The Reign of Greed

"The Reign of Greed" by José Rizal is a book that paints a grim picture of the Philippines near the end of Spanish rule, acting as a follow-up to "Noli Me Tangere." The story examines the social and political problems of the time. It tells the story of characters like Juan Crisostomo Ibarra, and shows his troubles with friars and leaders as he tries to make life better for his community. The book starts by setting the scene of the Philippines under Spanish rule. The story describes the way the nation seemed to be going nowhere. It also highlights the differing lives of those at the top, like Spanish officials and rich Filipinos, versus the struggling majority. Characters like Ibarra, his love Maria Clara, and the evil friars are introduced, and the story shows Ibarra's fight for change and his rising conflict with the church, leading to sad events that show just how unfair colonial life was. The combination of hope and sadness reflects Rizal's strong criticism of the injustices faced by Filipinos.