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NOLI ME TANGERE

At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

1. Appraise important characters in the novel and what they represent. 2. Examine
the present Philippine situation through the examples mentioned in the Noli Me
Tangere.

Noli Me Tangere is Latin phrase that

means
“Touch me not.” Interestingly, it was lifted
from the
Bible, in fact, he wrote a letter to Felix
Hidalgo on
March 5, 1887 where he informed Hidalgo
that it was
from the Gospel of Luke. Rizal made a
mistake in
citing the Bible as this phrase was from the
Gospel of
John, particularly the chapter 20 verse 17. This was
when Mary Magdalene tried to touch the newly risen
Jesus and the latter said, “Touch me not; for I am not
yet ascended to my Father.” Additionally, he
dedicated his novel to his country – the Philippines.

http://www.artchive.com/artchive/c/correggio/correggio_tangere.jpg

JOURNEY TO PUBLICATION
Rizal’s inspiration in writing his first novel was Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel
entitled Uncle Tom’s Cabin, a novel that portrayed the pathetic and inhumane conditions
of Negro slaves brought by the brutalities of American slave-owners. This led to Rizal’s
idea of creating a novel that would depict the oppression of the Spaniards to the Filipinos.
He was then a student at Universidad Central de Madrid.
On January 2, 1884, during the reunion of Filipinos at the Paterno’s residence in
Madrid, Rizal proposed to his compatriots to write a novel about the Philippines. This
proposal was unanimously approved by the present Filipinos in the gathering, among were
the Paterno brothers, Graciano Lopez Jaena, Evaristo Aguirre, Eduardo de Lete, Julio
Llorente, Melecio Figueroa, and Valentin Ventura. The novel will be written by a group
of Filipinos in Madrid and initially planned to cover all phases of Philippine life.
Unfortunately, none of the compatriots contributed to the content of the novel as they
were more interested writing about women. Instead of collaborating thoughts for the
novel, his compatriots invested more time on gambling and flirting with Spanish women.
This made Rizal disappointed on his compatriots’ behavior and forced him to write the
novel alone.
Toward the end of 1884, Rizal began writing the novel in Madrid and finished
about one-half of the novel. After completing his studies in the Universidad Central de
Madrid
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in 1885, he went to Paris and continued writing until the third quarter. The last quarter of
the novel was finished in Germany and the last few chapters were written in Wilhelmsfeld
between April to June, 1886.
One of the darkest periods in Rizal’s life occurred during the winter days of
February 1886 in Berlin, it was the same time he made the final revisions of the
manuscript of Noli. He was penniless, sick, and being hopelessness in the publication of
his novel, he almost threw the manuscript of Noli into the flames. Rizal was living his life
in misery when his friend Maximo Viola of San Miguel, Bulacan sent him a telegram
about his coming to Berlin. It was before the Christmas of 1886 when Viola arrived in
Berlin and was shocked upon seeing the condition of Rizal. He was living in poverty and
malnourished. Believing on Rizal’s natural talent and determination in the publication of
his novel, Viola lend him some money for his living expenses and the publication of Noli
Me Tangere.
After the Christmas season, Rizal busied himself into the finishing touch of Noli
Me Tangere. Rizal removed the original chapter twenty-five “Elias at Salome” due to the
expensive cost of publication. It was on February 21, 1887 when the Noli was finally
finished and ready for printing. Together with Viola, Rizal spent days of surveying
different printing shops in Berlin that would offer the cheapest printing service to his
novel. It was Berliner Buchdruckrei-Action-Gesselschaft that gave the lowest charge of
300 pesos for 2000 copies of the novel.
During the printing of Noli, Rizal was suspected as a French spy resulting to a
visit of a German chief police to his boarding house. The latter asked for Rizal’s passport
but he failed to show any since he had none. He was then given four days to secure a
passport to avoid deportation. With the help of Viola, he went to the Spanish embassy to
seek help from the Spanish ambassador, the Count of Benomar, who promised to help
him. However, the ambassador failed to help him as the latter had no power to issue the
required passport. After the ultimatum, Rizal went to the office of the German chief
police and apologized for failing to present a passport. He also asked the officer why he
would be deported when he was not committing any crime. The chief police informed
him that he received intelligent reports about Rizal’s frequent visits to the little towns and
villages in the rural areas of Berlin and this aroused the suspicion of the German
government of him being a French spy. With fluency in German language, Rizal
explained politely that he was a Filipino physician and scientist, particularly an
ethnologist, who at that time were observing the customs and lifestyles of the simple
inhabitants in Berlin. Surprisingly, due to Rizal’s personal charisma and language fluency
in German, the chief police was impressed and allowed him to stay freely in Germany.
 After the settlement of the issue he encountered, he spent his days at the printing shop
proof-reading the printed pages of the novel with Viola.
On March 21, 1887, the Noli Me Tangere came off the press. Rizal immediately
sent the first copies of the novel to his intimate friends, including Ferdinand Blumentritt,
Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor, Graciano Lopez Jaena, Mariano Ponce, and Felix Hidalgo. As a
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token of gratitude and appreciation, he gave Viola the galley proofs of the Noli carefully
rolled around the pen he used in writing the novel and a complimentary copy on March
29, 1887. He put an inscription to it: “To my dear friend, Maximo Viola, the first to read
and appreciate my work --- Jose Rizal.”
SYMBOLISM

