Across
- 2. – A wealthy Filipino businessman who symbolizes colonial collaboration. He gains wealth by aligning with Spanish authorities but suffers personal tragedies.
- 6. – The beautiful love interest of Isagani. She eventually marries a wealthier man, representing the sacrifice of love for social status.
- 8. – The sweetheart of Ibarra and the symbol of purity, virtue, and the ideal Filipina woman. Her fate in the hands of the friars underscores the helplessness of women in colonial society.
- 9. – A young Spaniard introduced in Noli Me Tangere. He is a relative of Doña Victorina and is proposed as a suitor for Maria Clara.
- 12. – A tragic character in Noli Me Tangere, mother of Crispin and Basilio. She symbolizes the suffering of Filipino mothers under Spanish rule. Her descent into madness after the disappearance and death of her sons reflects the brutal injustices inflicted by the authorities.
- 13. – A scheming and manipulative friar who lusts after Maria Clara and is instrumental in Ibarra’s downfall.
- 14. – A Spanish student who joins the Filipino students in their fight for educational reform in El Filibusterismo, symbolizing hope for solidarity between Spaniards and Filipinos.
- 17. – Representatives of the Spanish clergy who abused their power over Filipinos, symbolizing religious hypocrisy.
- 18. – The protagonist of Noli Me Tangere. An idealistic and wealthy young Filipino who returns to San Diego after studying in Europe, aiming to bring progress and reform to his hometown. His dreams are shattered by the corrupt Spanish authorities, pushing him towards revolutionary ideals as Simoun.
- 21. – A character removed from the final version of Noli Me Tangere. She was intended to be Elias’s love interest, representing the simple, honest life of the rural Filipina.
- 24. – Spanish for “freedom,” representing the desire for independence.
- 26. – Basilio’s love interest in El Filibusterismo, who works as a servant to pay for her father’s ransom.
- 27. – The national hero of the Philippines and the author of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. His works exposed the injustices of Spanish rule and sparked the call for reform.
- 30. – A Spanish quack doctor and the submissive husband of Doña Victorina.
- 32. – A symbolic steamship in El Filibusterismo, representing the stagnation and corruption of the Spanish colonial government.
- 37. – A parish priest, often depicted as corrupt and manipulative in Rizal’s works.
- 39. – A minor character in El Filibusterismo. He is a disfigured man who becomes an accomplice of Simoun, driven by personal hatred and social injustice. He helps in the conspiracy to incite rebellion as revenge for his brother’s death.
- 41. – A student in El Filibusterismo who becomes disillusioned with the oppressive educational system.
- 43. – A deeply religious woman in El Filibusterismo who exploits her servant Juli, highlighting the hypocrisy of religious devotion without true compassion.
- 44. – A passionate poet and idealist in El Filibusterismo. He symbolizes youthful optimism and revolutionary spirit. His love for Paulita Gomez is overshadowed by societal pressures.
- 48. – A convent or religious institution for women, particularly nuns. In Noli Me Tangere, it is mentioned as the place where Maria Clara is sent after the traumatic events involving Ibarra.
- 49. – The main character in El Filibusterismo, the sequel to Noli Me Tangere. Simoun is the transformed identity of Crisostomo Ibarra, who faked his death and returned as a wealthy jeweler to incite revolution and seek revenge against the Spanish authorities who wronged him.
- 50. – The highest-ranking official in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era, appearing in both Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.
Down
- 1. – A mysterious foreign magician who appears in El Filibusterismo. He performs an illusion called the “Sphinx” at the Quiapo Fair, revealing hidden messages of revolution and awakening among the Filipino audience.
- 3. – A hardworking farmer in El Filibusterismo who loses his land to friars due to unjust taxes. His transformation into a bandit leader represents the fight against colonial oppression and injustice.
- 4. – He is the liberal vice mayor (teniente mayor) of San Diego in Noli Me Tangere. He is portrayed as progressive-minded and supportive of Ibarra’s ideas for reform, symbolizing hope for political change.
- 5. – A Filipina woman who despises her Filipino roots and pretends to be of Spanish descent. Her vanity and obsession with European culture criticize colonial mentality and self-hatred.
- 7. – The capital of the Philippines, serving as the setting for many events in both novels.
- 10. – The people of the Philippines, whom Rizal advocated for in his fight against Spanish oppression.
- 11. – A wealthy and influential student leader in El Filibusterismo. He represents optimism and the desire for reform through education.
- 15. – The town where significant events in El Filibusterismo unfold, symbolizing the countryside’s struggle.
- 16. – Cockfighting, symbolizing the distractions that keep the Filipino people complacent.
- 19. – The fictional town in Noli Me Tangere symbolizing typical rural Philippine life under Spanish rule.
- 20. – A wealthy student leader in El Filibusterismo. He is known for his optimism and generosity, funding the students’ campaign for educational reform.
- 22. – The primary antagonist in Noli Me Tangere. A powerful and abusive friar who represents the oppressive rule of the Spanish clergy over Filipino society. He is also revealed to be Maria Clara’s biological father.
- 23. – A major commercial street in Manila during the Spanish era, representing the influence of Western commerce.
- 25. – Sisa’s son, who survives the events of Noli Me Tangere and grows up to study medicine in El Filibusterismo. His journey symbolizes the struggle for education and the hope for societal reform.
- 28. – The wise old philosopher in Noli Me Tangere. Seen as a madman by the townspeople.
- 29. – A Spanish term for “subversive” or “insurgent.” It is used to describe those who challenge Spanish authority and seek reform or revolution.
- 31. – A major theme in both novels, depicting the cruelty and abuse suffered by Filipinos.
- 33. – Central to El Filibusterismo, symbolizing the struggle for independence.
- 34. – Rizal’s advocacy for Filipino pride, unity, and independence from Spanish rule.
- 35. – The convent or residence of the parish priest. In Rizal’s novels, it symbolizes both religious authority and corruption, as it is often the place where political manipulation and schemes are plotted by the friars.
- 36. – The military chief or head of the local police in Noli Me Tangere. He is married to Doña Consolacion, and the two are known for their cruelty and harsh treatment of the townspeople. The Alperes represents the military aspect of Spanish control, often clashing with the friars over power and influence in the town of San Diego.
- 38. – Father of Kabesang Tales and grandfather to Juli.
- 40. – Kapitan Tiago’s cousin who helps raise Maria Clara. She symbolizes traditional Filipino values and family ties.
- 42. – Symbolizes hope and healing for society; Basilio’s path represents the future of the Filipino youth.
- 45. – Symbolizes the excesses and corruption of the friars and Spanish officials.
- 46. – A mysterious revolutionary who helps Ibarra in Noli Me Tangere. He symbolizes the voice of the oppressed and the hope for peaceful reform. His death serves as a catalyst for Ibarra’s transformation into Simoun.
- 47. – A Spanish term for “heretic.” In Noli Me Tangere, Crisostomo Ibarra is branded as an “_____” and a “filibustero” (subversive) by the friars and authorities because of his progressive ideas and opposition to the abusive practices of the Church.