Hazel L.

Calitis
BS-Psych 3A

ACTIVITY 1

Find a literary work that is still being used by Filipinos because it has made a significant
contribution not only to our country but also to other countries. Provide a title and summary
and answer the following questions.

“Noli Me Tangere”
Jose P. Rizal

Written in Spanish and published in 1887, José Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere played a crucial role
in the political history of the Philippines. Drawing from experience, the conventions of the
nineteenth-century novel, and the ideals of European liberalism, Rizal offered up a devastating
critique of a society under Spanish colonial rule. This novel has a lot of symbolism and real-life
events that opened the eyes of the Filipino people during the Spanish colonization to start the
revolution and overthrow the Spanish colonizers. Every character in Noli Me Tangere has a role
that depicts different roles in Philippine society to fight for the freedom of the country.

Brief Summary:

Noli Me Tángere, which translates to "Touch Me Not", is a satirical novel that exposes the social
injustices and corruption of the Spanish colonial government in the Philippines during the 19th
century. The story follows Crisóstomo Ibarra, a wealthy Filipino who returns to his homeland
after studying in Europe. He is soon confronted with the harsh realities of his country, where
the Spanish authorities abuse their power and the Catholic Church wields immense influence.
Ibarra falls in love with María Clara, a beautiful mestiza woman, but their relationship is
forbidden due to societal pressures. As Ibarra fights for justice and equality, he faces increasing
persecution from the authorities, ultimately leading to his tragic downfall.

Detailed Summary:

Juan Crisóstomo Ibarra y Magsalin, commonly referred to as Ibarra, has been studying in Europe
for the past seven years. As he arrives back in the Philippines, his friend, Captain Tiago, hosts
a reunion dinner. During dinner, Father Dámaso, who Ibarra thought was friends with his father,
treats him badly, which surprises Ibarra. As Ibarra is walking home from the dinner, another
family friend, Señor Guevara, follows him and tells him that his father died in prison after a
campaign of slander against him and that Father Dámaso had a hand in his death. Ibarra is
shocked, but unsure of what to do. He goes to visit his old lover, Maria Clara, but as Maria
mentions Ibarra’s family, Ibarra is put off.

Instead of seeking revenge, Ibarra tries to follow his father’s footsteps of peace. After meeting
with a schoolmaster who knew his father, he plans on establishing a public school to help his
hometown. The schoolmaster warns him that Father Dámaso meddles in the school system,
Hazel L. Calitis
BS-Psych 3A

preventing students from learning Spanish and demanding that he beat the students. Ibarra
pitches the idea of the school to town officials, pretending that he wants to work with them on
it, and they agree.

Meanwhile, two young boys, Crispín and Basilio, work as sextons to support their poor mother,
Sisa, who is abused by their father. When Crispín is falsely accused of theft, the brothers must
work even more. Crispín protests and is severely beaten, while Basilio escapes. He returns the
next day to look for his brother, but can't find him. Sisa looks for both her sons, losing her mind
as she wanders the area in search of them. Ibarra goes to his father’s grave, seeking peace. He
is shocked to discover that his father’s corpse was removed and supposedly put into a Chinese
cemetery at the order of the town's curate, Father Dámaso.

During the town's festivities, Ibarra and the officials plan to celebrate the new school, hoping
to bless it after a sermon by Father Dámaso. During the sermon, a mysterious man named Elías
approaches Ibarra, warning him of a plot to kill him. That night, Father Dámaso invites himself
to a dinner Ibarra is hosting. He insults both indigenous Filipinos and Ibarra’s father specifically.
Ibarra punches Father Dámaso, but before he can kill him, he is stopped by María Clara.

Ibarra is excommunicated, and María Clara falls ill, she is then re-engaged with a new man after
her spineless father calls off her wedding to Ibarra. Meanwhile, the Captain-General manages
to lift Ibarra's ex-communication, angering the clergy. Ibarra continues working on the school,
and Father Salvi, who is in love with María Clara, plots with Lucas, to frame Ibarra for a rebellion
by organizing people with grievances against the colonial government and telling them that
Ibarra is leading the revolt. Right before the attack happens, Father Salvi warns everyone,
claiming someone told him about it in confession.

Ibarra is thrown into prison, having been found guilty based on a letter he wrote to María Clara
before leaving for Europe years ago. Again, Elías rescues him, breaking him out of prison and
taking him to María Clara. She apologizes to Ibarra and explains that she gave Father Salvi the
letter that led to Ibarra being found guilty because he blackmailed her. Elías and Ibarra row
away, but they quickly realize they're being followed by another boat, which will soon catch up.
Elías jumps off the boat to confuse their pursuers, who think he is Ibarra, and try to shoot him
while the real Ibarra escapes. They appear to kill him, but they never see his body.

María Clara tells Father Dámaso that she can't marry Linares, the man she is now engaged to
and threatens to commit suicide if she is not allowed to enter a convent. On Christmas Eve,
Basilio wanders away from the cabin where he has been staying with an adoptive family and
looks for Sisa, his mother. He finds her, but she doesn't recognize him and runs away. Finally,
he catches her and she faints, she dies of shock, having finally recognized him. Elías appears,
telling Basilio that he is about to die, and asks Basilio to put his body with Sisa's on a funeral
pyre.
Hazel L. Calitis
BS-Psych 3A

1. Why is it important?
Noli Me Tángere is considered a landmark work in Philippine literature. It played a crucial
role in awakening the national consciousness of the Filipino people and inspiring the fight
for independence from Spanish rule. It remains an essential instrument for understanding
the societal challenges the nation had to endure during the Spanish colonial period. The
novel's themes of oppression, corruption, and the struggle for justice continue to resonate
with readers around the world, making it a valuable contribution to global literature.

2. What has been its contribution to the country?

Jose Rizal's "Noli Me Tangere" wasn't just a novel, it was a spark that ignited Filipino hearts.
Through its rich portrayal of colonial injustices, it awakened a dormant sense of national
identity and unity. Like a mirror reflecting societal problems, the book exposed abuse of
power, religious hypocrisy, and the difficulty of the oppressed. This ignited a desire for
change, paving the way for the Philippine Revolution and ultimately, independence. Though
Rizal didn't advocate absolute rebellion, his words resonated deeply, becoming a beacon for
freedom that continues to inspire Filipinos today. In essence, "Noli Me Tangere" wasn't just
a story, it was a call to action that forever altered the course of Philippine history.

3. What benefits does it bring to the new generation?

Even though Noli Me Tangere was written over a century ago, its relevance and benefits
extend far beyond its historical context, reaching and impacting the new generation in
several ways: firstly, it promotes understanding in history, it provides context for the present
and fostering a deeper understanding in the issues. In that way, historical awareness can
guide Filipinos decisions and actions in the future. Also, this literary work fosters our national
identity as being Filipinos and sparks critical thinking especially in youths. By exposing
societal injustices and flaws, it encourages the new generation to to question and think
critically about the system being socially responsible, promoting empathy and compassion
to fellow Filipinos who are being oppressed and fight for justice. It also highlights the
importance of education, through the transformative power of knowledge, it inspired the
new generation to pursue learning and self-improvement contributing to move empowered
society. Lastly, it promotes nationalism and patriotism through loving the country and
fighting for what is right. Noli Me Tangere continue to resonate with the new generation,
offering valuable lessons and shaping their outlook on life and their role in society.