Political and Social Oppression:
* Tyranny and Corruption of Spanish Officials: Rizal exposes the brutality, greed, and incompetence of Spanish officials who exploited Filipinos for personal gain.
* Lack of Representation and Filipino Voice: Filipinos had no real political power or influence in the government, leaving them voiceless and vulnerable to injustice.
* Friar Power and Abuse: The Catholic friars held enormous power and used it for personal enrichment, abusing their religious authority and suppressing dissent. They were portrayed as hypocrites who used religion as a tool for control and personal gain.
* Social Inequality: The novel highlights the vast chasm between the wealthy elite (often collaborating with the Spanish) and the impoverished majority. Filipinos were subjected to discriminatory laws and treatment.
* Ignorance and Superstition: Rizal criticizes the prevalence of blind faith and superstition, which prevented Filipinos from questioning authority and achieving progress.
Cultural and Moral Issues:
* Loss of Filipino Identity: Rizal highlights the erosion of Filipino culture and traditions under Spanish rule. Filipinos were discouraged from celebrating their heritage and forced to adopt Spanish ways.
* Hypocrisy and Double Standards: The novel shows how the Spanish applied different rules and standards to Filipinos compared to themselves, creating a system of unequal justice and social hierarchy.
* Lack of Education and Opportunity: The Spanish government actively restricted access to education for Filipinos, limiting their potential for advancement and perpetuating ignorance.
* Domestic Violence and Abuse: Rizal portrays the harsh realities of domestic abuse, particularly against women, which were often condoned by society.
Themes of Revolution and Hope:
* The Need for Change: Rizal's novels ultimately call for change and the overthrow of the oppressive Spanish regime. He emphasizes the importance of education, unity, and social awareness to achieve progress.
* Hope for the Future: While Rizal depicts a bleak and unjust reality, he also expresses hope for a better future where Filipinos can live in freedom and equality.
It's important to note that Rizal's novels are not just critiques of Spanish colonialism. They also address the internal problems within Philippine society, including the lack of unity, the influence of superstition, and the need for self-reflection.
Rizal's work became a powerful tool for social change, sparking the Philippine Revolution and inspiring generations of Filipinos to fight for their rights and freedom.