife of Capitan Tiago and mother of Maria Clara. She was introduced as the beautiful woman from Sta. Cruz who hand in hand helped her husband to make fortune and social status. Having no child in their first six years pushed her to do pilgrimages in different patrons.
Tiya Isabel – The woman who raised Maria Clara since her mother immediately died after she was born.
Padre Damaso – San Diego parish priest who encourage Capitan Tiago and his wife to do pilgrimage in order to be blessed with a child. He also stands as the godfather of Maria Clara who since then, made suggestions in a commanding manner in the life of Capitan and his daughter.
Maria Clara – she portrays the typical childhood-to-teenage upbringing of her Tiya Isabel. She grew up in San Diego with Crisostomo Ibarra as her friend. She was sent to Binondo to receive rigorous training in religious education.
‘Caprices of the pregnancy” – This has been the explanation of the persons around Doña Pia where her health broke down when she was carrying Maria Clara in her womb. This kind of belief was imparted by the friars in order to hide their wrongdoings.
The friars intervene with the life and decisions of the indios during those times because they don’t want them to learn since they fear that once the indios have learned of the life outside of theirs, they would want the freedom to decide and choose what is good and right for them.
Chapter 7 – Idyll in Azotea
Tiya Isabel – She helped Maria Clara to fixed herself in order to see and had a conversation with Crisostomo, her childhood friend and she also convinced Capitan Tiago that Maria Clara would better to spend her vacation at their house in San Diego since the fiesta is getting near.
Capitan Tiago – Convincing her daughter to have a vacation and she made her to choose if in Malabon in San Diego to breathe some fresh air and decided that Maria Clara will no longer return in the convent.
Maria Clara – is haunted by her childhood memories in San Diego where she failed to finish the mass because of her want to see Ibarra, her childhood friend, however, he waiting had ended when she and Crisotomo had a conversation in the Azotea and they reminisced the memories of their past seven years ago. She plays the role of a typical Filipina that would wait for her love and hold onto his promises come what may.
Crisostomo Ibarra – Plays the role of a true lover where in distance and time can never be a hindrance to fulfill a promise and to continue what have been started many years ago. His character also showed the love for his homeland where everything he does, what have been done is for the benefit of it.
“You will no longer return there.” Those words implied to Maria Clara in fulfillment of Capitan Tiago and Don Rafael’s agreement that in due time, their children will marry each other.
Maria Clara had no choice but to accept the fact that her life has been dictated by her godfather who suggested that she would have religious teaching though her father can send her to other school where she can learn things about the society. It is clearly showed that church has the control to the lives of the indios back then.
Chapter 8 – Memories
Crisostomo Ibarra – He was the subject of this chapter where upon seeing the things around Manila, the memories of his boyhood came back to him which he compared to the present situation. Though there are unpleasant sceneries of oppression and signs of poverty, it is undeniably that there are a lot of beautiful things and places in and out the walled city.
“Do not forget that if knowledge is the patrimony of humanity, it is inherited only by those who have heart.” – Though Rizal is explaining the bad and good things about what he have seen in his surroundings, he implies the importance of education. Where sharing of education is a must that he wanted to share with his fellowmen.
The brutality and carelessness of prisoners to his fellow prisoner which instead of helping each other to lessen the agony and pain of their ordeal, some of them try to bully those who are weak. It implies to the society wherein the characteristics of dog-eat dog is imminent as well as how the man of church gave no reaction to the needs of those whose being oppressed but instead increased they burden they already had.
Chapter 9 – Some Country Matters
Padre Damaso – Went to the house of Capitan Tiago to discuss things after he learned that Maria Clara will be going to fetch her things. However, the discussion with the Capitan was not elaborated but made him to put out the lights of the candle that symbolizes his prayers of in Ibarra’s safe journey.
Capitan Tiago – Portrays a man with a great fear to the friars wherein even in his own home, his decision have been influenced.
Padre Sybila – He was introduced in this chapter as working behind the back of Ibarra which was his assignment from the old Dominican priest. He delivered his information and observation about the personality of the young man.
Old Dominican priest – He was visited by Padre Sybila wherein he disclosed that the arrival of Ibarra becomes a threat in their corporation and though it is better that Ibarra would marry Maria Clara because it would mean that they can own him, it much better if he chooses to declare himself as the enemy of the church.
“Our power will last long as long as the indios believe us.” These words came from an old Dominican priest wherein Rizal would want his readers know that in centuries of oppression, the friars used their habit to psychologically incapacitate the indios to think and just rely to what they say. He also wants the readers to be aware of the things around them and try to decide for themselves and refrain from waiting for miracles.
The understanding and participation of the people contributes well that benefit to the development of the society. It was clear to the old Dominican priest that once the people of the society gained knowledge and their understanding develops; all their wealth will vanish as what have been their ordeal in Europe that’ s why they have introduced many beliefs to the indios that would make them think of their present situation.
