Chapter 4

Nationalism in the novels

 NOLI ME TANGERE

Ideas that came up into writing Noli

• Uncle tom’s Cabin.
-A novel written by Harriet beecher stowe.
• Rizal’s Proposal.
-On January 2, 1884, a meeting was held at the paterno’s residence in
Madrid and Rizal made a proposal on writing a novel showing the current
situation of their country.
-pedro, maxino and Antonio Paterno, Graciano Lopez Jaena, Evaristo
Aguirre, Eduardo de Lete, Julio Lorente, Melecio Giguerora, and Valentin
Ventura all agreed on his proposal.
Origin of the Novel’s title
- noli me tangere is a latin phrase that Rizal took from the bible meaning
“touch me not”.

Writing the novel

- Dr. Jose P Rizal wrote the first half of noli me tangere in Madrid, Spain
from 1884-1889 while studying for medicine.
-he wrote the second half of Noli me tangere from time-to-time in Paris.
-Rizal finished the novel in Berlin, Germany on December 1886.

Publication History
-rizal feared the novel might not be printed. He had been struggling
financial constraints that time and thought it would be hard to pursue
printing the novel.
- Noli me Tangere was published on March 21, 1887.
- the Novel was originally written in Spanish language.
Berliner Buchdruckerei – Actien – Gesselschaft, Setzerinnen – Schedule
De Lette Vereins - The cheapest publisher in berlin that rizal found to
print his novel.

• To defend Filipino people from foreign accusations of

foolishness and lack of knowledge.
• To expose the Cruelties, graft, and corruption of the false
government at honestly show the wrongdoings of Filipino that
led to further failure.
• To show how the Filipino people lives during Spanish colonial
period and the cries and woes of his countrymen to against
abusive officials.
• To discuss what religion and beliefs can really do to everyday
lives.
 Social Impact of The novel and controversies
•Noli me tangere was considered to be one of the instruments that initiated Filipino nationalism that Led to 1896 Philippine Revolution.
•Noli was originally in Spanish, so the likelihood that Spanish authorities will read it first is very high.
•Copies of books were redirected to churches, many have been destroyed, many anti-noli writers came into the picture, and catholic leaders in the Philippines that time regarded the
book as heretical, while Spanish colonial authorities declared it as subversive and against the government.
•Impact also includes the expulsion of Rizal’s clan in Calamba, Laguna. Extradition cases were filed against him .
Anti-noli
• Many Spanish officials, fiars and church persons were against
the noli me tangere.
• Father Salvador font was the one responsible for prohibiting the
noli me tangere’s reproduction and circulation.
• Faher jose rodriguez,superior of Guadalupe, published a writing
entitled “Cuestiones de sumo interes” (katanungan ng Dakilang
Interes) to confront Rizal’s Noli. His copies of the book were sold
and distributed in the church after the mass. Many Filipinos
were force to buy thought they don’t believe what the author
said in his writings
Pro-noli
• Many Filipinos were convinced and approved with the Noli,
even great historians, doctor, poets, and church person.
• Reverent vicente Garcia, a catholic Filipino scholar and
theology of manila cathedral, made a book, with the
penname of Justo Desiderio Magalang, confronting the
statement of Father Rodriguez about the Noli Me Tangere.
• Using the penname “Dolores Manapat”, Marcelo H. del pilar
made a book, entitled “calingat Cayo” (maging madulas
katulad ng igat), that praises Rizal’s noli.
 Major characters
Crisostomo Ibarra
• juan Crisostomo Ibarramedia y magsali, commonly reffered to the
novel as Ibarra or Crisostomo.
• the progonist of the story.
• son of Filipino businessman, Don Rafael Ibarra.
• maria clara’s fiancé.

Maria Clara
• Maria Clara de los Santos y Alba, commonly referred to as a Maria
clara.
• the most beautiful and widely celebrated girl in San Deigo.
• she was raised by Capitan Tiago and an illegitimate daughter of
Father Damasco
• Ibarra’s fiancé.
Capitan Tiago
• Don Santiago de los Santos, known by his nickname Tiago and
political title Capitan Tiago.
• Filipino Business and the Capeza de barangay or head of
barangay of the town of San Diego.
• Also known as Father of Maria Clara.

Padre Damasco
• Damasco Verdolagas or Padre Damasco is a francisian friar and
the former parish curate of San Diego.
• Best known as a notorious character.

Elias
• Ibarra’s mysterious friend and ally.
Pilosopong Tacio
filosofo Tacio, known by Tagilized name Pilosopo tasyo
A seeking for reforms from the government.
His full name is only known as Don Anastasio.

Doña Victoria
Doña Victoria de los Reyes de Espedaña, commonly known
as Doña Victoria
An ambitious Filipina who classifies herself as Spanish
and mimic Spanish laies by putting on heavy make-up.
Sisa, Crispin, and Basilio

Narcissa or sisa- the deranged mother of Basilio and Crispin.

Crispin- Sisa’s 7-years old son

-An altar boy and was unjustly acused of stealing money
from church

Basilio- Sisa’s 10-years-old son.

-An assistant tasked to ring the church bells for the Angelus
-he faced the dread of losing his younger brother and the
decent of his mother.
Other Characters
Padre hernando de la Sibyla
- A dominant friar
- He is described as a described as a short and has a fair skin.
- He is instructed by an old priest in his order to watch Crisostomo
Ibarra.

Padre Bernardo Salvi

-The Franciscan curate of San Diego, secrectly harboring lust for maria
clara.
-He is described to be very thin and sickly.

