NOLI ME TANGERE SUMMARY

Capitan Santiago de los Santos, or Capitan Tiago, hosts a dinner in his house at Calle
Anloague. While waiting for the meals to be served, the guests converse with one
another. In these conversations, the readers are introduced to some of the novel’s
characters, such as Padre Damaso, Padre Sibyla, Lieutenant Guevara, Laruja, Doña
Victorina de Espadaña, and Don Tiburcio de Espadaña. Capitan Tiago enters the sala and
introduces Juan Crisostomo Ibarra y Magsalin to the guests. Crisostomo, he informs
them, is the only son of the late Don Rafael Ibarra, and he has recently arrived from his
studies in Europe. Crisostomo is puzzled when Padre Damaso, whom he thought was a
friend of his father, arrogantly denies that he was ever a friend of Don Rafael Ibarra. At
dinner over Tinola , the conversation of the guests centers on Crisostomo’s travels to
several countries. Padre Damaso belittles Ibarra’s trips, saying that what he has learned
from them can be learned even without leaving the country. Embarrassed, Ibarra excuses
himself from the guests and leaves, even after Capitan Tiago informs him that Maria
Clara is coming to dinner.

While walking towards Plaza Binondo, Crisostomo is approached by Lieutenant

Guevara, to whom Ibarra expresses lament that he himself does not know how his father
died. The Lieutenant narrates the event to him, saying that Don Rafael Ibarra was
imprisoned for killing a Spanish tax collector, for not going to confession, and for
subscribing to the newspaper El Correo Ultramar. He also mentions that Don Rafael was
branded as a heretic, a filibuster, and a subversive. Because of these accusations, he dies
while in prison. Ibarra goes to the Fonde de Lala hotel. He is troubled by the visions of
his father being unjustly imprisoned and dying without seeing him. He imagines the
anguish and grief suffered by his father while he is studying and traveling in Europe. In
the house of Capitan Tiago, meanwhile, Maria Clara arrives, and is admired by all
guests, especially Padre Damaso. Capitan Tiago is one of the richest landowners in
Binondo, Pampanga and Laguna. Aside from owning large tracts of lands, he also
provides zacate, monopolizes the opium business, and holds a contract for feeding the
prisoners in the Bilibid prison. Since he has had no child with his wife, Doña Pia, Padre
Damaso advises the Doña to attend the mass at Obando. She eventually conceives a
child, whom they name Maria Clara, in honor of the Virgin of Salambao and Sta. Clara.
Capitan Tiago and the late Don Rafael later agree to arrange the marriage of their
children.

Crisostomo Ibarra visits Maria Clara at Calle Anloague. They speak privately at the
azotea, about the years that they have not seen each other. Ibarra strives to prove his
love for Maria Clara by showing her the old leaves that had been given by the girl seven
years earlier, while they had gone swimming with his mother. Maria Clara, in return,
reads an old letter written by Ibarra before leaving for abroad. Ibarra’s carriage passes
through the busiest district of Manila, and what he sees disturbs him. He observes that
the country’s condition remains unchanged from when he left it seven years ago. He
finds no progress achieved and reforms implemented by the government. He sees that
the roads have not been paved and that the Puente de Barcas has been destroyed by
neglect. Afterwards, seeing the Arroceros Cigar factory, the Botanical Garden, and the
Bagumbayan bring back fond memories. This chapter features the three conversations
between Padre Damaso and Capitan Tiago, between Padre Sibyla and an unmanned
priest, and between the the Governor-General and his men. Angry at not being informed
of the arranged marriage between Crisostomo and Maria Clara, Padre Damaso now
wants to stop the marriage planned for the lovers. Capitan Tiago obeys the priest, and
extinguishes the candles that were lit for Ibarra’s journey to San Diego.
 Padre Sibyla and an unnamed priest discuss the dangerous implication to the country of
Crisostomo Ibarra’s foreign education. The Governor-General reveals to his men that he
is unhappy with the situation in the Philippines but that he is helpless in changing the
conditions of the country. San Diego, a town along the Laguna Lake, produces sugar,
rice, coffee, and fruit, which are sold to Chinese merchants. Aside from its meadows and
paddy fields, the town has a forest with old trees and tropical vegetation that had been
purchased by a Spaniard who was the great grandfather of Juan Crisostomo Ibarra. Two
persons virtually rule the town of San Diego: Padre Bernardo Salvi and the Alferez of the
Guardia Civil, Padre Salvi is described as a thin, sickly, and silent friar and,unlike Padre
Damaso, he is more inclined to impose fines on his subordinates. The Alferez has a wife
named Doña Consolacion. Because of his bad marriage to the doña, he is frequently
drunk and compels his soldiers to drill under the hot sun. Two gravediggers converse in
the San Diego cemetery. One of them mentions that he was ordered by a fat curate to dig
up the body of a person buried in the cemetery, and to rebury it in the Chinese
cemetery. But since it was raining, he just dumped the body into the river. Tasio the
sage arrives at the cemetery, unsuccessfully searching for the skull of his dead wife.
Crisostomo Ibarra and a servant arrive at the San Diego cemetery to look for the grave of
his father, Don Rafael Ibarra. After failing to locate the grave, his servant asks the
gravedigger for help.

