RIZAL’S LIFE AND WORKS

Lesson 8
Noli Me Tangere
LEARNING OUTCOMES
"Ang bayan po'y di dumaraing dahil siya'y pipi, di tumitinang dahil
natutulog. Subali't darating ang panahong malalantad ito sa inyo at • Appraise important characters in
mapapakinggan ang kanyang mga panaghoy. Pagsapit ng araw na the novel and what they
represent
ito,... sasambulat sa lahat ng dako ang mga naipong luha; himutok at
buntong-hiningang matagal na panahong kinimkim sa puso ng • Examine the present Philippine
situation through the examples
bayan." - Pilosopo Tasyo (kab. 25)
mentioned in the Noli.

Pre-test
Encircle the correct answer.

1. What does the title "Noli Me Tangere" mean?

A. Do not detain me C. Subversive
B. Touch me not D. Rebel
2. How much did Rizal owed to Maximo Viola so that the novel Noli Me
Tangere could be printed?
A. P100.00 C. P200.00
B. P150.00 D. P300.00
3. What is the name of Maria Clara’s biological Father?
A. Father Damaso C. Kapitan Tiago
B. Father Salvi D. Pilosopo Tasyo
4. "Noli me tangere" was originally written in what language?
A. Tagalog C. Latin
B. English D. Spanish
5. Who is the main character of Noli Me Tangere?
A. Simoun C. Capitan Tiago
B. Crisostomo Ibarra D. Sisa

Z M A R I A C L A R A F G J N F I

Pre-Activity: C A R I I B A R C K A B A T A A B

Look for the characters of Noli Me I D F O B N N O A J S F B A B I O

Tangere from the box. B F G I Q I Y S A A M A R R L I Q

A A C Z F P R V R H R P I I L Q I
SISA C A S I P S N A R E S V L I O N R
IBARRA V S Q I H I L M A V D C S H M E S
CRISPIN
G I T Z L R Q G B A K A A Y A N L
BASILIO
N S C I O C A L I S B A L S I R C
MARIA CLARA

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
55
RIZAL’S LIFE AND WORKS

History of Noli Me Tangere

Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere is perhaps the Philippines’ most influential novel. It stirred the nationalist
sentiments of the 19th and 20th centuries. The novel of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin was Rizal’s
inspiration in writing it.

Noli Me Tangere was written in Spanish and was published in 1887 in Berlin. Its title was translated in
English as “Touch Me Not” and in Filipino as “Huwag Mo Akong Sangilin”. Unknown to many, the novel was
cut short because it should have been written by several authors including Rizal who already had ideas about
the corruption and different crimes happening in the Philippines then it would be put into a novel. However,
those people don’t have any interest in writing, thus, Rizal wrote the novel himself.

Rizal started the novel in Madrid, Spain year 1884

and finished it during his time in Berlin, Germany year
1887. During the time he was writing Noli, there were
several times when he almost burned the manuscript
because of losing hope to publish it. Behind its success,
there were people who contributed greatly for Noli.

Maximo Viola was hailed as the savior of Noli

when he loaned Rizal 300.00 pesos the needed funds to
publish the novel. Vincente Blasco Ibanez become Rizal’s
editor and consultant. The people who first received
copies of the novel were Dr. Ferdinand Bluementritt,
Antonio Regidor, Mariano Ponce, and Felix Hidalgo.

“Elias and Salome” was a deleted chapter of the

novel to save printing expenses. Finally, on February 21,
1887, the Noli was finally finished and ready for printing.

Berliner Buchdruckrei-Action-Gesselschaft was a printing shop

which charged the lowest rate, that is, 300 pesos for 2,000 copies of the
novel. The Noli Me Tangere came off the press on March 21, 1887.

The novel was translated into Filipino, French, German, Chinese and other
Philippine dialects.

The best known English translation of the book was done by Charles
Derbyshire in 1912 and by Leon Maria Guerrero in 1961.

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
56
RIZAL’S LIFE AND WORKS

Characters of Noli Me Tangere Disclaimer: Credits to the rightful artist of the illustrations
https://www.pinterest.ph/BlitbotStudios/

Crisostomo Ibarra, who returns to the Philippines after pursuing scholarly studies in Europe. He plans to
open up a school and marry Maria Clara, his betrothed. However, parish priest Padre Damaso, the archenemy of
the Ibarras, is out to hinder Crisostomo’s plans, which creates “a dramatic storyline of forbidden love, betrayal
and revenge. (Synopsis from Resorts World Manila, 2014 – Opera)

Crisóstomo Ibarra - a Filipino who studied in Europe for 7 years,

the love interest of Maria Clara. Son of the deceased Don Rafael
Ibarra;
María Clara - María Clara de los Santos, Ibarra's sweetheart; the
illegitimate daughter of Father Dámaso and Pía Alba.

