1.

Identify the images you see on the cover page of this novel and explain its
possible symbolism.

The images on the cover page of the novel Noli Me Tange that we saw are the
following:
 Whip - this is a symbol of the cruelty of colonial military officers. Even Rizal
experienced the lash of a whip from a sergeant. Rizal's placement of the whip is a
sign that he will not forget the violence inflicted upon him by the Sergeant of
Calamba during his youth.
 Bamboo Tree - the bamboo tree is a tall but flexible plant that often sways with
the wind. Rizal included this image to show the way Filipinos adapt to the
ongoing oppression and exploitation of the Spaniards in their society.
 Sunflower - it is a unique flower that has the ability to follow the sun's path. It
symbolizes Filipinos who will be enlightened by reading Noli Me Tangere about
the Spanish exploitation.
 Torch - it symbolizes Noli Me Tangere, which sheds light or awareness to the
people. It signifies the end of ignorance and the start of a new way of life that will
not allow the Spaniards to oppress them.
 Shoes - it indicate the priests' extravagance and their turning away from the
teachings of Christ.
 Head of a Woman - it represents nothing else but the motherland.
 Cross - is the symbol of the religious nature of Filipinos. It can be observed that
Rizal placed the cross in almost the highest part of the cover. This is to show that
God is above all things. It is also a symbol of the Spanish colonization's use of
religion as a tool for domination.

2. Give a Summary and Analysis of the novel.

SUMMARY OF THE NOVEL

"Noli Me Tangere" "Noli Me Tangere" is a novel written by Filipino national
hero Jose Rizal, published in 1887. It is a work of fiction that highlights the social
issues and injustices in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period. The title is
Latin for "Touch Me Not," which refers to a biblical quote spoken by Jesus Christ to
Mary Magdalene after his resurrection.
The novel revolves around the story of Juan Crisostomo Ibarra, a young man
who returns to the Philippines after seven years of studying in Europe. He is the son
of a wealthy Filipino businessman, Don Rafael Ibarra, who was wrongly accused of
rebellion by the Spanish authorities and died in prison. Crisostomo seeks to uncover
the truth behind his father's death and to improve the lives of his fellow Filipinos, who
are oppressed by the Spanish colonial government and the friars.
Throughout the novel, Crisostomo encounters various characters who
represent different sectors of Philippine society, including the wealthy landowners,
the corrupt officials, and the oppressed peasants. He falls in love with Maria Clara,
the daughter of the corrupt Spanish friar Padre Damaso, who was responsible for his
father's death. Crisostomo's pursuit of justice and reform is met with resistance from
the Spanish authorities and the friars, who view him as a threat to their power.
The novel ends tragically, with Crisostomo being betrayed by one of his
closest friends and falsely accused of rebellion. He is sentenced to death by the
Spanish authorities, but his death ultimately sparks a revolution that leads to the
Philippines' independence from Spanish colonial rule.
 ANALYSIS OF THE NOVEL
"Noli Me Tangere" "Noli Me Tangere" is a novel written by Jose Rizal that
tackles the social injustices and corruption that plagued the Philippine society during
the Spanish colonial period. The novel exposes the oppression experienced by the
Filipino people at the hands of the Spanish colonizers and the friars who wielded
immense power over them.
The novel's protagonist, Juan Crisostomo Ibarra, represents the educated and
wealthy Filipinos who, after studying abroad, return to the Philippines to address the
country's social and economic issues. Juan's quest to improve the lives of his
countrymen leads him to clash with the corrupt Spanish colonial government and the
abusive friars who profit from their positions of power.
One of the novel's most poignant themes is the destructive effect of
colonization on the colonized people's identity and culture. The Filipino characters in
the novel are made to feel inferior and are forced to adapt to the Spanish colonizers'
way of life. The friars also use religion as a tool for oppression, using their influence
to manipulate the people's beliefs and practices.
Another important theme in "Noli Me Tangere" is the struggle for equality and
justice. The novel highlights the disparity between the rich and the poor and exposes
the flaws of the Spanish colonial system, which only benefited the wealthy and the
powerful. The novel also shows the people's resilience and their willingness to fight
for their rights, even in the face of danger and oppression.
The novel's ending is tragic, with Juan being falsely accused of rebellion and
sentenced to death. However, his death serves as a catalyst for the revolution that
eventually led to the Philippines' independence from Spanish colonial rule. The
novel's message is clear: change can only be achieved through sacrifice and struggle,
and the fight for freedom and justice is a never-ending battle.
Overall, "Noli Me Tangere" is a powerful and insightful work of literature that
sheds light on the social and political realities of the Philippines during the Spanish
colonial period. The novel's themes of colonization, oppression, and struggle for
justice and equality remain relevant to this day and continue to inspire generations of
Filipinos to fight for their rights and their country's future.