The gravedigger replies that he had dug up the body of the don and planned to bury it in
the Chinese cemetery, as instructed by Padre Damaso. Since it was raining, however, he
says, he threw the body into the river. Angered upon hearing the account, Crisostomo
leaves. At the cemetery gate, he meets Padre Salvi and attacks the Curate, whom he
mistakes for Father Damaso. After leaving the cemetery, Tasio the sage wanders about
the street aimlessly. He sees two boys aged ten and seven, and tells them that their
mother has prepared a meal for them to be taken when they get home. Don Filipo invites
Tasio to his house, and a discussion on the existence of purgatory follows. Tasio thinks
that the place called purgatory does not exist since neither the bible nor Jesus Christ
mentions it. Crispin and Basilio are sacristans of the church at San Diego. The two are
worried since the Sacristan Mayor and the Curate has accused Crispin of stealing two
gold pieces and he was to remain in the church until the money is returned. Crispin also
complains about the frequent beating and whipping that he receives. After ringing the
church bells, the Sacristan Mayor beats Crispin to make him confess his crime.

Sisa waits for her two sons, Crispin and Basilio. Knowing that they are hungry, she
prepares a meal consisting of duck leg, wild boar’s meat, tomatoes and five pieces of
fish. Her husband arrives, and eats all the food, leaving only three pieces of fish. She
patiently waits for Crispin and Basilio and is surprised when, during the night, only
Basilio arrives. Basilio arrives home, wounded from a gunshot fired at him by the
Guardia Civil. Basilio tells his mother that Crispin has stayed behind in the convent
because the curate accused him of stealing two gold pieces. In his dream, Basilio sees
Crispin being beaten up and killed by the Curate and the Sacristan Mayor.In the convent,
some women converse about purgatory and the number of plenary indulgences that they
have acquired. Sisa arrives, bringing with her vegetables to appease the Curate into
forgiving her son Crispin. A sacristan tells her that Crispin is not in the church, and that
the Guardia Civil are now searching for her two sons, after the Curate reported them to
the authorities for stealing. Ibarra converses with a schoolmaster who was helped by his
father. The schoolmaster narrates the obstacles that he encountered in teaching the
children. He informs Ibarra that the town lacks facilities such as a school building and
necessary equipment. His work is also hindered by the stubbornness of the former town
Curate, Padre Damaso.
The town officials meet in the town hall to discuss the fiesta celebration. The council
approves the proposal of Don Filipo, but the Gobernadorcillo tells them that the curate’s
alternate proposal must be followed instead. Although the council objects to the
Curate’s proposal, they are powerless to stop implementation of the plan. Don Filipo
and Tasio the sage go home dejected. Sisa arrives at her house and finds the Guardia
Civil looking for her sons. After vainly searching for Crispin and Basilio, the Guardia
Civil decide to arrest Sisa in order to compel her sons to surrender and return the money
they have stolen. Due to the anguish and public humiliation Sisa suffers. Maria Clara
converses with Ibarra near a window overlooking the lake. Ibarra invites Maria Clara,
her friends, and Padre Salvi to a picnic in the woods. Maria Clara is delighted, and Padre
Salvi accepts the invitation to prove that he has no ill feelings towards Ibarra. Ibarra and
Maria Clara, together with their friends go fishing at the lake. To entertain them,
Andeng plays the harp, while Maria Clara sings a sad love song. In one of the fish
cages, the men discover that the fishing nets have entangled a crocodile. Elias, followed
by Ibarra, jumps into the lake, successfully killing the crocodile.