The original cover of the novel

was divided into two triangles separated by
the title “Noli Me Tangere”. The upper
triangle represents the life situation in
Rizal’s time while the lower triangle
represents the oppression of his
countrymen at the hands of the Spanish
tyranny. The partly covered text is secret
message of Rizal to his parents:

The Filipino Expert.com

A mis P(adres,)
Al escribir e(sta obra he estado
p)ensando continuamente e(n vosotros que
me h)abeis in-fundido los p(rimeros
pensamientos) y las prime-ras ideas; a
v(osotros os dedi)co este manus
crito de mi( joventud com pr)ueba de
amor.
Berlin( 21 de Febrero de 1)887

To my parents,
In writing this work I have been continually thinking of you who have instilled in me
the first thoughts and the first ideas; I dedicate this manuscript of my youth to you as a
proof of love.
 Berlin February 21, 1887
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Lower Triangle
(It represents the oppression of his countrymen at
the hands of Spanish tyranny.)

➢ A man in a cassock with hairy feet – represents

the priests that use religion as a façade to their
dirty doings and to oppress the Indios.
➢ Chains – it represents slavery.

➢ Flogs and Whips – it symbolizes the cruelties of

the Spaniards.
➢ Bamboo stalk – depiction of the resilience of the
Filipinos.
➢ Helmet of Guardia Civil – the arrogance of those
in authority.

Upper Triangle
(It represents the life situation in Rizal’s time.)
➢ Silhouette of a Woman – some claimed that it
represents Maria Clara, the epitome of a Filipina
on the Spanish times, but it could also represent
the motherland – “Philippines” to which Rizal
dedicated his novel.
➢ Cross/Crucifix – it is situated above the silhouette
of a woman which symbolizes the dominance of
the church during the Spanish regime; sufferings.
➢ Pomelo Blossoms & Laurel Leaves – both of
these elements symbolized Rizal’s aspiration for
the Filipinos, in specific, honor and fidelity. As a
common practice during his times, pomelo
blossoms were utilized as a scent to the air
commonly used during ceremonies and rituals,
whereas laurel leaves were used as crowns during
the Ancient Greek Olympics to signify the best of
all the bests.
➢ Burning Torch – it symbolizes rage and passion.
 ➢ Sunflower – this represents a new beginning;
enlightenment.
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FACTS ABOUT THE NOVEL

Originally, Noli Me Tangere was written in Spanish, however, the English version
of the novel is commonly known as The Social Cancer. This translation came from the
novel's dedication where Rizal explained that there was a type of cancer so terrible that
the sufferer could not bear to be touched and this disease afflicted his homeland. Thus,
the novel was dedicated to "To My Fatherland" - the Philippines. The novel has 63
chapters since the twenty-fifth chapter entitled "Elias and Salome" had been removed due
to financial constraints in the publication.

