The Life and Works of Jose

Rizal
(Chapter 9-12)

Submitted By: Submitted To:

Instructor

CHAPTER 9
NOLI ME TANGERE, CONTEXT AND CONTENT
 Noli Me Tangere is Jose Rizal’s first novel. It is considered as one of the most
important written outputs by the national hero at the height of his intellectual endeavors in
Europe. In this novel, Rizal mustered his academic acumens as he tapped his knowledge of
various fields and wove a narrative that aimed to represent, if not expose, the realities of
nineteenth century colonial life in the Philippines.
Many appreciate the Noli for its:

 narrative that takes the readers

 through the eyes of its characters
 on a journey of love and deception
 struggles and triumphs
 presents pressing questions about power and social inequalities

The Publication of the Noli

As a sojourner in Europe, Rizal participated in the movement of the ilustrados to utilize

propaganda to campaign for reforms in the Philippines. Utilizing their intellectual prowess, the
ilustrados released various written outputs from news bits, to feature articles, and commentaries.
They also produced creative outputs from satirical pieces to world-class paintings. Within this
artistic and literary collection, Rizal’s exemplary mastery of words was clearly evident in one of
his most celebrated works, his first novel, Noli Me Tangere.
The idea of publishing a book was not alien to Rizal. In a meeting of the ilustrados in
1884, he proposed to write a book project to be done collaboratively with his fellow writers.
Unfortunately, the project did not materialize. He eventually decided to write on his own. He
started work on the project in 1884 and completed it in 1887.
Many of his biographers cite several works that influenced Rizal in writing of the Noli.
One of these are:

 Spolarium- Juan Luna’s painting which depicted the sufferings faced by humanity in the
face of inequalities.
 Uncle Tom’s Cabin- a novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe that dealt with slavery in America

Rizal finished the first half of the novel in Spain, supposedly the other half in France,
then completed the draft in 1886. The novel was published the following year in Germany. Lack
of funds delayed the book’s publication until a fellow ilustrado, Maximo Viola, insisted on
lending him 300 pesos for the printing of the first 2,000 copies. By 1887, Rizal was already
sending out the copies of the Noli to his friends and the book began to take flight.

Motivations behind Writing the Noli

 The title, Noli Me Tangere, had Biblical reference to the Gospel of John in which
Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene and uttered these words: “Touch me not, for
I am not yet ascended to my Father.”
The choice of the title according to Rizal was fitting because he intended to
write about themes that were taboo in the Philippines for centuries; things
that people dared not touch.
Rizal first planned to write his novel in French according to his biographers,
considered to be the language of the intellectuals in Europe at that time.
He, however, shifted to Spanish because he intended to reach out to his
countrymen in the Philippines.
Rizal explained: “I must awake from its slumber the spirit of my country…I must
first propose to my countrymen an example with which they can struggle against
their bad qualities, and afterwards, when they have reformed, many writers
would rise up to present my country to proud Europe” (qtd. In Schumacher, 1991,
p.93).
In the initial pages of the Noli, the dedication titled “A Mi Patria” clearly
articulated Rizal’s purpose for writing the novel.

The project of writing the Noli, as stated, was geared towards exposing the ills of
Philippine colonial society under Spain. Thus, through the passages within the Noli, readers also
get glimpses of how Rizal saw his country.

Plot

The story of the Noli Me Tangere followed the life of Juan Crisostomo Ibarra after he
returned to the Philippines from studying in Europe. The novel opened with Capitan Tiago
preparing a homecoming gathering for the young ilustrado. Throughout the pages of the novel,
the characters could be seen navigating the complex realities of colonial Philippines.
Ibarra was shown to be rekindling links with his betrothed Maria Clara. But not
everything was fine and dandy for Ibarra. Upon his return, he learned about the ills that plagued
his town as well as the abuses of the friars to which his late father fell victim to. Ibarra found an
antagonist in Padre Damaso, the former curate of San Diego who ordered that the corpse of his
father be exhumed and reburied in the Chinese cemetery.
Despite these personal travails, Ibarra persevered to fulfill the plan of building a school in
San Diego, staying true to his belief that education was crucial for his nation’s progress. Ibarra
almost got killed had it not for Elias, a boatman, who saved him. Elias previously cautioned
Ibarra about his actions that could anger the friars. After the incident, Ibarra organized a
luncheon. Here, another confrontation occurred between Ibarra and Damaso who attended the
luncheon uninvited. Damaso, in an act of revenge, persuaded Capitan Tiago, the father of Maria
Clara, to not allow his daughter to marry Ibarra.
After some time, a revolt was blamed on Ibarra, which caused his incarceration. With the
help of Elias, he escaped and went to see Maria Clara who was soon marrying the man her father
chose for her. In a heartbreaking confrontation, Ibarra and Maria Clara exchanged accusations
and, in the process, it was revealed that Damaso was the true father of Maria Clara.
 As turmoil and confusion engulfed the town, Maria Clara thought Ibarra had been killed.
This caused her endless grief. She asked to be confined to a nunnery lest she take her own life. It
was later revealed that Ibarra was not dead and that Elias was the one fatally shot. In the latter
passages, the dying Elias was waiting for Ibarra but instead, met and talked to the young Basilio.
He instructed the orphaned boy (his mother Sisa, who became insane looking for her young sons,
had died) to find the treasure of Ibarra buried in the cemetery and use it to get an education. He
reminded Basilio to never lose hope and if one day, freedom and progress would come to his
country, to not forget those who labored in the night.
Within this general contour of the narrative, Rizal wove a complex story and subplots.
Reading through the novel, different characters and their corresponding stories unfolded as told
through the voice of an unseen narrator. Truly, the pages of the Noli reflected the lives of people
living in the complicated world of colonial Philippines.
The plot provided a story of hope and struggle against the backdrop of an elaborate
setting filled with equally complex characters. Through the novel’s characters, varied points of
view were gleaned from colonial life and through its plot, an allegory of colonial life and through
its plot, an allegory of colonial society was created.