Padre Salvi passes near a stream, while going to the picnic organized by Ibarra. He hears
some voices, hides behind a tree, and spies on Maria Clara and her friends while they
bathe. After the Alferez leaves the picnic, the guardia civil arrives at the picnic, looking
for Elias, the boatman who had throw an alferez into the mudhole and assaulting Padre
Damaso. Ibarra consults Tasio the sage about the school building that he plans to
build. The sage advises Ibarra not to pursue his project, else he incur the ire of the friars
and other government officials, who would do everything in their power to ruin him. It is
the eve of the fiesta, and people are busy preparing food, while Ñor Juan supervises the
workmen laying the cornerstone and building the foundation of the proposed school
building. Some individuals volunteer to contribute toward the construction of the school,
some promise to pay the teacher, while others offer their services for free. Ibarra
remains optimistic that his endeavor will succeed, while Tasio advises him to be
cautious.

Maria Clara and Ibarra, together with their friends, go for a walk. They meet a leper. In
an act of compassion, Maria Clara gives her locket to the sick man. This chapter features
the three letters between a correspondent and his friend, between Capitan Martin and
Luis Chiquito, and between Ibarra and Maria Clara. The correspondent vividly describes
to his friend the fiesta and the many events that have taken place in San Diego. Capitan
Martin narrates to Luis Chiquito the good fortune of Capitan Tiago in winning a game of
cards. Maria Clara reveals that she is worried that Ibarra is sick, and sends Andeng to
make some tea for her sweetheart.

A procession is held during the last day of the fiesta, where the people parade the images
of San Diego de Alcala, St. Francis, and the Virgin. The people in the procession are
greeted by the sound of firecrackers, songs, and religious prayers. The noisy and
disorderly parishioners try to push one another while dipping their hands in the holy
water. The people are waiting for the sermon of Padre Damaso, when they notice that
the Alcalde’s uniform looks similar to the costume worn by one of the actors in a play. In
his sermon, Padre Damaso reprimands some natives who, after receiving education in
Manila and in Europe, are now contented in not kissing the hands of a friar and not
offering him the honor due his rank. Padre Damaso declares that these individuals
would get what they deserve and that God would punish them for their wicked acts. At
the end of the sermon, Elias approaches Ibarra, and warns him that his life is in danger.
Ibarra, the Alcalde, and other individuals, go to the site of the proposed school to lay the
cornerstone of the building. The Alcalde throws some mortar on the stone, followed by
the curate and Alferez. When it is Ibarra’s turn, the derrick suddenly falls apart,
dropping the heavy block of stone. Fortunately Ibarra is unhurt, the only casualty being
the yellowish man who operates the machine.

Elias visits Ibarra at his house and informs him that many enemies are out to ruin him, as
confirmed by the incident with the derrick. Because of Ibarra’s education and beliefs,
Elias says, many people would want him dead. Elias affirms that he is only paying his
debt, since Ibarra saved him from being killed by the crocodile. At dinner, Padre Damaso
belittles Ibarra for building a school. Ibarra remains silent, but when Padre Damaso
insults his father’s honor, Ibarra lunges at the curate with a knife in hand, threatening to
kill him. Fortunately Maria Clara intervenes. The town discusses the incident between
Padre Damaso and Ibarra. The town captain criticizes Ibarra for his lack of self-control,
while others opine that Ibarra will be branded as a filibuster and will be excommunicated
by the Church. Don Filipo and Capitana Maria, however, both agree that Ibarra did the
right thing in protecting his father’s honor and memory.

Arriving from the convent, Capitan Tiago tells Maria Clara and Tia Isabel that he has
agreed to break his daughter’s wedding engagement to Ibarra. Capitan Tiago adds that
Maria Clara must forget Ibarra, since she would now marry a relative of Padre Damaso.
The Governor-General converses with Ibarra about the dinner incident. He assures
Ibarra that he will be protected by the government from the evil intentions of the friars
and religious corporations. The Governor-General promises that he would talk to the
archbishop regarding Ibarra’s excommunication, while advising Capitan Tiago not to
break his daughter’s engagement to Ibarra. Another procession is held, where the town
displays the images of St. John, St. Francis, San Diego, and the Virgin. Tasio sees the
ragged and poor clothing of the saints and sarcastically remarks that the saints would be
ashamed if they would see the lifestyle of their fellow servants of God. Doña
Consolacion, the Alferez’s wife, calls Sisa to sing, but proceeds to maltreat her by
whipping her when she refuses to dance. The Alferez arrives, stops the whipping and
calls his servant to feed and clothe the insane woman,who is to be treated by a doctor
hired by Ibarra.

