Rizal Without The Overcoat: How Ambeth Ocampo Unveils The Real Rizal

Ambeth Ocampo Rizal Without The Overcoat Pdf 13: A Review

If you are interested in learning more about Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines, you might want to read Ambeth Ocampo's book Rizal Without The Overcoat. This book is a collection of essays that presents Rizal from a different perspective, one that is more human and relatable. In this article, I will review the book and discuss its main themes, style, structure, reception, and impact. I will also provide some suggestions for further reading if you want to explore more about Rizal and his life.

Ambeth Ocampo Rizal Without The Overcoat Pdf 13

What is the book about?

Rizal Without The Overcoat is a book by Ambeth Ocampo, a public historian and professor at the Ateneo de Manila University. The book was first published in 1990 and has since been revised and expanded several times. The latest edition, published in 2000, contains 13 essays that cover various aspects of Rizal's life, works, and legacy. The book's title refers to Ocampo's attempt to remove the "overcoat" of myths, legends, and stereotypes that have surrounded Rizal over the years and reveal his true personality and character.

Who is Ambeth Ocampo?

Ambeth Ocampo is one of the most respected and popular historians in the Philippines. He is known for his extensive research on the late nineteenth-century Philippines, especially on the heroes who figure in the birth of the nation. He writes a widely read column for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and moderates a growing Facebook fan page. He is also a professor and former chairperson of the Department of History at the Ateneo de Manila University. He has written several books on Philippine history, such as Looking Back, Bones of Contention, Mabini's Ghost, and Meaning and History.

Why is the book important?

The book is important because it offers a fresh and insightful look at Rizal, who is often regarded as a saintly and flawless figure by many Filipinos. Ocampo shows that Rizal was not only a genius and a patriot, but also a human being with flaws, weaknesses, passions, and quirks. He also shows that Rizal was not only a martyr and a hero, but also a writer and an artist who expressed his ideas and emotions through his novels, poems, essays, letters, sketches, sculptures, and paintings. By presenting Rizal without the overcoat, Ocampo hopes to encourage people to see him from another angle and appreciate him more as a person.

The Main Themes of the Book

Rizal as a human being

One of the main themes of the book is Rizal as a human being. Ocampo reveals many details and anecdotes about Rizal's personal life that are often overlooked or ignored by other biographers. For example, he tells us that Rizal was a good cook, a bad speller, a prankster, a gambler, a chess player, a smoker, a drinker, a lover, and a traveler. He also tells us that Rizal had a sense of humor, a temper, a fear of lightning, a fondness for animals, and a weakness for women. He also tells us that Rizal had many friends and enemies, admirers and critics, mentors and rivals, allies and foes. He also tells us that Rizal had dreams and nightmares, hopes and regrets, joys and sorrows.

Rizal as a writer

Another main theme of the book is Rizal as a writer. Ocampo analyzes Rizal's literary works and shows how they reflect his thoughts and feelings about the Philippines and the world. He also shows how they influenced and inspired other writers and movements in Philippine history. For example, he discusses Rizal's novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, which exposed the abuses and injustices of the Spanish colonial regime and sparked the Philippine Revolution. He also discusses Rizal's poems such as Mi Ultimo Adios, which expressed his love for his country and his willingness to die for it. He also discusses Rizal's essays such as The Indolence of the Filipinos, which criticized the colonial policies and attitudes that hindered the progress and development of the Filipinos.

Rizal as a hero

The third main theme of the book is Rizal as a hero. Ocampo examines Rizal's role and contribution to the Philippine nation and how he became a symbol of nationalism and patriotism. He also examines the controversies and debates that have surrounded Rizal's heroism and how he has been interpreted and appropriated by different groups and ideologies over time. For example, he explains why Rizal was chosen as the national hero by the Americans over other candidates such as Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Aguinaldo. He also explains why Rizal was declared a retractionist by some historians who claimed that he renounced his writings and beliefs before his execution. He also explains why Rizal was considered a subversive by some authorities who banned or censored his works.

The Style and Structure of the Book

Ocampo's use of primary sources

One of the features of Ocampo's style and structure is his use of primary sources. Ocampo bases his essays on original documents such as letters, diaries, memoirs, newspapers, magazines, books, photographs, paintings, sculptures, and artifacts that he has collected or consulted from various archives and libraries around the world. He quotes extensively from these sources to support his arguments and to give voice to Rizal and his contemporaries. He also provides references and footnotes for further reading and verification.

Ocampo's use of anecdotes and humor

Another feature of Ocampo's style and structure is his use of anecdotes and humor. Ocampo narrates his essays in a lively and engaging manner that captures the attention and interest of the reader. He uses anecdotes to illustrate his points and to add color and flavor to his stories. He also uses humor to lighten the mood and to make his essays more enjoyable and accessible. He often jokes about himself, his sources, his subjects, and his readers.

Ocampo's use of language and tone

The third feature of Ocampo's style and structure is his use of language and tone. Ocampo writes in English but he also incorporates Filipino words and phrases to convey the nuances and contexts of his topics. He also uses simple but elegant words that are easy to understand but not boring or dull. He also uses an informal but respectful tone that is friendly but not patronizing. He addresses his readers directly as if he is having a conversation with them.

The Reception and Impact of the Book

The popularity and controversy of the book

Rizal Without The Overcoat has been one of the most popular and controversial books on Philippine history ever since it was published. It has sold thousands of copies and has been reprinted several times. It has also won several awards such as the National Book Award for History in 1990, 1996, 2000, 2008; the Manila Critics Circle Award for History in 1990; the Catholic Mass Media Award for Best Book in History in 1991; the Gawad Balagtas Award for Outstanding Achievement in History in 1997; the Gawad Tang 71b2f0854b