Class and Racial Inequality

Where it surfaces

• I: On the Upper Deck

  The upper deck hosts Europeans and officials while the lower deck is crowded with Indians, Chinese, and mestizos, highlighting racial and class divisions.

• IV: Cabesang Tales

  The contrast between the wealthy, powerful friars and the poor, ignorant Indian farmer underscores the deep class and racial divides in colonial society.

• A Cochero's Christmas Eve

  The cochero's envy of the Magian Kings (two Spanish, one black) and the curate's forced gifts highlight racial and class hierarchies.

• Basilio

  Basilio's poor appearance and Indian heritage lead to discrimination by professors and classmates, reflecting the class and racial hierarchies of colonial society.

• VIII: Merry Christmas!

  Julî's decision to enter servitude highlights the economic pressures faced by poor Filipino families, while the wealthy enjoy the Christmas festivities.

• IX: Pilates

  Cabesang Tales, a native farmer, loses his land and family to the powerful friar-administrator and colonial authorities, illustrating systemic inequality.

• X: Wealth and Want

  Simoun's jewels symbolize the vast wealth disparity, as the poor like Tales are contrasted with the rich who can afford such luxuries.

• The Tribulations of a Chinese

  The Chinese are treated as second-class citizens, as seen in the discussion about the Chinese paying for church pews while natives and mestizos are humiliated.

• Manila Types

  The contrast between the wealthy attendees and the poor observers like Camaroncocido and Tio Quico underscores class divisions, while Tadeo's mockery of the novice's aspirations reflects racial hierarchies.

• The Performance

  The students' struggle for an Academy of Castilian and the elite's preoccupation with social status and appearances highlight class divisions.

• Exit Capitan Tiago

  Capitan Tiago's wealth ensures a lavish funeral and salvation, while the poor are marginalized; the legacy for poor students is a token gesture.

• Effect of the Pasquinades

  Paulita's choice of Juanito over Isagani reflects class and racial biases, favoring a Spanish mestizo over a provincial native.

• The Wedding

  Don Timoteo's obsession with European decor and avoidance of Filipino artists highlights the colonial mentality and class divisions.

• The Fiesta

  The stark contrast between the wealthy guests and Basilio's ragged clothing, which prevents him from entering the house, highlights class and racial divisions.

• Fatality

  The prisoners are treated as subhuman by the guards, who are themselves Filipinos, highlighting the internal divisions and the dehumanization of the poor under colonial rule.