NOLI ME TANGERE which tells everyone that it’s the beginning of the defense
“Touch Me Not” of honors and the start of proving themselves worthy of
JOSE RIZAL
“Noli Me Tangere” is a Latin phrase which means "Touch
Me Not". A phrase which Rizal
got from the bible.
INSPIRATION OF RIZAL IN WRITING THE BOOK
Jose Rizal drew inspiration from various individuals,
events, and ideas in writing “Noli Me Tangere”, like:
 Gomburza
 Leonor Rivera
 Ferdinand Blumentritt,
 Filipino society
 European literature
 Philippine history;
 and his personal experiences.
IS NOLI ME TANGERE A COLLABORATIVE WORK?
-Rizal did not intend to do all of the work; it was supposed to
be a collaborative effort, but the compatriots who were
supposed to collaborate and assist him with the novel did not
write a single word.
PUBLICATION OF NOLI ME TANGERE
 Noli Me Tangere was written by Rizal in
1884 and approved by various authors.
Rizal finished half of the novel in
Madrid, Paris, and Wilhemsfeld.
 The first edition was published in Berlin,
Germany in 1887, with a cost of P300 for
2000 copies. The novel was sent to
various publishers, including Ferdinand
Blumentritt, Dr. Anton Ma. Regidor,
Graciano Lopez Jaena, Mariano Ponce,
and Felix Hidalgo.
CHALLENGES FACED BY RIZAL IN PUBLISHING
THE NOVEL
1. Censorship
The Spanish authorities censored any materials that they
considered subversive, making it difficult for Rizal to get his
work published.
2. Financial Challenges - Jose Rizal had encounter a financial
difficulty in publishing the Noli Me Tangere.
3. Lack of Distribution Networks - The lack of efficient
distribution networks in the Philippines made it difficult for
him to reach potential readers. Rizal was haunted by the fear
that his novel would never find its way into print, that it would
remain unread.
4. Fear of Retribution -He feared that because of the context
of his novel could lead to his arrest and imprisonment by the
Spanish Government.
5. Catholic Church - The novel contained criticisms of the
Church’s role. This put Rizal at odds with powerful religious
authorities who opposed the novel's publication.
SYMBOLS ON THE BOOK COVER AND THEIR
MEANINGS
 UPER TRIANGLE – this part is the representation of
Rizal’s past life.
 LOWER TRIANGLE – this is a representation of
Rizal’s current situation/before his death.
 CROSS/ CRUCIFIX- the dominance of Catholic Church
and its role in the oppression of the Filipino people.
 POMELO BLOSSOM & LAUREL LEAVES –
represents faith, honor, and fidelity.
 SUNFLOWER -represents enlightenment, especially for
the youth.
 MARIA CLARA/INANG BAYAN – represents
resilience, oppression, and nationalism.
 BURNING TORCH – it symbolizes the awakening of
Filipino consciousness about the injustice happening
around them. It's also the reference to the Olympic torch,
victory. It also symbolizes the rise of the revolutionary
movement.
 BAMBOO STALKS – it represents Filipino resiliency
 SHOES – it represents wealth. It is also the footprints left
by friars in teaching Catholicsm.
 HAIRY LEGS – it symbolizes the Legend of the Wolf.
The wolf shape shifts just like how friars hide their true
nature and character.
 RIZAL’S SIGNATURE – it shows that Rizal
experienced and witnessed the ills and abuses that
happened during his time.
 CHAIN – it symbolizes slavery and imprisonment.
 WHIP– represents the cruelties and abuses that were
present during the colonial period.
 FLOGS (Suplina) – it is used for self-flagellation. Just
like the whip, this also symbolizes the cruelties if the
Guardia Civil.
 HELMET OF GUARDIA CIVIL – represents the
arrogance if those in authority.
STORY REPRESENTATION
 “The Social Cancer”, the original title of “Noli Me
Tangere”.
 “Noli Me Tangere” was all about the description of the
Spanish colonization in the Philippines.
 The book was written in Spanish, a sweeping and
passionate unmasking of brutality and corruption of the
Spanish rule in the country.
 It examines how Spaniard’s colonization in the country
allowed the catholic church to dominate and rule the
region.
 It also portrays different aspects of gaining independence,
such as social climbers, abusive power, family devotion,
self-sacrifice, purity and faithfulness.
CHARACTERS IN THE BOOK AND THEIR
REPRESENTATION IN REAL LIFE
CRISTOMO IBARRA (Juan Crisostomo Ibarra y
Magsalin)
 He is depicted as one of the Filipinos who managed to
finish their studies abroad. He had been living abroad for
7 years. Unlike his countrymen, he has a liberal mind,
outspoken and idealistic.
 Crisostomo Ibarra exemplified the vision that Jose Rizal
had aimed for the youth of the Philippines during his
time. Other attribute Ibarra as Rizal’s reflection for
himself.
MARIA CLARA (Maria Clara de los Santos)
 Portrayed as a faithful sweetheart, good friend, and an
obedient daughter. She was portrayed as the ideal woman
during her time.
 Maria Clara symbolizes purity and innocence of sheltered
native woman during the Spanish occupation.