Settings in Noli Me Tangere

SETTINGS DESCRIPTIONS
The Town of San Diego San Diego is a fictional name. No town
existed by that name in the Philippines the
time the Noli was written. San Diego maybe
assumed to be a town situated beside Laguna
Lake, since it was along this lake that Elias
and Ibarra were chased by the civil guards
after having narrowly escaped from prison.
The House of Capitan Tiago Where Capitan Tiago hosted a dinner located
on Analogue Street. The description of the
house could be likened to the status of the
Philippine society under Spanish rule.
Manila In his novel Noli Me Tangere, Jose Rizal
describes Manila as dreary, unmodern, and
unlovely. The trees around the plazas are
withered, the unpaved streets choke people
with dust on dry days and turn into slurry on
rainy days, and the architecture is uninspiring.
Pasig River Rizal immortalized the Pasig River by making
it part of his novel, Noli Me Tangere. In one
of the chapters particularly Chapter 7: An Idyl
on an Azotea, the main character Crisostomo
Ibarra offered his heart to Maria Clara while
they were on the balcony overlooking the
Pasig River.
The Townspeople The community they ostensibly work for

The Church and the Clergy
suffers. Indeed, the townspeople find their
various freedoms cut short by the ensign’s
curfew or by the priest’s insistence that
sermons last long into the day.
Catholic friars have commandeered the
country’s politics and culture, manipulating
the lives of Filipino citizens in an attempt to
assert authority and influence. Thus, Rizal
illustrates the Catholic priests’ corruption and
their unchecked power, which doesn’t stem
from actual religious zeal, but rather from a
love of supremacy that colonization has
enabled and encouraged.

Characters of Noli Me Tangere and Their Symbolism

CHARACTERS SYMBOLISM
Crisostomo Ibarra He symbolizes the idealism of the privileged
youth. Ibarra as Rizal’s reflection of himself.
Elias He represents the common Filipino. He is said
to be the personification of Andres Bonifacio.
Capitan Tiago He symbolizes the rich Filipinos who oppress
their fellow countrymen.
Maria Clara She symbolizes the purity and innocence of a
sheltered native woman. Her character is
related to Rizal’s childhood sweetheart,
Leonor Rivera.
Doña Victorina She symbolizes those who have a distorted
view of their identity.
Don Tiburcio de Espadaña Represented the ignorant Spaniards whose
foolishness the other Spaniards tolerated,
often resulting in disastrous consequences for
the natives.
Pia Alba Represents the women who had been abused
by the clergy and had been silenced by their
shame.
Gobernador General Represented the typical Governor Generals of
the Philippines who would often disdain the
power that the friars had.
Alfonso Linares Represented the young Spaniards who came
to the Philippines hoping for a better life than
in their motherland.
Alferez Represented the officials of the state who
frequently had power struggles with the
Church officials.
 Pilosopo Tasio He symbolizes the learned Filipinos. Rizal
can relate to his character as his oldest
brother, Paciano Rizal.
Padre Hernando Sibyla Symbolizes the liberal friar but would rather
stay in the background rather than incur the
wrath of other priests in power. He is aware
of the injustices done to the natives but would
not do anything to change it, as all he cares
about is getting his congregation in power.
Padre Damaso He symbolizes the Spanish friars of Rizal’s
time.
Sisa Personified the suffering of the motherland.
Named after Rizal’s older sister, Narcisa.
Basilio and Crispin They represented the innocent who were
wrongly accused of crimes they did not
commit. Their story was based on the true tale
of the Crisostomo brothers of Hagonoy.
Doña Consolacion Symbolizes the Filipinos in our society who
are ashamed of their own race and nationality.

Conclusions

Jose Rizal wrote Noli Me Tangere hoping to open the eyes of our countrymen and to the
whole world, to let them truly see the cruelty and the colonial conditions in our country during
that time and he wanted us, his fellow countrymen to fight back. He fought back not with the use
of guns and bullets but with the use of his paper and pen which is a very peaceful strategic act.
The novel was not heavy or terrifying nor was sugar coated. It was raw and real. It talks about
the abuse of power, sorrow, greed and their selfishness. The novel tells the truth on what is
happening during that era. It showed us how the Spaniards twisted and turned the truth into
something that would benefit them.
The novel doesn’t just describe the greediness and other negative traits but also describe
love not only in a romantic kind of love but most importantly describe the love of our
motherland and the love of our family. It also shows sacrifices and forgiveness.
On my own point of view, war doesn’t need to end in violence but it could be ended
peacefully not with the use of bullets and guns but through the use of powerful words with the
use of pen and paper. Good will always prevail.

References:
The Life and Works of Jose Rizal
Rhodalyn Wani-Obias, Aaron Abel Mallari, Janet Reguindin-Estella
https://www.slideshare.net
https://www.manilatimes.net
CHAPTER 10
NOLI ME TANGERE, CONTINUING RELEVANCE
1. Appreciate the importance of Rizal as a thinker
- Jose Rizal was not just a national hero but also a brilliant thinker for he had
forewarned his countrymen and all those who would be attempting to read the
novel “Noli Me Tangere” that they would be committing a mortal sin, if they
would do way of discovering the darkest secrets of Spanish regime. With
Rizal’s words, the people had become more engrossed in reading the novel.
As a result, their blind eyes had been opened to the excruciating world of
corruption, bribery, political, economic, and moral abuses by the Spaniards.

2. Relate the issues raised in the novel to the changing landscape of the contemporary
world.
-