CHARACTERS
Main Characters
Juan Crisostomo Ibarra y Magsalin
Crisostomo Ibarra is depicted as one of the Filipinos who managed to finish their
studies abroad. He had been living abroad for seven years. Unlike his countrymen, he was
outspoken, idealistic, and has a liberal mind. He was the son of Don Rafael, one of the
wealthiest businessmen in San Diego. As such, he was also a childhood friend of Maria
Clara. He is a very patient and serious man but when he was provoked, he becomes very
violent and impulsive.
Crisostomo Ibarra exemplified the vision that Jose Rizal had aimed for the youth
of the Philippines during his time. Other historians attribute Ibarra as Rizal’s reflection of
himself.
Maria Clara de los Santos y Alba
Maria Clara is the daughter of Capitan Tiago. She often wore dainty dresses and
religious artifacts (such as rosaries and a locket that contained a religious relic (agnos)
from St Peter's boat believed to where Jesus rode in thousand years ago). She also carries
a silk pouch that holds Ibarra's farewell letter. She sometimes carries a fan which she uses
to hide her face when embarrassed.
Her character is related to Rizal's childhood sweetheart, Leonor Rivera. Like the
real-life Leonor, she plays the piano and the harp and has a sweet voice. She was
portrayed as a faithful sweetheart, a good friend, and an obedient daughter. She is
portrayed as the ideal woman during her time. She does not impose her will except when
she refused to be married off to Linares.
Maria Clara symbolizes the purity and innocence of a sheltered native woman
during the time of Spanish occupation. She does not value material things that were
abundantly bestowed upon her by admirers and family alike but holds in high esteem her
parents’ honor and the promise she had given to her sweetheart.
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Elias
Elias is a former boatman who became one of the most wanted criminals in San
Diego. Due to several painful life events in his life, he distrusts human judgment and
prefers God's justice instead. He is acquainted with the tulisanes and other crooks, which
he uses to his advantage in discerning the troubles of the town. He was saved by Ibarra
from a vicious crocodile and swears to protect Ibarra after the incident. He discovered a
plot against Ibarra and thwarted it on his best ability.
He used to have an affluent life with his twin sister and was educated in a Jesuit
College. He prefers a revolution over the reforms, he even tried to convince Ibarra to join
his cause but Ibarra has been inclined to believe in a more conservative way in fighting
the Spaniards.
Elias represents the common Filipino who is not only aware of the injustices done
to their countrymen but would also like to deliver them from their oppressors. He is said
to be the personification of Andres Bonifacio.
Padre Damaso Verdolagas
Padre Dámaso is a Franciscan friar and the former parish curate of San Diego. He
is best known as a notorious character who speaks with harsh words and has been a cruel
priest during his stay in the town. He is the real father of María Clara and an enemy of
Crisóstomo's father, Rafael Ibarra. Later, he and María Clara had bitter arguments about
whether she would marry Alfonso Linares or go to a convent. He symbolizes the Spanish
friars of Rizal's time and his actions to the novel speak for the oppression and belittling of
the Indios at the hand of the Spaniards.
Pilosopo Tasio
Patterned after his oldest brother, Paciano Rizal, his full name is only known as
Don Anastasio. The educated inhabitants of San Diego labeled him as Filosofo Tacio
(Tacio the Sage) while others called him Tacio el Loco (Tacio the Insane) due to his
exceptional talent for reasoning.
He comes from a rich family. He is often the pessimist and is untrusting of human
altruism. He also does not believe in the religious fanaticism that was in vogue during his
time.
He symbolizes the learned Filipinos who had once embraced the culture of the
Spanish regime. They eventually became disenchanted when they return to the Philippines
and observe the stark contrast their countrymen receive from their colonizers. The more
they turn to learn, the more they become eccentric to the masses they seek to enlighten.
Other Supporting Characters
Characters in Noli Me Tangere who are depicted to be victims of poverty and
ignorance
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Sisa
The mother of Basilio and Crispin, Sisa, or Narcisa is the typical native wife. She
lived a miserable life which includes an abusive husband named Pedro who is also into
cockfighting. Sisa is thought to have represented the motherland who was suffering as her
character has suffered from the loss of her children. The tragic events that ruined her life
represented the abuse that the motherland received from her colonizers.
Basilio
An acolyte tasked to ring the church bells for the Angelus, he faced the dread of
losing his younger brother and the descent of his mother into insanity. At the end of the
novel, Elías wished Basilio to bury him by burning in exchange for a chest that he uses for
his education as revealed in the following novel.
Crispin
He is a sacristan who had been accused of stealing two gold pieces by the senior
sacristan. Crispin represents the innocents who have been wrongly accused of the crime
they did not commit. The injustice they suffered under the hands of the authorities during
their time were silenced by their deaths and the cover-ups that follow it.
Cabesang Tales
A former farmer who was industrious and patient. He experienced struggles in
obtaining ownership of the land he worked hard on. Became driven to irrationality by
circumstances that reveal the roots of agrarian malaise in the country.
Tano
He is the son of Cabesang Tales. Conscripted into military service in the Carolinas
where he is so alienated and confused by physical and moral distress that he comes home
in a state of shock.

