GESS 211 (Life and Works of Dr.

Jose Rizal)
Prepared by: Mr. Lorenzo Jr. T. Gulle

NOLI ME TANGERE: Facts, Characters/Symbolisms, and Synopsis

NOLI ME TANGERE: FACTS

 first novel of Rizal

- Rizal got the idea of writing Noli Me Tangere after reading Uncle
Tom’s Cabin (Life Among the Lowly), an anti-slavery novel by an
American author Harriet Beecher Stowe
- the novel had profound effect of attitudes toward African
Americans and slavery in the United States
- said to have lay the groundwork for the American Civil War

- the black Americans being described in Uncle Tom’s Cabin lived in

a plight similar to the Filipinos during the Spanish colonial era.
 Social Cancer was the original title of the novel published in 1887
- written in Spanish, is a sweeping and passionate unmasking of the
brutality and corruption of Spanish rule (1565–1898) in the Philippines.
(Bauer, 2020)
 Translation: “Touch Me Not” taken from the Bible John 20:17 “…TOUCH
ME NOT for I am not yet ascended to my Father…” - King James Version
- translated by Pascual Poblete in Filipino
 dedicated to My Fatherland (A Mi Patria)
 WRITING:
- Purpose: Expose the abuses of the Spanish friars and government
officials
- Claim: “It was a fictitious description of the oppressed condition of his
countrymen.”
- Rizal started writing in Madrid, Spain
- Rizal finished about half in Paris
- Rizal finished writing in Leipzig, Germany
- Maximo Viola lent Php 300 to Jose Rizal for the first printing of
the Noli Me Tangere
- 2000 copies were printed
- published in Berlin, Germany in 1887
 Rizal also presents the positive qualities of his countrymen. Family devotion is
seen in the relations of Crisostomo Ibarra, Maria Clara, and others like the
schoolteacher, with their parents, and guardians.

 By presenting different sides of the national situation, Rizal fulfilled his intent of
presenting a “bold and impartial account” of Philippine life.
  In doing so, the novel not only exposed the sufferings of the Philippine natives
but took steps towards defining the national identity

 A member of the Spanish in the Spanish Cortes assailed the novel as “anti-
Catholic, Protestant, socialistic.”
- Father Vicente Garcia, a Catholic theologian of the Manila Cathedral
- staunch defender of Rizal
- wrote a very scholarly defense of the Noli Me Tangere
 Composed of 64 chapters

NOLI ME TANGERE: SYMBOLISMS AND CHARACTERS

 Juan Crisostomo Ibarra – Rizal’s reflection of himself

- Depicted as one of the Filipinos who managed to finish their studies abroad. He
had been living abroad for seven (7) years. He had liberal mind, outspoken, and
idealistic. He was the son of Don Rafael Ibarra, one of the wealthiest
businessmen in San Diego. He was the childhood friend/sweetheart of Maria
Clara. He is very patient and serious man, but when provoked, he becomes very
violent and impulsive.
 Philosophy Tacio (Pilosopo Tasyo) – smart and wise brother of Rizal, Paciano
- Comes from a rich family. He is often the pessimist and is untrusting of human
altruism. He does not believe in religious fanaticism that was in vogue during
his time.

 Maria Clara (Maria Clara de los Santos) – the major woman character (Leonor
Rivera) symbolized the Philippines, a victim of circumstances which involved human
weakness as hypocrisy and greed.
- Has eyes like her mother. She had childish simplicity despite being showered
with love and attention by everyone. She gets easily nervous when her loved
ones are in trouble. She had shown her love to Ibarra with such modesty that
remained unsullied of impure ideas.
 Doña Pia – victim of blind faith in the teachings of the religious orders, faith that
gained a stronghold in ruling the natives.
- Mother of Maria Clara who was raped by Padre Damaso. After becoming
pregnant by Padre Damaso, Doña Pia’s disposition took a visible turn for the
worse, it ultimately resulted in her death.
 Capitan Tiago (Don Santiago de los Santos) - rich Filipinos who oppress their
fellow countrymen in exchange for the influence and the riches that they might gain
from their powerful associations.
- He is a Filipino businessman and the cabeza de barangay (head of the
barangay) of San Diego. He is the known father of Maria Clara. He is the
richest man in Binondo. He is said to be a good Catholic, friend of the Spanish
government, and considered as Spanish colonialist.

