The Adaptaion Theory

"Theory of Adaptation"

The weather just these past few days has swung from hot to cold and back to hot again. Like a psychic information operator, the changing weather subconsciously helps influence or dictates the kinds of clothes we wear whether we like it or not. It's in man's very nature to adapt to the diversity we experience around us whether it is the weather, technology, trends in fashion, politics, religion, language and what have you.

My observations of Jose Rizal from reading his different letters are somewhat relatable to this "adaptation theory" I had introduced above. His letters were classified and segregated into 4 types: letters to his family, letters to Blumentritt, letters to the reformists, and miscellaneous letters. From reading a letter from each category, I have come to realize that Rizal had a multi-faceted writing style that made the each category distinct from the other. Are we supposed to find this odd? I don't think so. See, he too was human, just like we are. We are all actors who adapt to the changing scenes.

I read Rizal's letter to his mom dated August 8, 1896. He was aboard the Castilla on his way to Manila where he had to stay under military watch in the boat for a month before being transported to Spain. He tells his mom of the magnificent boat and says the most pleasant things about the Commander, Colonel Santalo. He expressed how much he wished his family were there with him as this would make him happy that he had requested to be with his parents before they leave.

I also read his letter to Marcelo H. del Pilar dated August 12, 1891. In this letter, Rizal tries to explain himself to del Pilar on why he stopped writing for La Solidaridad. He gave three reasons which were: 1. he needed much time to work on his book, 2. he wanted to leave because he wanted the others (Filipinos) to work also, 3. He valued keeping the unity of the group more Ð'- that because he had his own idea, he'd rather not meddle with the group understanding. He emphasizes this strategy's benefit to both himself and the group. Rizal tells del Pilar that he is to be assured that Rizal's works will still be in-line with what the group is fighting for- that is he fights for the nation.

The third letter was his letter to his dear friend Ferdinand Blumentritt dated August 16, 1886. This was his second letter to him and was thus still very much formal. In this letter, Rizal expresses his disappointment in the existing "historical" writings of Spaniards about their experiences in the Philippines which Rizal felt was unreliable. Thus, he was volunteering himself to aid Blumentritt in his concerns regarding the language in the Philippines. He thought it best that a Filipino would know better about its language than the Friars.

The fourth and final letter was a letter to Mariano Rincon in August 11, 1885. Rizal writes him in his desire to hear about his experiences in the Philippines back when he was there. He tells Rincon that he was deeply interested to find out how his experiences were as these usually reminded him of many things he felt when he himself was in the Philippines. He ends by offering Rincon lodging and company if ever he drops by in Madrid.

In reading these four letters, I have come to realize that Rizal's writing style changes depending on whom he is writing to. The contexts of the ideas spoken of in the letters were also very different and dependent on the receiver. In his letter to his mother, and as with his letter to his sister Trinidad(dated Aug 27, 1895), he focused on talking about only the pleasant things around him and made it appear as if there was little to worry about. His choice of words especially regarding the "magnificent" boat and amiable Colonel made it appear to me as if he was trying to make everything sound delightful so that to ease his parents' worrying