The Undesirables
These are characters that portray the pervading social cancer in the novels of
Rizal. Capitan Tiago
Capitan Tiago was a typical character during the time of Jose Rizal. He is a rich
native-born Filipino who rubbed elbows with the powers that be during that time. He
wanted to make sure that Maria Clara will be married to an affluent man with ample
social capital and quickly abandoned his support to Ibarra when the friars disgraced the
latter’s name.
He symbolizes the rich Filipinos who oppress their fellow countrymen in
exchange for the influence and the riches that they might gain from their powerful
associations.
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Perhaps he always tried to maintain his respectability to compensate for the dishonored
self-brought about by his wife's connection to Damaso.
Doña Victorina de los Reyes de Espadaña
Doña Victorina is a character that focuses on her image to look beautiful and
socialite yet, in reality, have a distorted view of her identity and a social climber. She is
the classic depiction of “colonial mentality” which believed that foreign-related things
are superior and everything that connects with indigenous are inferior.
Don Tiburcio de Espadaña
The husband of Doña Victorina, who pretended as a doctor but has no training
related to medicine. Due to his wife’s advice, he targeted well-respected patients and get
exorbitant amounts of money. He is the depiction of the ignorant Spaniard who blindly
follows his superior despite the harm it might cause his victims.
Doña Consolacion
She is an older Filipina woman married to the ensign. Known for her brutality and
made many of the ensign’s decisions. She even encouraged his husband to take action
against Father Salvi to assert his dominance. She oftentimes pretends to forget her native
language despite having a very bad Spanish language capability. Her character portrayed
the Filipinos who rejected their own nationality to make herself more worthy of respect
than she actually is.
Father Salvi
He is a cunning man who uses his religious stature for political influence,
benefitting both the church and himself. He often asserts his influence by attacking his
enemies’ back. He is the depiction of the lustful and power-driven people who hide under
their religious identity.

