Catherine M.

Metra
BSN IV

Research of the Missing Chapter of Noli Me Tangere ( Elias and Salome)

1. What chapter is Elias and Salome?

Answer:

It was the missing chapter. There is a missing chapter in the novel. “Elias and Salome”
which was deleted by Rizal for the simple reason of economy.

2. Who is Salome in the life of Elias

Answer:

Salome was the sweetheart of Elias. It is the story where Elias and Salome bade each
other goodbye after he had saved Ibarra from Spanish pursuers and he had been shot and was
seriously wounded. It was a tale of love, where Elias gave his reasons for giving up their love,
and with the desire of Salome to live in the nipa hut by the placid lake of Mindoro to bring Elias
with her.

3. Why is the chapter elias and salome was eliminated from Noli?
Answer:

There is much speculation about why Rizal gave up this chapter but it’s most
probably because Elias and Salome were minor characters playing in the subplot and it does
not greatly affect the story. Nothing will change if it is included or not. And also because of
the low budget to publish the whole book.

4. What happen to Elias in Noli Me Tangere

Answer:

Elias came from the family which the Ibarra clan had oppressed for generations. He
grew up in a wealthy family until he discovered something that changed his life forever. Despite
that Ibarra's family subjugated his family, he is entirely indebted towards him. Furthermore,
Ibarra, who in turn, saved Elías' life when they tried to kill a crocodile. Elias helped him again
before Ibarra got arrested by burning his house. Elias and Ibarra continued supporting each
other until Elias sacrificed himself to help him one last time. He was shot by the guards
(mistakenly took as Ibarra trying to dive down the river and escape) and slowly died.
5. Write your personal reaction about this chapter.
Answer:

It gives a good back story but its existence isn’t critical to the main plot which is
probably why Rizal felt it was safe to remove the chapter from the first published
manuscript. And I think, Jose Rizal, the author, didn't put the said chapter in publishing Noli Me
Tangere because of the reaction he will get from the readers. If you read the chapter, we can
see that Salome is living alone which is very unusual to the women at that time. They might
think that Salome is a sinful woman which is very contrary to her character in the book.

Elias can be compared to the modern heroes of today’s society who give up their
personal interests of the nation. A number of public figures and politicians continue to be
labelled as corrupted wanting only self-gain.