Kapitán Tiago - Also known in his fullname as Don Santiago de

los Santos the known father of María Clara but not the real one;
lives in Binondo.
Padre Dámaso - Also known in his full name as Dámaso
Verdolagas, Franciscan friar and María Clara's biological father.
Elías - Ibarra's mysterious friend, a master boater, also a fugitive.
He was referred to at one point as the pilot. He wants to
revolutionize his country. Ibarra's grandfather condemned his
grandfather of burning a warehouse, making Elias the fugitive he
is.
Pilósopong Tasyo - Also known as Don Anastasio, portrayed in
the novel as a pessimist, cynic, and mad by his neighbors.
Doña Victorina - Victorina de los Reyes de De Espadaña, a
woman who passes herself off as a Peninsular. Married to Don
Tiburcio (a quack doctor). Above all else, Doña Victorina cares
about her image as a beautiful and admired socialite.
Sisa - The mother of Basilio and Crispín, who went insane after
losing her sons.
Basilio - The elder son of Sisa.
Crispín - The younger son of Sisa. The younger son of Sisa who
died from the punishment from the soldiers from the false
accusation of stealing an amount of money.

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
57
RIZAL’S LIFE AND WORKS

• Social Awakening- the content of the novels of Rizal can be still relevant and relatable up to the present
time. The story and characters mirror some people in our society. It also taught us to fight for our rights and
freedom.
• Education - In secondary and tertiary education, Noli and El Fili became part of the things we should study;
which is good for us to know our history and appreciate our hero. But sadly, many youths didn't appreciate
those precious novels. Some see it as an additional burden for their school works.

Analysis of the book cover

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
58
RIZAL’S LIFE AND WORKS

Several Analysis of the contents of the novel

• The melancholic fate of Maria Clara and the insanity of Sisa characterized the country’s pitiful state,
which was once beautiful, turned miserable.
• The injustice and abuse of power of the Friars depicts the ugly side of the Catholic church and its clergy.
• Forced Labor imposed to the Filipinos showed the inequality before the law and it robs them their labor
rights.
• Oligarchy was clearly seen as haciendas were owned by the Friars making them the riches landlords.
• Guardia Civils become infamous for their rampant abuses such as maltreating innocent people, raping
women, and etc.

Noli Me Tangere is a romantic novel, a “work of the heart”—a book of feeling”; has freshness, color, humor,
lightness, and wit and contains 64 chapters.

Summary
• The initial copies of the first publication of Noli Me Tangere was 2,000.
• The novel portrays the condition of the Philippines and struggles of Filipinos during
Spanish regime.
• Some characters of Noli Me Tangere were inspired by real people known by Rizal.
• The novel become controversial because of its storyline that seems to be negative
especially to the friars and Spanish authorities.

Resources/References:

Constantino, Renato. “Our task: to make Rizal obsolete” in this week, Manila Chronicle (14 June, 1959)
Daroy, Petronilo. Rizal contrary essays. Quezon City: Guro Books, 1968
Almario, Virgilio. 2008. Si Rizal: Nobelista. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press.
Derbyshire Charles. Chapters 49, 50, 61 of The Social Cancer https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/6737
https://www.kapitbisig.com/philippines/noli-me-tangere-the-social-cancer-by-dr-jose-rizal-book-notes-summary-in-english-the-characters-the-
summary-of-noli-me-tangere_850.html/page/0/1
http://mcshukbalahap.jigsy.com/mahahalagang-pahayag

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
59
RIZAL’S LIFE AND WORKS

ASSESSMENT
TEST YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Answer the following questions.

To compare today, what are the injustices that we can see at present caused by the abuse of power
and social standing? Enumerate.
a.

b.

c.

Write a summary for the following characters in the novel (Ibarra, Marcia Clara, Sisa, Elias, and
Crispin).

__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

Post-test
In a separate document/paper, answer the following questions.

1. Choose a particular character from Noli Me Tangere which you think portrays most the
Filipinos today and explain why.
2. From your point of view, why did Rizal came up with the "Noli Me Tangere"? Do you
think it fits the Philippine's situation well during Spanish colonization?

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
60