3. Make a list of the lessons we could learn from the novel.

"Noli Me Tangere" is a novel written by Philippine national hero Dr. Jose

Rizal in the late 19th century. It exposes the social injustices and political corruption
prevalent in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era. Here are some lessons
that can be learned from the novel:
 The importance of education: Education is the key to breaking the cycle of
poverty and social inequality. In the novel, the protagonist, Crisostomo Ibarra,
uses his education to fight for justice and reform.
 The dangers of blind faith: The novel criticizes the negative effects of blind faith
and superstition, which prevent people from questioning authority and hindering
progress.
 The need for social and political reform: The novel exposes the social and
political injustices of the Spanish colonial regime in the Philippines, and calls for
reform and change.
 The consequences of abuse of power: The novel depicts the abuse of power and
corruption of the Spanish colonial officials, and the suffering it causes for the
common people.
 The importance of love for country: The novel shows the importance of
patriotism and love for one's country, and the sacrifices that individuals must
make for the greater good.
 The power of unity: The novel highlights the power of unity among the oppressed
masses to fight for their rights and bring about change.
 The significance of family and community: The novel portrays the importance of
family and community ties in Filipino culture, and how they can serve as a source
of strength and support during difficult times.
 The dangers of discrimination and prejudice: The novel portrays the negative
effects of discrimination and prejudice, and how it can lead to social and
economic inequality.
 The importance of forgiveness and reconciliation: The novel portrays the
importance of forgiveness and reconciliation in healing wounds caused by past
injustices and conflicts.
 The role of literature in social and political reform: The novel serves as a
powerful tool in raising awareness and inspiring action for social and political
reform, and highlights the importance of literature in shaping public
consciousness.

4. Identify the following characters in the novel: Crisistomo Ibarra, Maria Clara,
Elias, Padre Damaso, Sisa, Basilio, Crispin, Capitan Tiago, Pilosopo Tasio,
Donya Victorina, Don Tiburcio, Pia Alba.

Crisostomo Ibarra - In the novel, he seeks to improve the lives of his fellow
Filipinos by building a school in their town. However, he faces many obstacles and
setbacks, including the opposition of the Spanish friars and the corrupt officials in the
colonial government. As the story unfolds, he becomes increasingly disillusioned with
the colonial system and its injustices, which eventually lead him to take drastic action.
Maria Clara - Throughout the novel, she was courted by Crisostomo Ibarra,
whom she has known since childhood. However, their relationship is complicated by
the interference of the Spanish friars and the machinations of her evil and
manipulative aunt, Donya Consolacion.
Elias - He was the one who saves Crisostomo Ibarra from drowning. Elias is
described as a dark-skinned, tall, and handsome man who wears a salakot (a
traditional Filipino hat) and speaks in a low and gentle voice.
Padre Damaso - He harbors a deep hatred towards the Ibarra family and seeks
to destroy them through various means. He is also the father of Maria Clara.
Sisa - She is a poor and uneducated mother of two sons, Basilio and Crispin.
Sisa is portrayed as a loving mother who cares deeply for her children but suffers
from severe emotional and mental distress.
Basilio - He is the son of Sisa and the younger brother of Crispin. He becomes
involved in the revolution against the colonial government, and his story reflects the
struggles of the Filipino people in their fight for freedom and justice.
Crispin - He is the younger brother of Basilio and the son of Sisa. He is a
victim of the corrupt system in the novel. He is falsely accused of stealing money
from the church by
Capitan Tiago - He is a wealthy and influential mestizo businessman who is
known for his generosity and support of the church.
Pilosopo Tasio - He is a wise old man who serves as a mentor to Simoun. He
is known for his critical thinking and his desire for reforms in the Philippine society.
 Donya Victorina - She is a Spanish mestiza who is married to the wealthy
Filipino Don Tiburcio de Espadaña. She is known for her vanity and desire to be
perceived as a Spanish lady.
Don Tiburcio - He is portrayed as a weak and sickly man who is married to the
social-climbing Donya Victorina.
Pia Alba - She is the fiancée of Basilio. She is known as a beautiful and kind
young woman who is deeply in love with Basilio.

