Simoun's selfishness regarding the revolution makes me wonder whether it would eventually creep into his love for Maria Clara.
He literally went through a fraction of the suffering Filipinos have faced for generations, and what does he do about it? He makes it about himself. He sees himself as the grand savior of the Filipinos and decides to formulate a little plan to kickstart a revolution.
He worms his way into being the Kapitan-Heneral's right-hand man and whispers advice into his ear. He makes it worse for the Filipinos; he even has the gall to eventually recommend full-on slavery. He becomes a businessman and capitalizes on everyone’s greed; he blackmails and manipulates people. He does show some remorse, but ignores all that because “the end justifies the means.” Hell, even the fucking Spaniards saw him as a madman.
He manipulates Basilio into joining him, and when he hears of the death of Maria Clara. He selfishly makes it about himself by going on a stupidly annoying suicide mission (he literally had poison on hand; he would’ve killed himself sooner or later).
Yay, great, abandon your revolutionary plans, it’s not like you were good at that anyway, but at least that could’ve contributed to something better in your sad, pathetic life.
If he is that selfish about fighting for the freedom and rights of his countrymen, who says he wouldn’t be that selfish if he actually got to save Maria Clara? He clearly deems her as more important than the revolution.
What if she says she doesn’t love him anymore? Would he listen to her reasons or be self-centered about it and go on a self-destructive plan just because the woman he has thought about saving for 13 years doesn’t hold the same feelings anymore?
But let’s say she does still love him, flaws and all. Who says he wouldn’t be selfish then either? We didn’t see that much meaningful, EQUAL conversation between the lovers in Noli me, but you can chalk that to Rizal’s frustrating misogyny. Still, it’s not like we can completely write off misogyny in Ibarra himself.
Has he ever asked about her opinions? Her ideas? Her interests? (Still can chalk it up to Rizal’s bullshittery, but you can’t deny that it could be Ibarra’s own flaw). It was an arranged marriage; sure, there was love, but maybe there was also obligation on both sides.
They are childhood friends, and their families were close. It could've been seen as an easier option rather than being married to a stranger.
Would he see her as an equal after all the suffering she's been through during the 13 years? He might be able to understand and empathize. But seeing as he literally could not do that for the Filipinos, I really, really end up doubting the fact that he might understand Maria.
He is literally deluded and obsessed with saving her, which definitely stems from misogyny. Because Maria Clara is not a "dove" for him to free from her cage. She is not just an objective he must attain after 13 years of slithering around.
Si Maria clara ay isang tao an may mga pag-iisip at damdamin na hindi niya talagang maintindihan sa pamamagitan lamang ng pagdaydaydream ng mga senaryo sa kanyang utak na parang isang delusyonal na siraulo.
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