 Fray Damaso (Padre Damaso Verdolagas) – he symbolizes the Spanish friar and is a
comment on the Spanish control of the Philippines. Franciscan friar and the former
parish curate. He is best known as the
 notorious character who speaks with harsh words and has been a cruel priest. He is the
real father of Maria Clara and the mortal enemy of Rafael Ibarra
 Elias – represents the common Filipino (Andres Bonifacio) who is not aware of the
injustices done to their countrymen but would also like to deliver them from their
oppressors.
- He was a former boatman who became one of the most wanted criminals in San
Diego. He distrusts human judgment and prefer God’s justice instead. He is
acquainted with the tulisanes and other crooks, which he uses to his advantage
in discerning the troubles of the town. He prefers a revolution (arm-struggle)
over the reforms (education) that Ibarra has been inclined to believe in.
 Fray Salvi (Padre Salvi) – identified as the lecherous Augustinian friar (Fray Antonio
Piernavieja) of Rizal’s time who was killed by a Filipino in the revolution.
- He has a secret admiration to Maria Clara. On the later part of the novel, he and
Padre Damaso devised a plan to break Ibarra and Maria Clara apart.
 Doña Consolacion – Filipinos in society who are ashamed of their race and
nationality
- Her adulation of the Spaniards leads her to imitate the very actions and attitudes
of the Spanish women
 Doña Victorina – hypocrite incarnate, social climber, and a victim of colonial
mentality
- Ambitious Filipina who classifies herself as a Spanish and mimics Spanish
ladies by putting on heavy make-up.

 Don Tiburcio de Espadaña – caricature of ignorant Spaniard who wreak havoc in

the provinces during the Spanish colonial era.
- The husband of Doña Victorina. He was known for charging exorbitant fees for
his medical treatment. He was an official of the bureau of customs
 Sisa (Narcisa) – represented the motherland (Philippines) who was suffering as her
character have suffered with the loss of her children (Crispin and Basilio). The tragic
event that ruined her life represented the abuse that the motherland received from her
colonizers (Spaniards)
- Typical native wife who endures sufferings from her husband by beatings and
irresponsibility. She had been stripped of her few jewels by her husband, Pedro,
an inveterate gambler. Despite the abuse, she considers him as god.
 Basilio – Sisa’s ten-year-old son. An acolyte tasked to ring the church bells for the
Angelus, he faced the dread of losing his younger brother, Crispin and the descent of
his mother into insanity. At the end of the novel, Elias wished Basilio to bury him by
burning in exchange for a chest of gold on his death ground.
 Crispin – represents the innocents who have been wrongly accused of the crime they
did not commit. The injustices they suffered under the hands of

the authorities (Spanish) during their time were silenced by their deaths and the cover-
ups that follow it.
- He is a sacristan who had been accused of stealing two gold pieces by the
senior sacristan. Although he had implored his brother Basilio to pay for the
said amount, the latter refuses as their mother would have nothing to eat.
 Julia – personified the helpless and downtrodden, a victim to the wickedness of friars

 Paulita – foreshadowed the seemingly uninhibited present-day teenagers

  Aunt Isabel (Tiya Isabel) – ever-zealous maternal guardian
 Doña Patrocinio and the tertiary sisters – victims of superstition, hypocrisy, vanity,
and false pride

NOLI ME TANGERE: SYNOPSIS

After completing his studies in Europe, Juan Crisostomo Ibarra returns to his
hometown, San Diego. He was not there for seven long years, and to celebrate his
homecoming, Capitan Tiago holds a get-together party. The said party was attended
by some dignitaries: Fray Damaso, Fray Sibayla, Lt. Guevara, Doña Victorina, and
many others.

Maria Clara, a beautiful lady known to be the daughter of Capitan Tiago is a

sweetheart of Ibarra. After the party, the sweethearts have a happy reunion. Maria
Claria re-read the letters that Ibarra gave her before he left for Europe.

At the time when Ibarra is preparing to leave San Diego, Lt. Guevara of the
Guardia Civil told him about the misfortune of his father, Don Rafael Ibarra. Don
Rafael was accused of being heretic, an allegation raised by Fray Damaso because as
told, his father refused to participate in church confession and mass rites. That
allegation was strengthened by an incident. One day, Don Rafael saw a tax collector
fighting against a student. The don was a man of compassion, so in the course of the
fight, he intervened to help the student. Unfortunately, the tax collector fell and his
head hit a stone that eventually caused his death. Investigation was ensued. Everyone
who wronged Don Rafael showed up and he was imprisoned. His case was in the
verge of settlement when he got sick and died in jail.

Fray Damaso was not contented with his allegation to Don Rafael, so, he
ordered that his corpse be transferred from Catholic cemetery to the Chinese one
because to him, Don Rafael was heretic and do not deserve a Christian burial. It was
raining hard when the corpse was exhumed. The men were bothered by the weight of
the cadaver. They decided to throw it into the river.

Ibarra, being a man of education and a man who does not carry a vengeful
idea, tried to forget everything. He wanted to continue the liberal

mind of his father. He planned of putting up a school because he firmly believes that
education is a liberating instrument.

But there was a sabotage to kill Ibarra which is supposed to be carried during
the inauguration of the school. A man in the name of Elias helped him and instead the
hired killer is the one killed.

