Unfold, oh timid flower!
Lift up your radiant brow, This day, Youth of my native strand! Your abounding talents show Resplendently and grand, Fair hope of my Motherland!
Soar high, oh genius great, And with noble thoughts fill their mind; The honor's glorious seat, May their virgin mind fly and find More rapidly than the wind.
Descend with the pleasing light Of the arts and sciences to the plain, Oh Youth, and break forthright The links of the heavy chain That your poetic genius enchain.
See that in the ardent zone, The Spaniard, where shadows stand, Doth offer a shining crown, With wise and merciful hand To the son of this Indian land.
You, who heavenward rise On wings of your rich fantasy, Seek in the Olympian skies The tenderest poesy, More sweet than divine honey;
You of heavenly harmony, On a calm unperturbed night, Philomel's match in melody, That in varied symphony Dissipate man's sorrow's blight;
You at th' impulse of your mind The hard rock animate And your mind with great pow'r consigned Transformed into immortal state The pure mem'ry of genius great;
And you, who with magic brush On canvas plain capture The varied charm of Phoebus, Loved by the divine Apelles, And the mantle of Nature;
Run! For genius' sacred flame Awaits the artist's crowning Spreading far and wide the fame Throughout the sphere proclaiming With trumpet the mortal's name Oh, joyful, joyful day, The Almighty blessed be Who, with loving eagerness Sends you luck and happiness.
1. What is the main message of the poem?
2. How does Rizal highlight the role of the youth in shaping the future of the Philippines?
3. What virtues or characteristics do Rizal encourage the youth to embody?
4. How does the poem reflect Rizal's vision for the youth during the Spanish colonial period?
5. Why do you think Rizal chose to address the Filipino youth specifically?
6. What parallels can you draw between Rizal's message in the poem and the role of the youth in modern society?
7. In what ways can Rizal's call to action in this poem still be applied today?
Answer (2)
Rizal's 1879 poem "To the Filipino Youth" calls on young Filipinos to have confidence and see themselves as the hope of the nation. It asks them to pursue knowledge through science and the arts to free themselves from ignorance.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.Jose Rizal once said, “Youth is the hope of the motherland.” He envisioned a future where empowered, educated young Filipinos would lead the nation to progress.This song of youth shows how strong faith Dr. kalam had on youth of the country . He believed that it is the youth which have power to change future of country. kalam as a poet explains us what should be the youth's ideals and goals.
Hope this help! Keep up the good work.
