Joy Estela S.

Mangaya

NOLI ME TANGERE’S
REACTION PAPER

Noli Me Tangere is the novel written by Dr. Jose Rizal in 1887. The story detailed
with the society of Philippines during the Spanish colonial period and abuses of the
colonialist. It reflected Rizal’s conviction about education as proper way of liberating the
Filipino from the Spanish occupation. “Touch Me Not”, “Huwag mo akong Salingin” or
“Noli Me Tangere”. Whatever the term used they have the same meaning. It is the first
novel that Jose Rizal wrote. The work that detailed the dark aspects of Spain’s colonial
rule in the Philippines. Also, how cruel the friars are back in 1880’s. It is a work that can
wake Filipino’s mind.

This novel does really inspire me a lot. For me, it is one of the greatest novel I have
read. It talks about how the society works during this era. How Rizal dedicate this to the
Spaniards and that they are being absurd. As I read more deeply into this novel, it endive
to me that this piece of work by Dr. Jose Rizal is precisely a political and social taunt. The
characters of the novel are greatly associated with those who have got incumbent society.
The zealotry and persecution of the church and its priest were clearly illustrated through
the feature of Fr. Damaso and Fr. Salvi. The harshness of the head of the constabulary
guards known as the El Alperez, to the natives and the reprisal of the indios through
rebellion and subversion in the personification of Elias was clear and convincing note of
Rizal’s view of the class struggle as his era. In the story of Maria Clara is the character
that got Rizal’s adoration and appreciation by his generation. They say that Maria Clara
was said to be the symbol of true Filipina beauty and character. Like Sisa, Pedro is the
personification of a cruel and abusive husband, a citizen of this nation who always think
of himself by satisfying his addiction to all kinds of vices without considering the negative
effects. Donya Victorina, pure Filipino but casted off the raise of being a Filipino.

I can say that this novel can be considered as a biblical true situation of the society.
Noli Me Tangere depict stories and passage that exist even today, much less that it lays
down the problem and the rotten system of our modern Philippine society. I was thinking
about it and thought that Noli Me Tangere content was often about the past and how
government abuse the power and sorrow. It described love like the spoils of love of the
Filpinos for their country. And I think the lesson we can get from it, is to learn how to fight
in a peaceful manner, fighting doesn’t need a sword or bolos but it can also be possible
using your own pen or your wisdom. As a Filipino, we should learn to be united in deeds
avoiding the empera policy that the Spanish brought to us. And embrace our country’s
flaws and helping your country instead of giving up on it. It also shows how important for
us, Filipinos, to be patriotic and passionate to our own country.
Joy Estela S. Mangaya

EL FILIBUSTERISMO’S
REACTION PAPER

El Filibusterismo is a sequel to the Noli Me Tangere. It has a little humor, less

idealism, and less romance than the Noli. It is more revolutionary and more tragic than
the first novel.

The hero of El Filibusterismo is a rich jeweler named Simoun. He was Crisostomo

Ibarra of the Noli, who, with Elias’ help, escaped from the pursuing soldier’s art Laguna
de Bay, dug up his buried treasure, and fled to Cuba where he became rich and
befriended many Spanish officials. After many years he returned to the Philippines, where
he freely moved around. He is a powerful figure not only because he is a rich jeweler, but
also because he is a good friend and adviser of the governor general. Outwardly, Simoun
is a friend of Spain. However, deep in his art, he is secretly cherishing a terrible revenge
against the Spanish authorities. His two obsessions are rescuing Maria Clara, and
fomenting a revolution against their hated Spanish masters.

Everyone agrees on the fact that El Filibusterismo is far more dark and brutal than
Noli Me Tangere. With Many events of murder, sexual abuse, and suicide, El
Filibusterismo is a massive turning point not only for the plot but also for the characters.
Crisostomo Ibarra really did grow as a character in this book. He’s obviously not the
idealistic and open man he was once before. He became vengeful, anger, and n
somewhat way, cunning. And in my opinion, this transformation of his is very much human
and real. After everything he went through Noli Me Tangere, it seems only fitting that he
becomes the man who is Simoun. I believe that when Ibarra went under alias Simoun, he
did not just strip himself of his birth name but he stripped himself of all of what was left of
Juan Crisostomo Ibarra. They may share the same face, but if we’re not speaking about
physical attributes, then the only thing they truly did have in common was love for the
dear Maria Clara. But besides that, they don’t share the same mind, the same plans, the
same soul, the same heart.

This novel can really make me a better person because the novel’s message is
violence is never the answer. The novel’s plot shows that. At first, Simoun is planning
to rescue Maria Clara by all necessary means. That means even if he has to use force,
he will do it just to achieve his goal, contrary to what Ibarra believed in. at the end, Jose
Rizal showed that violence is never the answer in Simoun’s death and father Floretino’s
lamentations. The final event really showed that violence is never the answer to anything.
It is just a way to create replace the old problem with a new one.