The Lamp Symbol Analysis

The ornate, pomegranate-shaped lamp that Simoun brings as a wedding gift for Juanito Peláez and Paulita Gómez, which secretly contains a bomb, symbolizes the simmering tension of the Philippines’ deeply unequal society, itself also ready to explode at a moment’s notice. Simoun, as the architect of the colonial government’s increasingly harsh oppression, has intended all along to force political contradictions to a boiling point to bring about a violent revolution. The colonial elite, however, are so greedy and power hungry that they are incapable of seeing how their oppression threatens the long-term stability of their rule, just as they are unaware that Simoun’s lavish gifts are in fact a threat on their lives. The violent potential of the eventual uprising of the Filipino people exerts a fearsome, mesmerizing power, as is evident in Basilio’s reaction to the lamp (and Simoun’s plans more broadly). Basilio is simultaneously deeply disturbed and powerfully attracted by the lure of violence, especially once he no longer feels that he has anything left to lose. His behavior in this regard contrasts sharply with that of Isagani, who retains his principled opposition to violence throughout the book. Even Isagani, however, realizes that violent revolution may inevitable, and that if this is the case it is only the colonial authorities who are to blame.