To The Filipino Youth

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Point of view:

 Third Person Point of view


Setting:
 1879 in Manila, presented at the University of Santo Tomas, Philippines
Symbolism Used:
Unfold, oh timid flower! 
 implies that the youth is silent, maybe daunted, and consequently has not yet
gone into full bloom for whatever reason there is that may have silenced them.

And with noble thoughts fill their mind;


The honor's glorious seat,
May their virgin mind fly and find
More rapidly than the wind.
 calls to genius to fill young minds with noble thoughts and hopes that as they
show their bravery and embodies intellect, they will attain freedom from
oppression.
The links of the heavy chain
 the Spaniards that suppressed the Filipino intellect.
More sweet than divine honey
 the beauty of poetry and music
Theme:
 Importance of the youth persuasion and their capability to shape the future of our
Motherland

Formalist analysis of the poem:


The poem’s theme, “Grow, O Timid Flower”, simply shows persuasion. To ‘grow’
sounds compelling from Rizal who always wanted to make everyone rise amid the
cruelty that dominates under the leadership of Spain. Using the word ‘timid’, he
described the Filipino youths of his age as cowards who learn nothing but submit
themselves to wills of the Spaniards. Definitely, Rizal wrote the poem out from
disappointment. No matter what, he still sees the hope for every Filipinos. Like a flower
opening from its overnight closure, he expected the youths to grow and shine.
Moreover, the theme of the poem, “To the Filipino Youth” does carry a very strong one;
strong enough to persuade those who are to be persuaded—the Filipino youth
themselves. As to the manner of writing, if I were to base my judgments to the poem, I
can personally describe it as a “real poem”—that is, something that beautifully
incorporated the essential elements of poetry. When I was trying to read it aloud, I felt
like its rhythm sounded excellent and with drama. That thing made me feel more eager
to continue reading it. The meter of the poem then followed a certain rule which I totally
love for it showed the utmost effort of the author. Moreover, the figures of speech such
as personification, alliteration and metaphor were somewhat perfectly laid down, making
the poem more emotional, appealing, deep and colorful. Finally, yet most importantly,
as to the sincerity of the poem, I can really consider “To the Filipino Youth” as indeed a
work from the heart—no pretense and no sort of hidden motives. I can tell it so based
on what I felt when I was reading the poem and the emotions that were expressed on
each of the poem’s line.

The first line, "unfold, oh timid flower," implies that the youth is silent, maybe
daunted, and consequently has not yet gone into full bloom for whatever reason there is
that may have silenced them. In the beginning stanza, Rizal encourages the youth, by
telling them to hold their heads high for they possess talents and skills and abilities that
would make their country proud. While the second verse can be rearranged in
contemporary Contrary to the second verse, which talked about ascending and soaring
to the heights, this third stanza now talks about descent, and a downward motion of the
great genius to fill the earthly strokes of art and science with their magnificent ideas.
While in the fifth and sixth stanzas, Rizal calls the youth to seek the beauty of poetry
and music, which he himself values greatly as essentials in every manner of life. He
claims that poetry is "more sweet than divine honey," and that music can "dissipate
man's sorrow's blight." On other hand, Dr. Jose Rizal is speaking to the youth in seventh
stanza, Rizal says that by the very impulse of their mind, they are capable of bringing to
life even something as lifeless and unmoving as a hard rock. He continues to say that
the youth is able, to immortalize their thoughts and their words through the help of great
genius. Whereas on eighth stanza, Dr. Jose Rizal here addresses the youth, comparing
their abilities to a magic brush that can capture even the most majestic views and the
most glorious charms on a blank canvas. The last stanza is urging the youth to run, for
a glorious crown awaits them. The "sphere" here pertains to the world, showing that
Rizal believed the Filipino youth is as brilliant as those in any other nation, and is able to
contend with even the strongest powers if they only set their mind to making most of
what they already have.

Reader-response approach analysis of the poem:


The poem “To the Filipino Youth” by Dr. Jose Rizal is a message primarily to tell
the importance of one’s love and appreciation to his dialect or language, for it is the
bridge and intermediary connecting people’s country to each other. This poem can be
considered as Rizal’s first testimony and presentation of his nationalism. In this literary
piece, he clearly referred to the Philippines as his motherland, Rizal thought in the poem
relates to the role of the youth with the nation building. Moreover, Dr. Jose Rizal
composed the poem, because he wanted the Filipino youth to use their capabilities,
talents and skills to stand out not only for their own praise and success but also for their
own motherland, the Philippines. Dr. Jose Rizal wanted the Filipino youth to build up
their abilities and use them to help those who are in need. Also, Dr. Jose Rizal
challenged the youth through this poem to refine and nurture their talents in the arts, to
invigorate and reinforce their knowledge of the sciences, and to look forward and
comminute their chain of servitude. According to Dr. Jose Rizal, youth are back bone of
the nation. However, undoubtedly in today’s society, youth are out of control, some
follow the wrong path just for their pleasure, leisure and popularity. What is worse with
the situation is youth that are the most out of control are the individuals living in poverty.
Yet, we, the youth, with regards with facing the problems we have today should be done
by a centered and powerful guidance, providing activities that will make us realize the
real essence of being a youth and must motivate other people; we must teach everyone
the significance of responsibility and the purpose of goal setting. Because if we refuse
to have everything settled, we will soon be supporting an entire generation of homeless
and needlessly families of our nation. Everyone should be aware and exercised their
intelligence, the abilities and the skills.

Further, undoubtedly, just like the other poems of our national hero Dr. Jose
Rizal, the poem “To the Filipino Youth” is a masterpiece worth reading and
comprehending for. If I were to base my judgments, I can personally describe it as a
“real poem” that is, something that beautifully incorporated the essential elements of
poetry.  While I was examining its every line, I was really captured and amazed with the
manner of writing, the message it tries to stress and insist, and of course with the
sincerity and genuineness of the poem. Lastly, based on what I felt when I was reading
the poem and the emotions that were expressed on each of the poem’s line, as to the
sincerity of the poem, I considered “To the Filipino Youth” as indeed a work from the
heart with no pretension, no boastfulness and no haughtiness. Readers can really feel
the eagerness that Dr. Jose Rizal wanted everyone to have consisted.

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