El Filibusterismo

Like Simoun, Basilio is a recurring character from Rizal’s first novel, Noli Me Tángere. He’s a deuteragonist, a secondary character, who at times acts as Simoun/Ibarra’s confidant in that they share a past—and he himself is the keeper of Simoun’s true identity. Basilio came from a poor family: His father had an addiction to gambling, and he himself and his brother, Crispín, worked as assistants to sextants, who physically abused them over trivialities. Ultimately, a friar accused the boys of stealing. Basilio was able to flee, but his brother disappeared, supposedly beaten to death. With the loss of her sons, Basilio’s mother’s perception broke from reality, and she eventually died. Her death coincided with the death of one of Ibarra’s friends and was the point where Basilio and Ibarra’s narratives joined. Ibarra helped bury Basilio’s mother and Basilio helped Ibarra cremate his friend.

The men meet again 13 years later, both having changed. Basilio resembles the Ibarra from the first novel, as he is contemplative, educated, has a certain call to wealth (being patronized by Captain Tiago), and looks toward a bright future as a doctor and husband to Julí. However, unlike Ibarra, he lacks interest in politics and balks at joining Simoun in his plans for reform. But like Ibarra, Basilio loses everything due to the evils of others. He joins Simoun’s failed revolt and disappears shortly thereafter.

Isagani is a deuteragonist and the novel’s primary political voice on behalf of those who seek educational and societal reform in the Philippines. Unlike Simoun, who seeks change through violence, Isagani seeks change through peaceful means, primarily through the education of the Philippine populace—which makes him a foil to the protagonist. He is one of the more intelligent students in Manila, who is able to obtain greater knowledge from his studies than his fellow students despite the lacking education system. He is loosely betrothed to Paulita Gómez, a desirable debutante and niece of Doña Victorina, who hires him to track down her runaway husband. It is Isagani’s love for Paulita that leads him to obstruct Simoun’s revolt. Overall, he is a static character.

A secondary character, Father Salví is the most prominent of the clergy and a primary antagonist. Like many of the characters, he featured in the first novel. Father Salví is described as a thin, morose man with sunken eyes. He was a friar in the town of San Diego, from where Ibarra hails. He lusted after María Clara (Ibarra’s betrothed), and after she went to a convent, he became its director. It is implied that Father Salví regularly abuses her. He appears to be more superstitious than the other friars, as he knows he’s guilty and fears Ibarra’s retribution. He is a static character.