NOLI ME TANGERE

Lesson 2
Unit IV
 Objectives

1. Explain the lesson learned from the great novel “Noli Me

Tangere” with that of the present situation in the
Philippines.
2. Appraise important characters in the novel and what they
represent.
3. Appraise how El Filibusterismo contributed to the national
consciousness and the revolution.
4. Compare and contrast El Filibusterismo and Noli Me
Tangere
5. Apply the different virtues and values learned in the novel
in real-life situations.
6. Value the role of the youth in the development and future
of the society.
 The Writing of the Novel
• Expose the societal ills of the Philippines
• Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin

- Rizal's idea stemmed from dissatisfaction with what was

happening in the Philippines

- January 2, 1884 in Madrid, Rizal proposed co-writing with

fellow Filipinos, but they didn't contribute
- Pedro, Maximino and Antonio Paterno,Graciano López Jaena,
Evaristo Aguirre, Eduardo de Lete, Julio Llorente and Valentin
Ventura.

- Decision to write the novel alone due to lack of commitment

from others
The Writing of the Novel

• Started in Madrid, continued in Paris, finalized in

Berlin in 1886

• "Noli Me Tangere" meaning "Touch me not" from

Gospel of Saint John 20:17
• Social Cancer

• Awaken nationalism among Filipinos

 Introduction to Noli Me Tangere

• Written in Spanish published in 1887

• Centers around Crisostomo Ibarra, returning to the Philippines

with ideas for reform
• Faced with corrupt clergy and indifferent Spanish
administration
• Colonial oppression, societal injustice, struggle for reform

• Padre Damaso and Padre Salvi: Represent corrupt clergy

• Maria Clara: Love interest, caught in family secrets
• Elias: Symbolizes resistance against oppression
 Introduction to Noli Me Tangere
• Contributed to the awakening of Filipino nationalism

• Recognized as a seminal work in Philippine literature

• Addresses universal themes of oppression and resistance

• “suffering country in a work that speaks eloquently not just to

Filipinos but to all who have endured or witnessed oppression”.

• "Noli Me Tangere" remains a poignant portrayal of societal

struggles

• Encourages reflection on the impact of colonialism and the

quest for justice
 Jose Rizal

• June 19, 1861

• Upper-class Filipino
• Mother - Teodora Alonso, highly educated
• Polymath, doctor, fencer, essayist, novelist

• Spanish Rule started since 1565

• Colonial Conditions: Unresponsive, cruel, with powerful
religious establishment same as the state
• International trading fueled National consciousness
• The 1872 Cavite Mutiny served as inspiration for nationalist
sentiments
NOLI ME TANGERE
• Educated: Ateneo de Manila, University of Santo Tomas,
Spain, Paris, Heidelberg
• Leading figure in the Propaganda Movement
• Advocacy: Various reforms through La Solidaridad
newspaper
• Dominance of powerful friars

• "Noli Me Tangere" (1887) and "El Filibusterismo" (1891)

• Critique of clerical abuse and colonial rule
• Banned in the Philippines, intensified hatred from friars

• Founded La Liga Filipina, engaged in scientific research and

public works
• Involved with Josephine Bracken, his last romantic
involvement
 Jose Rizal

• Refused to join Katipunan, believed time was

not ripe
• Trial and Execution: Arrested on false charges,
executed on December 30, 1896
• Left behind "Mi último adiós" (My Last Farewell)

• Intensified fight against Spanish rule

• Described as the "First Filipino"
SUMMARY OF NOLI ME TANGERE

• Young and idealistic Juan Crisostomo Ibarra returns home

from Europe
• Endeavors for reform, primarily in education, to eliminate
poverty and improve lives
• Excommunication, accusation of insurrection, betrayal,
escape, and tragic fate
 Characters and Symbolisms in the novel ‘Noli Me Tangere’

1. Ibarra (Crisostomo Ibarra Y Magsalin)

▪ Liberal European-educated Filipino. He is a loyal son,
courageous, civic-minded, liberty-loving and patriotic.
▪ Represents the Filipino culture which was being forged in
Europe among young students whom Rizal endeavored to
get involved in the national movement.
▪ Represents the idea of Liberalism.
▪ Jose Rizal

2. The Couple Capitan Tiago and Doña Pia

▪ Represented the Spanish and the Philippines without a
promising future.
 Characters and Symbolisms in the novel ‘Noli Me Tangere’

3. Elias
▪ humble, courageous, thoughtful and farsighted. He comes
from a family of persecuted.
▪ represents the basic core of the Filipinos which was the
persistent foundation of the pre-Spanish Filipino culture which
survived the onslaught of invasion by the culture which was
brought to the Philippines by the Spaniards – the secular and
the religious.