5. Differentiate Noli and Rizal’s El Filibusterismo.

The difference between Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo is that The

Noli Me Tangere is a romantic novel exposing the real situation of the Philippines
way back then while the El Filibusterismo is a political novel, it is a story of revenge
and revolution. The concept of Noli Me Tangere is to work pacifist choosing peaceful
reforms through education. So if we are going to read the story of Noli Me Tangere,
Juan Crisostomo Ibarra chose to continue what his father, Don Rafael Ibarra, had
started, which is to build a school because he believed that it would be the solution to
the problems of the Philippines way back then while the the El Filibusterismo its
concept is to work for revenge about the sufferings of filipino people and about the
family of Simoun. However, in the end, his plan did not succeed. So if we are going
to read the story of the novels. At the end of Noli Me Tangere, the people protesting
against Juan Crisostomo Ibarra’s thought that he was dead, but it was actually Elias
who died while in the El Filibusterismo, which takes place 13 years later after the
death of Sisa and Elias, Juan Crisostomo Ibarra returns as a wealthy jeweler named
Simoun. His plan is to seek revenge and to avenge what he experienced and what
happened to him in Noli Me Tangere. There are two reasons why Simoun feels the
need to seek revenge. First, he wants to get Maria Clara back from the convent.
Second, he wants to avenge what happened to his fellow Filipinos. The Noli Me
Tangere was dedicated by Jose Rizal to the Philippines, while El Filibusterismo was
dedicated to the three martyr priests which are Fathers Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora.
In terms of length, Noli Me Tangere has 64 chapters while El Filibusterismo has 39
chapters.

6. Why is the second novel entitled El Filibusterismo? Who is Simoun? What was
his plan? And why did Rizal chose death for this main character?

The second novel of Jose Rizal is entitled "El Filibusterismo" because it tells
the story of the rise of a revolution against the Spanish colonial government in the
Philippines, which was referred to as the "filibusterismo" movement during that time.
The term "filibusterismo" comes from the Spanish word "filibustero," which means
"pirate" or "freebooter," and was used by the Spanish authorities to describe
individuals who were involved in subversive activities or anti-colonial movements.
Simoun is a character in "El Filibusterismo" who is also known as Don
Crisostomo Ibarra, the protagonist of Rizal's first novel, "Noli Me Tangere." In "El
Filibusterismo," Simoun is a wealthy and powerful jeweler who has a hidden agenda
to overthrow the Spanish colonial government in the Philippines. His plan is to use his
wealth and influence to manipulate the various factions in Philippine society and
incite a revolution against the Spanish authorities.
Rizal chose to have Simoun meet a tragic end in "El Filibusterismo" to convey
a message about the dangers of seeking revenge and resorting to violent means to
achieve one's goals. Simoun's plan to incite a revolution ultimately fails, and he is
forced to flee the country. He later returns to the Philippines, disguised as a priest,
with the intention of carrying out a bombing plot that will destroy the corrupt ruling
class. However, the plot fails, and Simoun is fatally wounded.
Rizal's decision to have Simoun meet a tragic end is significant because it
shows that the use of violence and extremism only leads to more suffering and
destruction. Rizal believed in the power of peaceful reform and education to effect
change, rather than resorting to violent means. In "El Filibusterismo," he portrays
Simoun as a complex and tragic figure who is consumed by his desire for revenge and
ultimately pays the price for his actions.

7. Name old characters found in Noli Me Tangere and new characters found in
the El Filibusterismo and describe.

The old characters found in Noli Me Tangere are:

 Crisostomo Ibarra - The protagonist of the novel and a young idealistic Filipino
who is dedicated to improving the lives of his countrymen.
 Maria Clara - The daughter of Captain Tiago and Ibarra's childhood sweetheart.
She is known for her beauty and piety.
 Padre Damaso - A Spanish friar who is arrogant, abusive, and corrupt. He is
known for his mistreatment of the native Filipinos.
 Sisa - A mother who suffers from mental illness due to the abuse she received
from her husband and society.
 Pedro - Abusive husband of Sisa.
 Elias - A mysterious young man who helps Ibarra and later becomes a
revolutionary.
 Pilosopo Tasyo - He argues with the belief of the Catholic Church and social
changes and corncerns in the novel.

And the new characters found in El Filibusterismo are:

 Simoun - The protagonist of the novel and the alter-ego of Ibarra. He is a wealthy
jeweler who seeks revenge against the Spanish colonizers.
 Juli - The girlfriend of Basilio, and the youngest daughter of Kabesang Tales
 Isagani - A young Filipino who is passionate about fighting for his country's
independence. He is a student at the Ateneo Municipal.
 Paulita Gomez - The daughter of the martyred priest Father Gomez. She is known
for her beauty and her love for Isagani.
 Kabesang Tales - A wealthy farmer who becomes disillusioned with the Spanish
government after being betrayed by the friars. He later becomes a revolutionary
leader.
 Tandang Selo - Father of Kabesang Tales. He raised the sick and young Basilio
after his mother Sisa died.
 Attorney Pasta - one of the great lawyers of mid-Hispanic Manila.
 Ben Zayb - He is a journalist who thought he was the only one thinking in the
Philippines.

These characters represent different aspects of Philippine society and their

struggles against the oppression and corruption of the Spanish colonizers. Each
character is unique and contributes to the overall themes and messages of the novels.