Lineage, Life and Labors of José Rizal, Philippine Patriot

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

6867

Title

Lineage, Life and Labors of José Rizal, Philippine Patriot

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This biography by Austin Craig chronicles the lineage, life, and labors of José Rizal, the revered Philippine patriot. Dedicated to the youth, the text explores how Rizal's character was shaped by his ancestry, environment, and the struggle for free ideas. It presents Rizal as a forerunner of democracy, offering a substantial study of his growth from a provincial boy to a martyr for his nation's self-government.

Summary up to 500 words

Austin Craig's biography meticulously traces the life of José Rizal, the Philippines' greatest genius and most revered patriot. The narrative begins by establishing Rizal's lineage and the hereditary influences that prepared him for greatness, noting how selective principles worked through successive generations to produce a man of preeminent qualities. Craig situates Rizal within the broader context of world and Philippine history, illustrating how external influences and the accidents of birth shaped his character and purpose. The book details Rizal's early education and his departure from Manila, a journey undertaken stealthily like a fugitive to escape persecution. In Europe, particularly in Barcelona and Madrid, Rizal engaged with liberal Spanish circles and studied medicine, literature, and art. His time in Madrid was pivotal; influenced by works like Eugene Sue's 'The Wandering Jew,' he conceived the idea of writing a book to expose the truth about Philippine conditions. This project evolved into his masterpiece, 'Noli Me Tangere,' which he wrote with the aid of Filipino artists and companions. Craig describes Rizal's social life, his membership in the Masonic lodge 'Acacia,' and his interactions with liberal Spaniards and Filipino students. The biography highlights Rizal's dedication to education and his belief that the future of the Philippines rested with an instructed generation. It covers his travels, his observations of different cultures, and his efforts to promote reform through propaganda and literature. The text also addresses the political agitation among young Filipinos in Spain and Rizal's more mature, measured approach compared to their recklessness. The narrative progresses to the period of preparation for revolution, the formation of La Liga Filipina, and the duplicity of Governor-General Despujol, which led to Rizal's deportation to Dapitan. In Dapitan, Rizal continued his scientific work, discovered new species, and taught school, maintaining his commitment to service despite exile. The book details his final days, the writing of 'El Filibusterismo,' and his execution. Craig includes the text of Rizal's 'My Last Farewell,' a poem hidden in an alcohol lamp, expressing his devotion to his fatherland and his wish to serve its cause even in death. The biography concludes with the aftermath of Rizal's death, the desecration of his grave, and the eventual recognition of his legacy under the American and subsequent Philippine governments. It notes the establishment of Rizal Province and the erection of monuments in his honor. Craig emphasizes that Rizal was not a traitor but a martyr who prepared his countrymen for the changed conditions of a free society. The work serves as both a history and a biography, providing a larger outlook for the youth of the Philippines and illustrating the growth of free ideas in the trans-Pacific American territory.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Philosophy
• Biography