4. Don Rafael Ibarra

▪ Crisostomo’s father. Represents a rich landlord with a social
conscience because he is a philanthropist. His strict standard
of conduct regulates his actions. His independent views find
opposition in Father Damaso who calls him a heretic and
filibuster.
 Characters and Symbolisms in the novel ‘Noli Me Tangere’

5. Tasio
▪ Called as Pilosopo Tasio. He entertains new ideas which his
generation cannot understand.
▪ represented the Filipino intellectuals who never left the country and
who came under the tutorship of the religious missionary work, but
who, came under the tutorship of the religious institutions, being
prepared for work, had to disengage from this commitment.
▪ Paciano Rizal

6. Kapitan Tiago, Anastacio De Los Santos

▪ Another rich landowner whose wealth makes him an “oligarch”,
represents the Filipino who is subservient to the authorities because his
personal interests must be secured. A religious fanatic, he is at peace
with God, the government and the people.
 Characters and Symbolisms in the novel ‘Noli Me Tangere’

7. Dona Victorina De Los Reyes De Espadana

▪ The paragon of colonial mentality. A pure-blooded Filipina who
disdains what is a Filipino and imitates what is Spanish.

8. Dona Consolacion
▪ The mistress of the Alferez. Another woman who passed herself as
a Peninsular; best remembered for her abusive treatment to Sisa.

9. Maria Clara
▪ Represents a type of Filipino womanhood brought up in the
convent and educated along religious lines. She is beautiful,
charming, pious, faithful lover and self-sacrificing.
▪ She also represents the idea of conservatism.
 Characters and Symbolisms in the novel ‘Noli Me Tangere’

10. Sisa
▪ The mother of Crispin and Basilio. Illustrates the lack of concern of
society by trying to help her solve her problems – the maltreatment
of her two sons and the indignities she suffers which finally drive her
to mental derangement.
11. The Gobernadorcillo
▪ Signifies the nullity, the despotism towards those below and blind
obedience to the caprices of those above. In contrast to his
attitude, we find the teniente mayor, Don Filipo Lino, who represents
dignity, courtesy and probity of the authority.

12. The School Teacher

▪ Personifies the educated individual who dreams of better ways of
making the pupils learn than the method of learning with corporal
punishment.
 Characters and Symbolisms in the novel ‘Noli Me Tangere’

13. Padre Damaso

▪ The old kura paroko of San Diego. Carries the trappings of the dirty
Franciscan, always gross, always tyrannical and constantly
corrupted. The biological father of Maria Clara. He represents the
old missionaries who used their positions to secure and maintain
their power.

14. Padre Salvi

▪ Represents the young missionaries who, instead of introducing
change, followed the footsteps of the old missionaries.
EL FILIBUSTERISMO
Lesson 2
Unit IV
 The Writing of the Novel

• October 1887 during his first homecoming in Calamba.

• Background of threats and oppressions faced by Rizal
and his family due to the Noli and Calamba agrarian
trouble.
• Rizal's continued work on the novel in London in 1888.
• Relocated to Paris and then Brussels for focused writing
amidst fewer distractions and lower living costs.
• Finally, the novel was completed by March 29, 1891, in
Biarritz.
The Writing of the Novel
• Jose Alejandrino looked for a printing press for El
Filibusterismo.
• The F. Meyer van Loo press was chosen for its affordable
rates and willingness to print the book on an installment
basis.
• However, printing was suspended due to Rizal's inability
to provide the required funds.
• Assistance from Valentin Ventura leading to the
completion of printing on September 18, 1891.
• Rizal gave the novel’s original manuscript, pen, and an
autograph printed copy to Ventura.
• In 1925, the manuscript was bought from Ventura by the
Philippine government in the amount of 10,000 pesos
and is now housed in the National Library.
 Filibustero and Gomburza

• Rizal's explanation of the term "filibustero" to Ferdinand Blumentritt,

indicating its subversive connotations.
• Personal recollection of encountering the word during the executions of
Gomburza in 1872.

• subversive, dissident, revolutionary, seditious, insurrectionary, and

treasonous.