El Alferez or Alperes
-chief of the Guardia Civil
-Mortal enemy of the priest for the power in San Diego and husband of
Doña Consolacion.
Doña Consolacion
-Wife of the Alferez
-A former laundrywomen who passes herself as Peninsular; best
remembered for her abusive treatment of sisa.

Don Tiburcio de Espadaña

-Spanish Quack Doctor who is limp and submissive to his wife,
Doña Victoria.

Teniente Guevare
- A closed friend of Don Rafael Ibarra.

Alfonso Linares
- A distant nephew of Tiburcio de Espanada
- the would-be fiancé of Maria Clara.
Tia Isabel
- Capitan Tiago’s cousin, who raised Maria Clara.

Governor General
- unnamed person in the novel.
- The most powerful official in the Philippines

Don Filipo Lino

- Vice mayor of the town of San Diego
- Leader of the Liberals.
Padre Manuel Martin
- the linguist curate of a nearby town who delivers the
sermon during San Diego’s fiesta.

Don Rafael Ibarra

- Father of Crisostomo Ibarra.
- The richest man in San Diego
- The most virtuous and generous.

Doña Pia Alba

- Wife of Capitan Tiago and Mother of Maria Clara.
- She died giving birth to her daughter.
- She was raped by damasco so she coud bear a child.
Summary Of The Novels; Noli Me Tangere
 EL FILIBUSTERISMO
 El Filibusterismo was dedicated to the three martyrs (GOMBURZA)
 It is the continuation of Noli Me Tangere, but El Filibusterismo it is more
intense and tragic.

Brief History
 Rizal started writing the novel when he was in calamba aguna during his
first homecoming.
 On February 1882 he went to brussels to continue his writing.
 VAN LOO F MEYER at Viaanderin Street is the book’s publisher
 Rizal pawned his jewels to sustain the printing cost.
 Valentine Ventura lend Rizal some money for the printing of El
filibusterismo.
 The publishing temporarily stopped due to financial constrains.
 The foreword and warning is not included.
 It has 39 chapters
 Characters:
Simoun Basilio
• Chrisostomo Ibarra disguised • Student of medicine
as a wealthy jewelry who • Juli’s boyfriend.
would soon start a revolution. • Eldest son of Sisa.

Isagani Kadesang Tales

• poet and basilio’s best friend. • A former cabeza de barangay
• Portrayed as emotional and who resurfaced as the feared
reactive. Luzon bandit matanglawin.
• Paulita’s boyfriend before
being dumped for fellow
student.
Tandang Tales
 father of kabesang tales whos was unknowingly shot by his own
grandson.
He raised basilio when Sisa Died.

Ben Zaybz
 Reporter

Placido Penitente
 a student who lost his desire in studying due to financial issues.

Padre Fernandez
• Dominician friar.
Friend of Isagani

Padre Salvi
• Franciscan frair formely assigned to San Diego.
Don custodio
• Famous journalist who asked by the students about his decision for
the academia de castellano.

Padre Irene
• One who helps youth in building an academy for Spanish.

Macaraig
• Rich student who actively fights for the academy for Spanish language
but soon disappeared due to financial reasons.

Senondoval
• Spanish officials who agreed on what the students are fighting for.

Donya Vicotia
• Disguises as a European but is a natuve Filipina
• Aunt of Paulita.
Paulita Gomez
• Girlfriend of Isagani but at the end married Juanito
Palaez

Quiroga
• Businessman

Juli
• Daughter of Kabesang Tales
• Girlfriend of Basilio

Hermana Penchang
• Rich and prayerful woman
Ginoong Leedss
• Mysterious American who performs at the carnival.

Pepay
• Dancer who was known to be Don Custodio’s best
friend.

Paciano Gomez
• Brother of Paulita.

Don Tiburcio
• Husband of Donya Victoria
Summary Of The Novels
 Symolism in the Character of Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo

 The two novels of Rizal, Noli Me Tangere and El

filibusterismo, played a great role on the lives of the filipinos
during the Spanish regime because it stimulate them to fight
for our country.
Character of two famous novels:
Crisostomo Ibarra/Simoun
Crisostomo Ibarra who was reffed to the novel as the
protagonist was claimed as Rizal’s reflection.

Maria Clara
Maria Clara was ibarra’s beloved girlfriend was believe to be a
represantion of the Philippines beautiful, soon to
colonized/adopted, and in a specific chapter of Noli, unknown
if still dead or live due to her sufferings.

Capitan Tiago
Capitan tiago who was unknown to be the father of maria
clara symbolizes the Filipino people during the spanish
regime- heads/owners of the country, rich, good catholics, but
since never attended school, ended up being a domestic helper
of the colonizer.
Padre Damasco
Padre Damasco is a represantion of Spanish priest with a
notorious character who speak with harsh words.

Elias
Elias who is Ibarra’s mysterious friend and ally.
Represent the filipinos who want to revolutionize the country
and to be a freed from Spanish oppression.

Pilosopong Tacio
Is a represantion of the Filipinos who seeks for reforms from
the government
Doña Victoria de los Reyes de Espedaña, commonly known as the Doña Victoria, represents
the ambitious filipinas whos classifies themselves as a Spanish and mimics Spanish ladies by
putting on heavy make up.
•her character also represent as social climbers on the society.

Sisa, Crispin and Basilio

Sisa, Crispin and Basilio represent a Filipino family persecuted by the Spanish authorities.

Placido Penitente
Represents the Filipino students who lost their desire in studying due to financial issues.

Padre Fernandez
A represantion of Spanish friars who became loyal friends with Filipinos.