Rizal’s

Noli Me
Tangere:
A Sociological Interpretation
 Introduction
The sense of nationalism has become the seed of Heroism comes in
a lot of faces. Hence its expression may vary in ways chosen by the
person as the subject who would realize this heroic deed.

Similar to some great heroes of the world who are more inclined to
uphold that “the pen is mightier than the sword”, Dr. Jose Rizal has
chosen one way of expressing his nationalistic spirit through writing.

He has written so many works which are mostly reflective of his love
and devotion to his motherland. One of these numerous great works
is the Noli Me Tangere.
 Introduction
It is observable that he vividly elucidated himself through the characters in the
novel.

This kind of writing skill had helped readers to relate clearly to these characters and
the imagery that these characters have brought in the societal picture.

This work was considered as the most influential novel by Rizal.

It was said to have influenced the 19th and 20th nationalistic sentiments.
 Unveil the symbolic
Determine the underlying
characters from the novel
reasons why Rizal wrote
vis-a-vis their actual
the novel
societal signification
/

Lesson Objectives
Lesson Content
The Lesson content contains the necessary
concepts relative of Dr. Jose Rizal’s first novel
the “Noli Me Tangere”. Moreover, this
includes an application of the novel’s
implication to the societal conditions.

*Suggested Related Readings should be researched

should you need more support in your personal studies
on Rizal’s novels*
 The Noli Me
Tangere
The title chosen by Rizal was extracted from the
gospel of St. John depicting the words of Jesus
spoken to Mary Magdalene, “touch me not” (its
Latin translation- Noli Me Tangere). Rizal first
utilized the Spanish language when he first
wrote it.

Acclaimed to be profoundly written, this work

was primarily not to pageant his writing skill
nor his wide range of knowledge. The novel
was intended for a purpose more than those
although the work both shows the expertise.
 This was considered the summary of Rizal’s
objective of exposing the events which
happened during his time.
The Noli Me
Tangere The objective descriptions of the events
would give the readers the clear picture
concerning the nature of these events as
merely ordinary or oppressive.
The Noli Me Tangere
The novel was finished on February 21, 1887 in
Berlin. The first publication of the novel is said
to have 2000 copies.

It was believed that Rizal gave the first copies of

the novel to some of his compatriots (some
were Propagandists and members of the La
Liga). These few is said to include: Ferdinand
Blumentritt, Mariano Ponce, Felix Hidalgo, and
Maximo Viola.

Some of the known translations of Rizal’s first

novel were, by Leon Ma. Guerrero (1961) and
by Charles Derbyshire (1912).
 The idealistic Juan Crisostomo Ibarra returns home after
a period of seven years from Europe.

Just like his father, Don Rafael Ibarra, he endeavors for

reforms primarily in the field of education in order to
eliminate society’s condition such as poverty so that to
improve the lives of his fellow countrymen.
The Plot of
Rizal’s 1st Learning about the death of his father, and the denial of
Novel a proper Catholic burial for his father, Ibarra was
provoked to have hit Padre Damaso at one time.

This event had led eventually for Ibarra’s

excommunication. The excommunication at that time
was hindered by intervention of the Governador
General.
 Padre Salvi, otherwise hated Rizal considering his
behaviors as definitive of rebellion.

In the later parts of the story, Maria Clara was

forced to turn against Ibarra which the former
confessed to have done such conspiracy not out of
good will because she was merely compelled to do
so at the expense of some truth that would be
The Plot of uncovered by the letters of his mother.
Rizal’s 1st
Novel The letters were to be given as an exchange for
her conspiracy against Rizal. The letters contain
the truth about the real parents of Maria Clara.

Her real father was Padre Damaso and not Capitan

Tiago, who all this time kept the secret for their
stead.
 Meanwhile Ibarra was able to escape prison with
Elias, his bosom friend, who similarly experienced
injustice with the Spanish authorities.

Maria Clara and Ibarra had a chance of addressing

their midst. Ibarra forgave Maria Clara upon
knowing the reason behind her conspiring with
The Plot of authorities.
Rizal’s 1st
Novel
However after this talk, Ibarra and Elias flee to the
lake as they were chased by the Guardia Civil.

There was one shot and the other survives. Maria

Clara believed that Ibarra was dead so she entered
the nunnery instead of marrying Alfonso Linares.
 On the other hand, the fatally wounded Elias
found the child Basilio and his dead mother, Sisa.

The Plot of Sisa was driven to insanity when she learned that
Basilio and Crispin were accused for theft by the
Rizal’s 1st sacristan mayor.
Novel
Elias told Basilio to dig for his and Sisa’s graves and
there lies a buried treasure which he can use for
his education.
The Sociological Impact of the Novel
 The Symbolism of the Novel’s
Characters
Here are the characters of the Noli who are said to have symbolic equation in the society.

Don Rafael Ibarra Crisostomo Ibarra Elias

*some items from the list of characters are to be tasked as an assignment on symbolic signification
 The Symbolism of the Novel’s
Characters
Here are the characters of the Noli who are said to have symbolic equation in the society.

Capitan Tiyago Maria Clara Tiya Isabel

*some items from the list of characters are to be tasked as an assignment on symbolic signification
 The Symbolism of the Novel’s
Characters
Here are the characters of the Noli who are said to have symbolic equation in the society.

Sisa Basilio Lt. Guevarra

*some items from the list of characters are to be tasked as an assignment on symbolic signification
 The Symbolism of the Novel’s
Characters
Here are the characters of the Noli who are said to have symbolic equation in the society.

Padre Salve Padre Damaso Filosofo Tasio

*some items from the list of characters are to be tasked as an assignment on symbolic signification
 The Symbolism of the Novel’s
Characters
Here are the characters of the Noli who are said to have symbolic equation in the society.

Doña Victorina Don Tiburcio

*some items from the list of characters are to be tasked as an assignment on symbolic signification
 The Symbolism of the Novel’s
Characters
Here are the characters of the Noli who are said to have symbolic equation in the society.

Doña Victorina Lt. Guevarra

*some items from the list of characters are to be tasked as an assignment on symbolic signification
 The novel contains portrayal of
realistic events which are also
observable societal conditions.

No doubt that at some point, it is

considered as one of the reasons why
he was accused of insurrection.

The novel is said to contain

rebellious implications against the
Spanish Colonial Government during
Rizal’s time.
 However, to discount these implications
against the novel, one can attest to the realistic
manifestations of the characterization portrayed
by the persons in the novel in the society.

Capitan Tiago for one embodies the example

of a common man who blends into the whims and
caprices of Spanish officials because of fear.

This shares a similar description to the

attitude of Tiya Isabel, the Aunt of Maria Clara.

Also, Elias embodies the example of a faithful

friend who proves this faithful friendship through
thick and thin.
◦ The novel described the Philippine society with its memorable characters.

◦ The melancholic fate of Maria Clara and the insanity of the desperate Sisa
characterized the country’s pitiful state, which turned miserable from something
which was once sublime.

◦ Reading Noli Me Tangere will open one’s mind about oppression and tyranny by
those who are in power.

◦ Furthermore, it will awaken the slumber of those who lay passive to the events
which they considered unjust and unfair.