RIZAL’S SECERET MISSION

To observe keenly the life and culture, languages and

costumes, industries and commerce, and
governments and laws of the European nations order
to prepare himself in the mighty task of liberating his
oppressed people from Spanish tyranny.

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 IDEA OF WRITING A NOVEL ON THE PHILIPPINES

“Uncle Tom’s Cabin” – authored by Harriet Beecher

Stowe.

-Portrays the brutalities of American slave-owners and

pathetic conditions of the unfortunate Negro slaves.

January 2, 1884 – Rizal proposed the writing of a

novel about the Philippines at the Paterno’s residence
in Madrid.

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THOSE PRESENT WERE:

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 THE WRITING OF THE NOLI

1884 – finished about one half of the novel in Madrid.

1885 – after studying at Central University of Madrid,

he finished one half of the second half.

- Finished the last fourth of the novel in Germany.

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April-June, 1886 – wrote the last few chapters of Noli
in Wilhelsfeld.

February 1886 – Rizal made the final revisions on the

manuscript of the Noli in Berlin.

- He was depressed during this time and almost threw

the novel into the fire.

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 VIOLA – THE SAVIOR OF NOLI

• Dr. Maximo Viola – scion of a rich family of San

Miguel, Bulacan.
- wrote a telegram to Rizal stating that he would
come to Berlin.
- was shocked to find Rizal living in poverty.
- financed the printing of Noli.

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Rizal deleted passages in his manuscript, including a
whole chapter, “Elias and Salome,” to save printing
expenses.

February 21, 1887 – Rizal found a printing shop

named “Berliner Buchdruckrei-Action-
Gesselschaft,”with the lowest rate of 300 pesos for
2,000 copies of the novel.

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 RIZAL SUSPECTED AS FRENCH SPY

Chief police of Berlin – paid a sudden visit to Rizal’s

boarding house requesting to see his passport.

-gave Rizal 4 days to comply with the document,

otherwise he would be departed.

Rizal does not have a passport because during that

time, it was possible to travel without a passport.

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RIZAL SUSPECTED AS FRENCH SPY

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 PRINTING OF THE NOLI FINISHED

March 21, 1887 – Noli Me Tangere came of the press.

- sent the first copies of the printed novel to his

intimate friends; Blumentritt, Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor,
G. Lopez-Jaena, Mariano Ponce, and Felix R. Hidago.

March 29, 1887 – gave Viola the galley proofs of the

Noli carefully rolled with the pen that he used in writing
it.

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 THE TITLE OF THE NOVEL

“Touch Me Not” – in Latin

March 5, 1887 – Rizal wrote to Felix Hidalgo stating
the origin of the title.

“Noli Me Tangere” are words taken from the Gospel of

St. Luke which signifies, “do not touch me.”

Rizal made a mistake. It should be the Gospel of St.

John. (Chapter 20, Verses 13-17)

Noli contains 63 chapters and an epilogue.

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 THE “NOLI” BASED ON TRUTH

Unlike many literary works, it was a true story of the

Philippine conditions during the last decades of the
Spanish rule.

The places, the characters, and situations really

existed.

“I can prove them” – Rizal said.

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THE CHARACTERS:

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 RIZAL’S FRIENDS PRAISED THE NOLI

Blumetritt’s Letter – was the most significant

congratulatory letter Rizal received.

Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor – a Filipino patriot and lawyer

who had been exiled due to his complicity in the
Cavite Mutiny of 1972.

- wrote to Rizal on May 3, 1887 in London.

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Class Activity

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