The friars are painted in even harsher colors than in the Noli: they abuse their power to satisfy vile lusts to rob men of their lands to preserve their monopoly of education always seeking their own interests rather than those of the country, or even of Spain. The government is subjective, cruel, completely lacking in a sense of justice or of responsibility, and without interest or trust in the people it governs. By its nature and operation the system without doubt drives all intelligent, generous, hard-working, courageous, and loyal citizens, even those most devoted to Spain, into opposition, crime, and subversion. The message of the novel is clear: the present system of governing the Philippines through corrupt and self-seeking officials, dominated by the friars and being submissive to their interests in one fashion or another, can only lead to disaster for Spain.
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