The past that Rizal used was not only the past before the Spaniards, but also the past when there was friendship with the Spaniards. These qualities helped him realize that the Philippines could have a better relationship with the Spaniards rather than just being colonizers and colonized, which is one of the possible futures predicted by Rizal.
Sa pananaw ni Rizal, maaring sinabi niya na tamad ang mga Pilipino pero sa tingin ko, hindi sila tamad dahil masasabi kong naimpluwensyahan lang sila at dahil na rin ito sa mga kagagawan ng mga kastila na kung saan pinababa o kumabaga binawasan ang mga sahod ng Pilipino. Dahil dito naudyok silang tamarin sa kaalaman na dinadaya sila ng mga kastila.