ANALYSIS
Noli Me Tangere is one of the greatest works of Rizal. This novel paved way to
expose the oppression and brutalities of the Spaniards during his times. The novel became
an exposé of the corrupt people who have made religion as an instrument for gaining
power and take control of the ignorant and innocent Filipinos. Although the novel focuses
on the discrimination and the indifference of the Spaniards to the Filipinos, Rizal became
transparent on the flaws of some fellow countrymen. He included a depiction of the
hypocrisy of some Filipinos who called themselves religious; the ignorant servility to
wealthy and powerful Spanish officials to maintain their high status; and the indignity of
dissociating themselves from their origin – being a Filipino.
Rizal as an objective man as he is, he balanced the national portrait by highlighting
the values of his unspoiled fellow countrymen. This includes the modesty and devotion of
Filipino women; the hospitality of the Filipino families; a deep sense of gratitude; and the
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devotion of their children to their parents and vice versa. More importantly, the novel’s
deepest insight is to call on the Filipinos revive their status as superior to the Spaniards in
our own land; appreciate our own heritage; find our self-worth. It also emphasized the
need for education among our fellowmen; awakens our dedication for the country; and
absorbs some aspects of foreign cultures that would only enhance our native traditions.
Noli Me Tangere is considered to be a romantic and societal novel. Despite the
societal problems and conflicts presented in the novel, it possesses humor, freshness, and
lightness. Thus, it is a work of the heart or a book of feeling. In contrast with El
Filibusterismo that is a book of thought or work of the head. Unlike to Noli, it possesses
hatred, bitterness, sorrow, and violence.
IMPLICATIONS
After the publication of the Noli Me Tangere, it brought enlightenment to many
Filipinos about the oppression experienced by their fellow countrymen. It served as one of
the instruments that awakened the Filipino nationalism leading to the 1896 Philippine
Revolution. This novel also tickled the aspirations of the Filipinos for independence and
encouraged valuing of our identity - as Filipinos.
SUMMARY OF NOLI ME TANGERE
The story begins at a party to welcome Crisóstomo Ibarra back to the Philippines
after seven years of studying in Europe. His father, Don Rafael, passed away shortly
before his return, and Crisóstomo soon learns that he died in prison after accidentally
killing a tax collector and being falsely accused of other crimes by Father Dámaso, the
longtime curate of the church in Crisóstomo’s hometown of San Diego. Crisóstomo
returns to San Diego, and his fiancée, María Clara, joins him there. After the
schoolmaster tells him that Father Dámaso and the new curate, Father Salví, interfere
with his teaching, Crisóstomo decides to build a new modern school in San Diego.
On a picnic with María Clara, Crisóstomo goes on a fishing boat and helps the
pilot, Elías, kill a crocodile. Elías later warns Crisóstomo that there is a plot to murder
him at the ceremony for the laying of the school’s cornerstone, and indeed, as Crisóstomo
is placing mortar for the cornerstone, the derrick holding the stone collapses. Although
Crisóstomo escapes injury, the derrick operator is killed. At a dinner later, Father Dámaso
insults the new school, Filipinos in general, Crisóstomo, and Don Rafael. An enraged
Crisóstomo attacks him, but María Clara stops him from killing the priest. Later her
father breaks off her engagement to Crisóstomo and arranges for her betrothal to a young
Spanish man, Linares.
Father Salví plots with Lucas, the brother of the deceased derrick operator, to
organize a strike on the barracks of the Civil Guard and to convince the attackers that
Crisóstomo is their ringleader. Father Salví then warns the head of the Civil Guard of the
impending assault. When the attack fails, the rebels say that Crisóstomo was their leader,
and he is arrested. Elías helps Crisóstomo escape from prison, and they flee by boat on the
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Pasig River with members of the Civil Guard in pursuit. Elías dives into the river to
distract the pursuers and is mortally wounded. It is reported that Crisóstomo was killed,
and a distraught María Clara insists on entering a convent. (directly lifted from
britannica.com)
 Let us determine how much you have learned from
the lesson.

