1891 is a sequel to Noil. A mysterious stranger named Simoun is bent on hastening the downfall of the colonial regime, employing the double-tactic of abetting the corruption of friars and civil officials through money on the one hand, and on the other, instigate an armed rebellion among the masses. Actually Simoun is Ibarra in disguise. He has come back to rescue Maria Clara from the convent in which she had sought virtual entombment after the rumored death of Ibarra. As a novel, El is even more loosely plotted than Noil but its wealth of political insight makes it an interesting window into Rizal's mind.