PADRE DAMASO (Padre Damaso Verdolagas)
 He is a Franciscan friar and the former parish curate of
San Diego. He us known as a notorious character who
speaks with harsh words.
 Padre Damaso symbolizes the Spanish friars of Rizal’s
time and is a comment on the Spanish control of the
Philippines.
ELIAS
 He is a former boatman who became one of the most
wanted criminals in San Diego. He is acquainted with the
“tulisans” and in the crook in their town.
 Ellias 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
was said to be the personification of Andres Bonifacio.
PILOSOPO TACIO
 He is one of the major characters in the story. He seeks
reforms from the government and he express his ideals in
paper written in a cryptographic alphabet.
 Tasio symbolizes the learned Filipinos who had once
embraced the culture of the Spanish regime, they
eventually became disenchanted when they return to the
country and observed the stark contrast their countrymen
received from the colonizers
PADRE SALVI
 Has a secret admiration for Maria Clara
 Symbolizes lecherous friars of Rizal’s time
KAPITAN TIAGO (Don Santiago de los Santos)
 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.
 Symbolizes the rich Filipino who oppress their fellow
countrymen in exchange for influence.
DONYA CONCOLACION
 Her adoration of the Spaniards leads her to imitate the
very actions and attitudes of the Spanish women.
 She symbolizes the Filipinos in society who are ashamed
of their race and nationality
DONYA VICTORINA
 An ambitious Filipina who classifies herself as a Spanish
and mimics Spanish ladies by putting on heavy make-up.
 Symbolizes the Filipinos who have a distorted view of
their identity. Everything indigenous is inferior and
everything foreign is superior.
DON TIBURCIO
 The husband of Donya Victorina. He was introduced as
one of the guests of Kapitan Tiago I the latter’s welcome
party for Ibarra.
 Don Tiburcio is a caricature of ignorant Spaniards who
wreaked havoc in the provinces during the colonial era.
His countrymen condone his actions for they do not want
him to become a burden to them.
SISA (Narcisa)
 The typical native wife. She endures her husband’s
beatings and irresponsibility.
 She represents the motherland who was suffering as her
character have suffered with the loss of her children.
BASILIO
 Sisa’s 10-year-old son. An acolyte tasked to ring the
church bell for the angelus.
 He represents the dismissive attitude toward social
problems among the country’s educated youth.
CRISPIN
 Brother of Basilio, is a sacristan who had been accused of
stealing two gold pieces by senior sacristan.
 Crispin represents the innocents who have been wrongly
accused of the crime they did not commit.
SUMMARY
 The story revolves around the life of Crisostomo Ibarra, a
young Filipino who returns to the Philippines after
studying in Europe. He discovers the harsh realities of his
homeland, witnessing corruption, oppression, and
discrimination. Through various characters and their
experiences, Rizal vividly portrays the struggles faced by
Filipinos under Spanish rule
IMPORTANCE OF NOLI ME TANGERE
After publication, Noli me Tangere was
considered to be one of the instruments that
initiated Filipino nationalism leading to the 1896
Philippine Revolution. The novel did not only
awaken sleeping Filipino awareness, but also
established the grounds for aspiring to
independence.
 Noli Me Tangere is a significant novel by Jose
Rizal that serves as an eye-opener and
a significant contribution to the birth of
Philippine nationalism.
 The novel reveals real-life events during
Spanish colonization, such as the power
dynamics between friars and governor-
generals, social issues, injustice, and the
Philippines' backwardness.
 The novel reveals real-life events during Spanish
colonization, such as the power dynamics between friars
and governor-generals, social issues, injustice, and the
Philippines' backwardness.
 The novel reveals real-life events during
Spanish colonization, such as the power
dynamics between friars and governor-
generals, social issues, injustice, and the
Philippines' backwardness.
 Jose Rizal's character, Crisostomo Ibarra, is a
rebellious and wealthy figure who fights for the
Spaniards' freedom.
 Elias, a poor and oppressed Filipino, sacrifices
his life for Crisostomo's escape.
 Doña Victorina represents Filipinos as social
climbers, while Sisa represents the Inang
Bayan, who becomes an outcast due to
Spaniards' ill-treatment.
 Maria Clara represents Filipino women
oppressed and abused by the Spaniards.
 The Novel exposes the enslavement, abuse, and
trampling of human rights of invaders.
 It serves as a reminder of the importance of
economic, education, and secularization in
fostering Filipino nationalism.
 The novel encourages reflection on actions and
beliefs for the country, promoting nationalism
and accepting change.
 It teaches values of wisdom, fighting what is right,
and loving the country.
 Noli Me Tangere is being taught in schools to
empower the youth and prevent repeating
history.
 By understanding and embracing the true
meaning of nationalism, readers can become
catalysts for change and contribute to the
country's flourishing.
CONTRIBUTIONS OF NOLI ME TANGERE
"Noli Me Tangere" is a novel written by Philippine
national hero Jose Rizal in the late 19th century. Noli Me
Tangere was considered to be one of the instruments that
initiated Filipino nationalism leading to the 1896
Philippine Revolution. It played a significant role in
shaping the Philippines modern history and continues to
influence in the country in various ways:
 Inspiration for Nationalism
 Cultural and Social Commentary
 Educational Influence
 Political and Social Movements
 Cultural Legacy