El Filibusterismo Chapter 4 Summary, Characters, Lessons, etc.

In this article, we will discuss a brief summary of El Filibusterismo Chapter 4 – Cabesang Tales. Additionally, we will examine the key events, characters, setting, and the lessons, messages, or implications that can be taken from this chapter.

Summary of El Filibusterismo Chapter 4 – Cabesang Tales

Tandang Selo was an old man who once helped Basilio when he was still a child. His son, Cabesang Tales, became a Barangay Captain and had three children: Lucia, Tano, and Juli. Lucia and Cabesang Tales’ wife died due to malaria, leaving only Tano and Juli with him.

Through hard work and perseverance, Cabesang Tales’ family prospered. He partnered with investors in farming and started a sugarcane plantation on a piece of forest land. When he discovered that the land had no owner, he continued his business. He also planned to send Juli to college so she could keep up with Basilio, her suitor.

However, when the farm flourished, the friars claimed ownership of the land and began taxing Cabesang Tales. The friars kept raising the taxes until it became unaffordable. Tales fought back by filing a case against the friars, asserting his rights in court. Yet, he lost the case due to the friars’ influence over the government.

When Cabesang Tales could no longer pay the taxes, he resorted to guarding his land. Armed with a gun, bolo, and eventually, an axe (confiscated by the friars), he stood his ground. In the end, he was abducted by bandits because they believed he had money after hiring a lawyer for his case. The bandits demanded a ransom of 500 pesos.

To pay the ransom, Juli sold her jewelry except for the gift from her boyfriend. When the money fell short, she worked as a maid in the house of Hermana Penchang. This prevented her from continuing her education.

Important Events in El Filibusterismo Chapter 4

Tandang Selo once helped Basilio as a child and later, his son Cabesang Tales became a Barangay Captain with three children: Lucia, Tano, and Juli, though Lucia and their mother died of malaria.
Cabesang Tales worked hard to prosper, starting a sugarcane plantation on unused forest land and planning to send his daughter Juli to college to keep up with her suitor, Basilio.
The friars claimed ownership of the flourishing plantation and raised taxes to unaffordable levels, leading Cabesang Tales to fight a legal battle, which he lost due to the friars’ government influence.
Cabesang Tales guarded his land with weapons but was abducted by bandits demanding a ransom of 500 pesos, believing he had money after hiring a lawyer.
Juli sold her jewelry and worked as a maid for Hermana Penchang to pay the ransom, sacrificing her education in the process.

Characters in El Filibusterismo Chapter 4

These are the characters mentioned in the fourth chapter of El Filibusterismo:

Cabesang Tales

The son of Tandang Selo who became a Barangay Captain and owner of the land taken by the friars.

Tandang Selo

The elderly father of Cabesang Tales who helped Basilio during his childhood.

Lucia

A daughter of Cabesang Tales who died of malaria.

Tano

Another child of Cabesang Tales who survived the tragedy.

Juli

The daughter of Cabesang Tales who worked as a maid to pay for her father’s ransom.

Basilio

Basilio was Juli’s suitor and later became her boyfriend.

The Friars

The religious figures who claimed Cabesang Tales’ land and increased taxes.

The Bandits

The group that kidnapped Cabesang Tales, believing he had money.

Hermana Penchang

The woman who hired Juli as a maid in her household.

Setting in El Filibusterismo Chapter 4

The chapter’s setting is in the countryside, where Cabesang Tales’ farmland is located. Some scenes also take place in the house of Hermana Penchang, where Juli worked as a maid.

Lessons in El Filibusterismo Chapter 4

The greed and abuse of power by the friars cause immense suffering for ordinary people like Cabesang Tales, who demonstrates determination and bravery in fighting for his rights.
The story reveals that the justice system is easily influenced by the wealthy and powerful, such as the friars, making it difficult for common people to claim their rights.
The sacrifice of a family member, as seen in Juli’s actions, showcases deep love and the desire to overcome challenges, even at the cost of personal dreams and education.
The chapter highlights the injustices and extreme poverty endured by Filipinos under foreign rule, which fuel anger and rebellion.
Family unity and support are crucial in facing life’s challenges. However, the narrative also emphasizes that hard work and perseverance may not always suffice when oppressive powers prevent one’s success.

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