1. A novel that tackles social-political issues, particularly Philippine revolution and neocolonialism 2. This novel sparked the social awakening of Filipinos during the Spanish colonial era. As Rizal cannot fathom the unfairness of the Spanish priests and the ruling government at the time, his purpose of writing the book was to expose the ills of Philippine society at the time. 3. It examines the effects and influence of the past towards the post-war events in the Philippines 4. It is the story of Eustaqio "Istak” Samson who abandoned his family to join the rebel forces and escape the cruelty of Spanish authorities. 5. It paved the way for the development of a system on how Tagalog novels were written.​