In the luncheon as part of the school’s inauguration, Fray Damaso insulted

Ibarra. Ibarra ignored the priest. But Ibarra’s patience comes to an end when Padre
Damaso belittled the dignity of his dead father. He takes a knife and in the point of
stabbing the impudent priest, Maria Clara stops him.
 The incident makes the Archbishop of the church to excommunicate Ibarra.
Fray Damaso persuaded the parents of Maria Clara to stop her marrying Ibarra. The
priest has a man for Maria Clara a Spanish, in the name of Linares. He just arrived in
the Philippines.

After some time, the bishop nullifies the excommunication of Ibarra. It

happens through the help of Capital General. For another reason, Ibarra gets arrested
and jailed. During the litigation, no body could testify the crime committed by Ibarra.
It is a chance in favor of Ibarra, but again, fate is very unfriendly to him. His letters to
Maria Clara are manipulated and used as evidence against him.

With the help of Elias, Ibarra escapes from prison. Before leaving, he talks to
Maria Clara in discreet. He accuses her for betraying him. Maria Clara explains to
Ibarra that those letters were written by her mother long before her birth. The letter
said that Padre Damaso raped her mother and the truth comes out that Capitan Tiago
is not her real father.

Ibarra and Elias board a boat and flee. Elias covers Ibarra with grasses in the
boat. The Guardia Civil spot them. Elias dives into the river and the soldiers shoot
him unaware that they are firing the wrong person.

Maria is so sad to hear the fate of her forlorn sweetheart. She asks Padre
Damaso to take her to the nunnery, but the priest is reluctant on the thought that Maria
Clara will take her own life.

Christmas, Elias is wounded arrives at Ibarra’s forest where he finds Basilio

and his dead mother, Sisa. Elias dies without seeing the victory of his country.

SOURCES:
Espino, D. D. (2016, Jan 21). Noli me tangere characters and symbolisms. Retrieved from
https://prezi.com/q67afzrbofrl/noli-me-tangere-characters-and-symbolism-copied/
Gulle Jr., L. T. (2020): Life, works, and writings of Dr. Jose Rizal (R.A. 1425). Digos City :
Davao del Sur State College
Leaño Jr., R. D., & Tabotabo, C. V. (2009). Jose P. Rizal: A hero’s life. Manila City:
Mindshapers Co., Inc.

APPLICATION 1: (ANSWER THIS!)

Direction: ESSAY: Briefly and concisely answer the questions below. Maximum of three (3)
sentences ONLY.

1. What was the difference in opinion between Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio on the country’s
attainment of independence from Spain?
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2. Elias’ final message to Basilio before his final breath was, “I die without seeing the dawn
brighten over my native land. You who have it to see, welcome it. And forget not those who have
fallen during the night.”

As a GESS 211 student, how do you understand the message of this line from Noli Me Tangere?
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Rubrics in Grading Essay
0 3 5 7 10
Student is unable Student is able to Student is able to Student not only Student establish
to establish the establish the establish the establish the the correct ideas
ideas and ideas and ideas and correct ideas and and concepts
concepts concepts concepts concepts prescribed by the
prescribed by the prescribed by the prescribed by the prescribed by the topic, shows
topic. topic but shows topic and shows topic but also evidence by
erroneous correct shows evidence citing relevant
understanding. understanding. by citing relevant examples, and
examples. consistently
contributes
additional
thoughts to the
Core idea.

APPLICATION 2: (ANSWER THIS!)

Direction: Choose the letter of the correct answer. (1 point each)
1. Rizal got the idea of writing Noli Me Tangere after reading _____ by _____.
a. The Imitation of Christ : Thomas-a-Kempis
b. Uncle Tom’s Cabin : Harriet Beecher Stowe
c. Nuestra Señora del Rosario : Fray Blancas de San Jose
d. Doctrina Cristiana : Fray Juan de Plascencia

2. Which among the following is TRUE about the Noli Me Tangere?

I. Rizal began writing the Noli in Madrid, where he finished about half of the book, continued
the work in Paris, and ended it in Leipzig.
II. Rizal began writing the Noli in Paris, where he finished about half of the book, and ended it
in Leipzig.
III. Rizal did not have any money to have the Noli printed and was lent 300 pesos by his brother
Paciano.
IV. Rizal did not have any money to have the Noli printed and was lent 300 pesos by Maximo
Viola.
V. The Noli was finally printed in Germany.
a. I, III, and V c. I, IV, and V
b. II, IV, and V d. II, III, and V

3. The Noli Me Tangere, Jose Rizal’s first novel, is historically significant because it was
instrumental in establishing which of the following?
a. National identity c. Inciting the seeds of the revolution
b. Fight against graft and corruption d. Love for education
4. What does Noli Me Tangere mean?
a. The Enemies of the Government c. The Reign of the Greed
b. Touch Me Not d. Teach Me the Liberty