FILL IN THE BLANKS Directions: Read each statement or question below carefully
and fill in the blank(s) with the correct answer.
1. The Noli Me Tangere is a novel written by José Rizal which served as an eye
opener and wake up call to the ____.
2. The _____________ cover conveys a fresh start for the Philippines and
Filipinos with many trace of symbols from the events and situations. 3. The Noli
me Tangere is the first novel written by Dr. José P. Rizal in 1887 and published in
_____________.
4. Jose Rizal inspiration to write the Noli Me Tangere novel was the book of
“_____________”.
5. The missing chapter of the novel entitled _____________.
6. The character ________represents the common Filipino who is not only aware
of the injustices done to their countrymen but would also like to deliver them
from their oppressors.
7. There are about ____ chapters in the novel.
8. He is the main character in Noli Me Tangere _______________. 9. The
English version of the Noli Me Tangere is __________________ 10. In the
cover of Noli Me Tangeree novel the symbol for the Sihouette of a Filipina
belived to be _________ or as the “Inang
Bayan”.

Take time to breath, digest, reflect and analyze before

answering.

1. Present a skit show casing a theme presented in the Noli (Example: comparison of
women in the nineteenth century and in the present social change; colonization;
church ministers; social hierarchy; patriotism; social reform).
2. Divide the class into groups and have each group draw the family tree of
Crisostomo Ibarra. Have each group present in class and discuss: What were the
changes from one generation to the next? What do these changes suggest about the
creoles in the Philippines?
3. Write an essay with the aim of addressing the questions:
a. What are the anti-modem aspects of colonial society portrayed in Noli Me
Tangere?
b. Why can modernity be considered as the central problem of Rizal’s novel?

References:
Almario, Virgilio. Si Rizal Nobelista. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press, 2008
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Anderson, Benedict. Why Counting Counts: A Study of Forms of Consciousness and Problems of Language in Noli
Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. Quezon City; Ateneo de Manila University Press, 2008
Constantino, Renato. “Our task: to make Rizal obsolete” in This Week, Manila Chronicle (14 June 1959) Daroy,
Petrolino. Rizal contrary essays. Quezon City Books: Guro Books, 1968
Hau, Caroline S. “Introduction” in Necessary Fictions: Philippine Literature and the Nation, 1946- 1980. Quezon
City: Ateneo de Manila University
Press, 2000
Rizal, Jose. Noli Me Tangere. Trans. Virgilio Almario or Soledad Maximo Locsin

NAME:___________________________________ DATE:__________________
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COURESE/ YEAR/SECTION:________________ EXPLORE IT OUT 5

COOKING IT UP WITH NOLI
Ambeth Ocampo, in his bestselling book, Rizal Without the Overcoat, wondered if
José Rizal’s novel Noli Me Tangere could have been a cookbook. Jose Rizal used food as
a tool for social commentary. He used it to emphasize the disparity between rich and poor,
the powerful and the powerless. Below are some of the recipes of mentioned in particular
chapters. Make a short video clip demonstrating how to cook it while discussing
something about Noli Me Tangere. Don’t forget to include your analysis regarding what
dish really wants to project or symbolize. Upload this on your social media.
Sisa’s Salad o 50 grams of paayap or black-eyed peas

Ingredients:
o 20 pieces of pako (fiddlehead fern) o
1 ampalaya
o 1 tablespoon garlic, chopped
o 1 eggplant
o 4 to 5 cups water
o 1 patola
o 1/2 cup squash, sliced (may use green papaya
o 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
as alternative)
o 1 tablespoon olive oil
o 2 cups squash tops and flowers
o 1 tomato, sliced
o 1 tablespoon patis or fish sauce
1 hard-boiled egg, sliced o salt, to taste

Tinola de Damaso

Ingredients:
o 2 whole chickens, cut (include one neck for
Padre Damaso)
o oil for frying
o 100 grams chicken liver
o 100 grams chicken gizzard
o 2 tablespoons ginger, julienned
o
Sinigang ni Andeng

Ingredients:
o 1 medium hito or catfish
o Hugas bigas or rice water
o 3 tomatoes, sliced
o 1 onion, sliced
o 10 kamias, mashed (may use miso as an
alternative souring flavor)
o 1/4 kilo of squash tops and flowers
o 1 long green pepper
o 50 grams of snow peas