Maria Clara, her friends, Don Filipo, and Padre Salvi are watching a play when Ibarra
arrives to joins them. Padre Salvi orders Don Filipo to prohibit Ibarra from watching the
play, since he has been excommunicated, and his presence would corrupt the
people. Padre Salvi walks out when Don Filipo refuses to prevent Ibarra from watching
the play. Elias informs him that Maria Clara is sick with fever. A man named Lucas then
arrives, asking for money for his brother who was killed in the derrick. Ibarra tells him
to come back that afternoon since he is meeting with a sick person. Don Tiburcio de
Espadaña and his wife Victorina, together with Linares, a distant relative of Padre
Damaso, arrive at the house of Capitan Tiago to treat Maria Clara. Doña Victorina
speaks highly of Linares, telling Capitan Tiago that he has come to the Philippines to
seek work and to find a wife. The fake doctor Espadaña prescribes some medicines for
Maria Clara, as they wait for Padre Damaso to arrive.

Linares introduces himself to Padre Damaso as the godson of his brother-in-law. Linares
says that he graduated with a law degree from a university and that he has come to the
Philippines to find work and to look for a wife. Upon hearing this, Padre Damaso calls
Capitan Tiago. Lucas, meanwhile, approaches Padre Salvi to ask for help, being the
brother of the yellowish man killed when the derrick collapsed. Padre Salvi mentions
that Padre Damaso will be transferred to a town in Tayabas. Since Maria Clara is still
sick, the Curate suggests that Maria Clara makes her confession. Tia Isabel agrees with
the Curate, and prepares Maria Clara for her confession. After hearing Maria Clara’s
confession, Padre Salvi exits the room looking gloomy, with his forehead covered with
perspiration. Elias goes to Tanauan, Batangas, to converse with Capitan Pablo, the leader
of some bandits. Elias asks Capitan Pablo to stop committing violent acts against the
government, since they can get the help of Ibarra in obtaining justice and implementing
some reforms for the country. At the cockpit arena, Lucas approaches Bruno and Tarsilo,
recruiting them to attack the town barracks. Lucas declares that aside from joining the
attack organized by Ibarra against the barracks, they can exact their revenge on the
members of the guardia civil who killed their father.

Doña Victorina and Don Tiburcio pass by the house of the Alferez, as Doña Consolacion
mocks and ridicules Doña Espadaña and her crippled husband. The two women start
exchanging insults and almost get into a fight that is averted by the arrival of the Alferez
and Padre Salvi. To defend her honor, Doña Victorina asks Linares to challenge the
Alferez to a duel. Ibarra wishes to inform Maria Clara that his excommunication is lifted,
but upon arriving at her house, he sees Maria Clara with Linares. He is invited to come
into the house, but he visits instead the site of the school building, asking the supervisor,
Ñor Juan about its progress. Elias meets Ibarra at the lakeside. He narrates the
conversation he has had with Capitan Pablo. Elias says that, Ibarra, because of his
education and position in society, can ask the Spanish government to implement radical
reforms such as fewer privileges for religious corporations, security for a citizen and
more respect for a man’s dignity. Ibarra objects, saying that such institutions as the
priesthood, religious corporations, and the Guardia Civil, are necessary evils that must be
tolerated by the society. Elias narrates his story and the misfortunes of his ancestors. His
great grandfather, he recounts, woks as a bookkeeper for a Spaniard, when he is accused
of arson, and is flogged and paraded in the streets of Manila. Shamed and disgraced, his
wife becomes a prostitute, while one of the sons becomes a notorious bandit. The other
son travels from town to town until he is hired as a laborer, and marries a rich
woman. Elias and his sister are born of this marriage, and both are educated in Manila.

