El Filibusterismo Literary Elements

Novel, satire

The Philippines, in and around Manila, at the end of the 19th century

Omniscient third-person narrator

Grim, brooding, searingly critical, and satirical

Simoun, the disguised persona of Crisóstomo Ibarra, is the protagonist, and a cast of Spanish officials and clergy are the antagonists

The conflict is between the Spanish colonial oppressors and those they oppress. Simoun is working for the overthrow of the colonialists and using his wealth to further corrupt them with the goal of starting a revolution.

The climax occurs at Paulita and Juanito's wedding feast where Simoun almost accomplishes his goal of revenge before Isagani saves everyone at the event by throwing the bomb into the river.

Simoun's note which the guests at the wedding pass around before the planned attack alludes to a passage in the Book of Daniel in the Bible

"Bathed by the morning sun, which quivered on the river and danced on the pliant bamboo along the banks, the ship’s white figure moved on, waving a black plume of smoke—the Ship of State, too, expels a lot of hot air!"

Simoun speaks to the paradox of people supporting authoritarian despots who take power through force: "Commit the crime well, and you will be admired and have more partisans than if you had carried out virtuous actions with modesty and timidity."