• Rizal's dedication of El Filibusterismo to the memory of Gomburza, Filipino

patriotic priests unjustly accused of being filibustero.
• Declaration of their innocence and Rizal's commitment to combating
injustice.
 Filibustero and Gomburza

The dedication partly reads:

"To the memory of the priests, Don Mariano Gomez (85 years
old), Jose Burgos (30 years old), and Don Jacinto Zamora (35
years old). Executed in the Bagumbayan Field on the 28th of
February, 1872 ... I have the right to dedicate my work to you as
victims of the evil which I undertake to combat.” Filibusterismo,
2013)
Filibustero and Gomburza
• There are factual inaccuracies in Rizal's dedication regarding
the ages and execution date of the priests.
• Speculation on Rizal's historical accuracy and memory
limitations.

• During their martyrdom on the 17th (not 28th) of February.

1872, Gomez was then 73 (not 85), Burgos was 35 (not 30) and
Zamora was 37 (not 35)

• Recapitulation of the significance of El Filibusterismo in

Philippine history and literature.
• Acknowledgment of Rizal's enduring legacy and
contributions to nationalist movements.
 El Filibusterismo: A Closer Look

Sequel to Noli Me Tangere

• El Filibusterismo as the second and final novel completed by
José Rizal.

• Description of El Filibusterismo as a dark, brooding, and at

times satirical novel of revenge, unfulfilled love, and tragedy.
El Filibusterismo: A Closer Look

Characters in El Filibusterismo
• Juan Crisóstomo Ibarra / Simoun
• Transformation of Ibarra into Simoun, a wealthy and
mysterious jeweler seeking revenge.
• Motivations and actions of Simoun in contrast to the ideals of
Ibarra.

• Basilio: Rise from poverty to become a medical student,

intertwined with the fate of Julí and Cabesang Tales.
• Father Salví, María Clara, Captain Tiago, Doña Victorina, and
other characters from Noli Me Tangere.
 El Filibusterismo: A Closer Look

Simoun's Revolutionary Agenda

• Simoun's desire to incite violence and rebellion against the Spanish
colonial state.
• He hopes to liberate the love of his life, María Clara and the islands
from the tyranny of Spain.
• Manipulative tactics employed by Simoun to achieve his goals.

• University students (Isagani, Peláez, and Makaraig) advocating for

educational reforms, opposed by the friars.
• The students were accused of being behind flyers that call for
rebellion against the state and they were incarcerated.
El Filibusterismo: A Closer Look

Julí and Basilio's Tragic Fates

• Julí's suicide to avoid rape by Father Camorra.
• Basilio's involvement in Simoun's plot after experiencing
personal losses.

Failed Assassination and Unveiling of Simoun True Identity

• Isagani's intervention to prevent Simoun's planned uprising.
• Simoun's revelation and subsequent suicide, leaving behind
a cryptic message to Father Salvi.
• Went to Father Florentino’s residence and committed suicide.
 El Filibusterismo: A Closer Look

Symbolism of Simoun's Jewels

• Interpretation of Simoun's jewels as a metaphor for
the country's potential for change.
• Father Florentino's symbolic act of throwing the
jewels into the sea.
Summary of El Filibusterismo

Simoun's True Identity

• Simoun, initially thought to be an affluent jeweler, is revealed

to be Juan Crisostomo Ibarra from Noli Me Tangere.
• Escaped from death and returned to the Philippines after
many years, becoming influential and seeking revenge.
• Simoun's desire for revenge against Spanish officials and
rescue of Maria Clara.
• Secret plan to stage a revolution, smuggling arms, and
recruiting followers, including Basilio and Kabesang Tales.
 Summary of El Filibusterismo

Alliance and Corruption

• Simoun's alliances with revolutionary groups and encouragement of
corruption and decadence to incite anger among citizens.
• Planned uprising thwarted by news of Maria Clara's death, delaying
Simoun's plans.

Wedding Reception Plot

- Simoun's scheme to plant explosives at a wedding reception to
assassinate government officials and friars.
- Isagani's intervention to prevent the explosion, leading to the
revelation of Simoun's plot.
Summary of El Filibusterismo

Pursuit and Escape

• Simoun hunted by law enforcers after his plot is exposed,
leading to a confrontation with the Guardia Civil.
• Serious injury and escape to seek refuge with Father
Florentino.

Confession and Resolution

• Simoun's confession of his true identity and revenge plan to
Father Florentino.
• Absolution and acceptance of divine will before Simoun's
death, with the priest disposing of Simoun's treasures.