But when their family’s past surfaces, they lose everything. Elias’s sister commits
suicide, while he roams the provinces as a hunted and lonely man. Padre Salvi informs
Linares, Maria Clara, and Capitan Tiago that Ibarra’s excommunication has been lifted,
and the last obstacle to be hurdled is for Ibarra to ask for forgiveness from Padre
Damaso. Ibarra asks Sinang if Maria Clara is angry with him and insists that he wants to
speak to Maria Clara. Three men are in the cemetery waiting for Lucas. They discuss
their impending attack on the barracks and the church, which they believe is organized
by Ibarra. Lucas arrives and instructs them to attack the church and the barracks,
shouting Viva Don Crisostomo. Elias, after following Lucas, learns about the attack that
will implicate Ibarra. Don Filipo visits Tasio the sage, who’s ill. He tells Tasio that he
has resigned from his position because he is fed up with the Gobernadorcillo’s
ineptitude. Tasio praises the don’s action, saying that resistance must be used not only
against the Gobernadorcillo but against all persons who abuse their authority.

Padre Salvi warns the Alferez about an impending attack on the town. He informs the
Alferez to ready his men and to send four soldiers to guard the church. Elias alerts Ibarra
on the imminent attack on the town that will be blamed on him. He helps Ibarra dispose
of some letters that could implicate him. In one of these letters, Elias discovers that
Ibarra’s great grandfather was the Spaniard who had accused his great grandfather of
arson. Ibarra enters Capitan Tiago’s house, as soon as he hears shots fired near the
convent. Ibarra returns to his house, and is arrested by the Guardia Civil. Seeing what
has happened, Elias enters Ibarra’s house, and intentionally sets a fire to destroy any
evidence that could implicate Ibarrra in the failed attack. Rumors circulate in the terrified
town, after the eventful night. Some people assume that Don Filipo and Crisostomo
Ibarra have been arrested by the Guardia Civil, while others think that some bandits were
caught in the night. The Guardia Civil imprison the individuals implicated in the failed
attack. They torture Tarsilo to obtain a confession from him and to make him disclose
the mastermind of the failed attack. But Tarsilo remains silent up to his death.

The crying relatives of those arrested wait outside the barracks of the Guardia
Civil. Ibarra, together with the other prisoners, are led out of their cells to be transported
to the provincial capital. Along the way, Ibarra is cursed, stoned, and ridiculed by the
people, blaming him for their misfortunes and hardships.
The people of Manila discuss the failed rebellion falsely blamed on Ibarra. The friars
praise Padre Salvi for alerting the authorities about the rebellion, while others criticize
the Jesuits, who declare that Ibarra had been educated at the Ateneo. Capitan Tiago
invites guests and visitors to celebrate the impending marriage of Maria Calara and
Linares. Maria Clara goes to the azotea, where she sees Crisostomo leaping out from a
boat. She asks Crisostomo for forgiveness since she is about to be married to someone
else, but declares that she would never forget her vow of faithfulness to him. Two
boatloads of Guardia Civil pursue Elias and Ibarra on the lake. Elias jumps into the river
to mislead the pursuers, thus saving Ibarra. Maria is distraught when she learns that
Ibarra has been killed, while trying to escape. Out of desperation, Maria Clara asks Padre
Damaso to break her marriage engagement and to permit her to enter the nunnery.

After vainly arguing with Maria Clara, Padre Damaso gives his permission. Basilio
returns to San Diego to look for his insane mother. Upon seeing her in the town, he runs
after her until they enter the forest owned by the Ibarras. Sisa dies, after eventually
recognizing her son. When Basilio regains consciousness, Elias orders him to cremate
his him and his mother.

Padre Damaso is reassigned as parish priest to a distant province but is found dead the
day after. Maria Clara enters the Sta. Clara nunnery, where Padre Salvi regularly
preaches and holds an important office. Capitan Tiago stops going to church, and is now
addicted to opium and gambling. The Alferez who has been promoted as a 2nd
lieutenant, goes back to Spain, leaving his wife, Doña Consolacion, behind. Doña
Victorina still tries to live the life of a Spanish woman, while her cousin Linares dies of
dysentery. Two Spanish guards see an insane nun standing at the top of the Sta. Clara
convent during a raging storm. When the authorities try to investigate the nun’s case, the
abbess prohibits the inquiry, invoking the name of Religion and the Holy Statutes. Two
Spanish guards saw an insane nun standing at the top of the Sta. Clara convent during a
raging storm. When the authorities tried to investigate, the abbess prohibited the inquiry
invoking the name of Religion and the Holy Statutes.