Rizal - Letter to the Young Women of Malolos PDF

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Assignment on the topic “LETTER TO THE YOUNG WOMEN OF MALOLOS” Explain the life of the Filipina women during the Spanish times and discuss why did Rizal write a letter addressed to the Women of Malolos?  Filipino Women had the power to decide for themselves, they controlled how they lived. They enj...

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Assignment on the topic “LETTER TO THE YOUNG WOMEN OF MALOLOS” 1. Explain the life of the Filipina women during the Spanish times and discuss why did Rizal write a letter addressed to the Women of Malolos?  Filipino Women had the power to decide for themselves, they controlled how they lived. They enjoyed equal status with men, were known for their wisdom and knowledge, and enjoyed the privileges of human rights. The glorious years of the women were destroyed when the Spanish arrived during the 16thcentury. When the Spaniards came into the Philippines, they brought with them their patriarchal values about women which eventually diffused into Philippine culture. The women during the Spanish period were tied to the house and their roles were confined exclusively to housekeeping and child rearing. On the other hand, there was the chivalrous idea that men should be the provider of the family and protector of the women. Women were also taught to be compliant to elders and always submissive to males. They were oriented to remain incorruptible until marriage and to focus on building skills that would make them good daughters, housewives, mothers and servants of God. Women were even barred from participating in political undertakings because it was considered a man’s work. Filipinos were familiarized to a religious and patriarchal system of education which emphasized the domestic value that women were the property of men. This infiltration of Spanish culture into Philippine norms and behavior is an evidence of feudal social relations.  Rizal wrote a letter addressed to the women of Malolos because of an article of Lopez Jaena was published in La Solidaridad, Marcelo H. del Pilar wrote from Barcelona to Jose Rizal in Madrid, on February 17, 1889, requesting Rizal to write them a letter in Tagalog commending the bravery of the women and with hopes that this valiant struggle against friar hegemony in the affairs of the Filipinos will enthuse all compatriots. Hence, Rizal sent del Pilar on February 22, 1889 the letter written in Tagalog for transmittal to the 20 young women of Malolos.

2. In the letter to the Young Women Of Malolos discuss the advises that Rizal gave as; a. as a young woman  A Filipino young woman should know how to preserve her dignity and honor.  A Filipino young woman should educate herself, aside from retaining her good racial virtues.  A Filipino young woman should have freedom of thought and the right to education, which must be granted to both boys and girls alike.  A Filipino young woman should not be easily taken by appearances and looks, because these can be very deceiving. Instead, they should take heed of men’s firmness of character and lofty ideas b. as a wife  A Filipino wife should be noble. c. as a mother  A Filipino mother should teach her children love of God, fatherland and mankind.  A Filipino wife must rear her children in the service of the state – here Rizal gives reference to the women of Sparta who embody this quality d. On Young Man  A Filipino young man should not allow himself to be deceived and hoodwinked.

 A Filipino young man should take care his own dignity and conscience to avoid following the steps of Spaniards or cruel government. 3. Explain Rizal’s idea about; a. true religion  Rizal’s idea about true religion is that “religions may vary, but they all lead to the light.” b. Freedom  Rizal’s idea about freedom is that “all people were born free, so nobody has a right to subjugate the will and the spirit of another thoughts”. c. Ignorance  Rizal’s idea about Ignorance is that “Ignorance has ever been ignorance, and never prudence and honor”. d. Religiousness  Rizal’s idea about Religiousness is that ’’religiousness does not consist of long periods spent on your knees, nor in endless prayers, big rosarios, and grimy scapularies [religious garment showing devotion], but in a spotless conduct, firm intention and upright judgment”....