5. In El Amor Patrio, what is considered by Rizal as the greatest, most heroic, and sublime or
disinterested sentiment a person can have?
a. Love of Nature c. Love of Country
b. Love of Fellowmen d. Love of God

6. Noli Me Tangere was published in ______ in _____.

a. Leipzig, Germany, 1887 c. Paris, France; 1887
b. Madrid, Spain; 1887 d. Berlin, Germany; 1887

7. How did Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere contribute to the development of his countrymen?
a. It awakened them to the oppressive rule of Spain.
b. It exposed to them the scandals of the friars.
c. It taught them to love their local language.
d. It pictures for them the ideal Filipina.

8. He financially helped Rizal in the printing of Noli Me Tangere.

a. Father Vicente Garcia c. Graciano Lopez-Jaena
b. Maximo Viola d. Marcelo H. del Pilar

9. Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere had a staunch defender in the person of a Catholic theologian of the
Manila Cathedral, _____, who wrote a very scholarly defense of the Noli.
a. Father Vicente Garcia c. Father José Apolonio Burgos
b. Father Estanislao March d. Fr. Jose Vilaclara

10. The setting of the novel Noli Me Tangere

a. San Pablo c. San Diego
b. San Sebastian d. San Santiago

11. Which character in Noli Me Tangere symbolizes the reflection of Jose Rizal, himself?
a. Rafael Ibarra c. Pilosopo Tasyo
b. Juan Crisostomo Ibarra d. Capitan Tiago

12. The following are true of Don Rafael Ibarra EXCEPT:

a. He is one of the wealthiest businessmen in San Diego.
b. Alleged to be heretic raised by Fray Sibayla.
c. He was imprisoned for unintentionally killing the tax collector.
d. He got sick and died in jail.

13. Which character in Noli Me Tangere symbolizes the only brother of Rizal?
a. Elias b. Linares c. Ibarra d. Pilosopo Tasyo

14. She symbolizes the Filipino womanhood in their fidelity and modesty.
a. Doña Victorina c. Doña Pia
b. Doña Consolacion d. Maria Clara

15. Who is Maria Clara in real life?

a. Leonor Rivera c. Josephine Bracken
b. Leonor Valenzuela d. Segunda Katigbak

16. The biological mother of Maria Clara.

 a. Doña Victorina c. Doña Pia
b. Doña Consolacion d. Doña Isabel

17. Which of the following is NOT true of Capital Tiago?

a. The biological father of Maria Clara.
b. He is one of the businessmen in San Diego.
c. He is the head of the barangay.
d. He is a Spanish colonialist.

18. He was the mortal enemy of Don Rafael Ibarra.

a. Capitan Tiago c. Tax collector
b. Padre Sibayla d. Padre Damaso

19. The biological father of Maria Clara.

a. Capital Tiago c. Padre Salvi
b. Padre Sibayla d. Padre Damaso

20. Who represented the common people in Noli Me Tangere?

a. Sisa b. Ibarra c. Elias d. Crispin

21. The Philippine hero who represented the common people.

a. Apolinario Mabini c. Andres Bonifacio
b. Graciano Lopez-Jaena d. Marcelo H. del Pilar

22. Which character has secret admiration to Maria Clara?

a. Linares b. Padre Sibayla c. Elias d. Padre Salvi

23. Who inspired Ibarra of putting up a school?

a. Capitan Tiago c. Rafael Ibarra
b. Pilosopo Tasyo d. All of the above

24. He personally helped Ibarra from a killing sabotage during the inauguration of the school.
a. Crispin b. Elias c. Basilio d. Sisa

25. The character who is ashamed of her identify as Filipino.

a. Doña Victorina c. Doña Pia
b. Doña Consolacion d. Doña Isabel

26. Which character mimics Spanish lady and is known to have inhibit a colonial mentality?
a. Doña Victorina c. Doña Pia
b. Doña Consolacion d. Doña Isabel

27. The following are true of Don Tiburcio EXCEPT:

a. The husband of Doña Consolacion
b. He was known for charging excessive fees for his medical treatment.
c. He was an official of the bureau of customs.
d. He was described to be an ignorant Spaniard.

28. Which of the following is NOT true of Narcisa?

a. She symbolizes the suffering of the Philippines.
b. She is the mother of Crispin and Basilio.
c. She endures suffering from Pedro.
d. None of the above
29. The character in Noli who was accused for stealing gold bars.
a. Elias b. Basilio c. Crispin d. Narcisa

30. He uttered this line from Noli Me Tangere, “I die without seeing the dawn brighten over my
native land. You who have it to see, welcome it. And forget not those who have fallen during the
night.”
a. Elias b. Basilio c. Crispin d. Ibarra