# Class and Racial Inequality in El Filibusterismo

> Theme guide for El Filibusterismo by José Rizal.

The novel contrasts the wealthy upper deck passengers with the suffering lower deck, and highlights the discrimination against Filipinos (Indios) by Spanish authorities and mestizo elites.

## Where it surfaces

- [I: On the Upper Deck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/v-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/vi-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!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xvi-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xxi-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xxii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xxix-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xxxii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-wedding): Don Timoteo's obsession with European decor and avoidance of Filipino artists highlights the colonial mentality and class divisions.
- [The Fiesta](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xxxv-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xxxviii-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.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/themes/class_and_racial_inequality
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/themes