GEM – THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL Week 12-13 – Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE NOVEL A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE NOVEL •

As a man obsessed with freedom and liberty for the Filipino people, Rizal proposed a book writing
project to the Filipino members of the Circulo Hispano Filipino. The book wou ld dealon the socio-
cultural and political aspects of life in the Philippines. Members wanted to write about the characters
and activities of the Filipino women and most of them were not interested with this proposed project of
Rizal.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE NOVEL • On June 2, 1884, Rizal proposed the writing of a novel about the
Philippines written by a group of Filipinos. His proposal was unanimously approved by the Filipinos
present at the party, among whom were Pedro, Maximino andAntonio Paterno,Graciano López Jaena,
Evaristo Aguirre, Eduardo de Lete, Julio Llorente and Valentin Ventura.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE NOVEL • He thendecided to write the book by himself and did not lose hope
usinghis talent and writing skills. He started to write his masterpiecethe, “Noli Me Tangere,” and joined
the Brotherhood of Masons formore mature contacts and enlightenment to complete the book.He
finished the book in December 1886.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE NOVEL • The purpose of the novel was simply to raise political consciousness
concerning the current condition of affairs in the Philippines. He managed to finished the first half of the
novel in Madrid and finally finished it in Germany where scientific research and philosophy were free
from the church and state control.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE NOVEL • Rizal made his final touch in his prolific novel and was printed in
Berlin, Germany with the financial help of his friend Dr. Maximo Viola. The novel was published at
Berliner Buchdruckrei-Action-Gesselschaft with the lowest rate of P300 for 2,000 copies and the book
was finally released in March 1887 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE NOVEL • Noli Me Tangere” is a Latin phrase
that Rizal took from the Bible, meaning “Touch me not.” In John 20:13-17,the newly-risen Christ says to
Mary Magdalene: “Touch me not; I am not yet ascended to my , but go to my brethren, and say unto
them I ascend unto my Father and your Father, and to my God and your God.” The novel has a missing
chapter and the reason of omission is purely economic. The missing chapter was entitled Elias and
Salome which follows chapter XXIV – “In the Woods.” The chapter talks about the love storyof Elias and
Salome.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE NOVEL • “Noli Me Tangere” (The Social Cancer as the alternative English title)
is a Spanish-language novel written by Dr. Jose P. Rizal that is credited with the awakening of
nationalism among the Filipinos of Rizal’s time. The novel is commonly referred to by its shortened
name Noli. The English translation of Charles Derbyshire was titled “The Social Cancer,” although some
other translations retain the original Latin. This novel was published when Dr. Rizal was 26 and it played
historical significance to the Filipino nation in establishing its identity. Rizal dedicated his novel, Noli me
Tangere to the Philippines – “To My Fatherland.” The dedication goes this way:

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE NOVEL • Recorded In the history of human sufferings is a cancer so malignant a
character that the least touch irritates it and awakens in it the sharpest pains. Thus, how many times,
when in the midst of modern civilizations, I have wished to call thee before me, now to accompany me
in memories, now to compare thee with other countries, hath thy dear image presented itself showing a
social cancer like to that other!

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE NOVEL Desiring thy welfare whichh is our own, and seeking the best treatment,
I will do with thee what the ancients did with their sick, exposing them on the steps of the temple so
that everyone who came to invoke the Divinity might offer them a remedy.

And to this end, I will strive to reproduce thy condition faithfully, without discriminations; I will raise a
part of the veil that covers the evil, sacrificing to truth everything, even vanity itself, since, as thy son I
am conscious that I also suffer from thy defects and weaknesses
NOLI ME TANGERE COVER MEANING This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed uNOLI ME TANGERE
COVER MEANING

• SILHOUETTE OF A FILIPINA – It was popular belief that the silhouette of the woman in the cover of
Noli Me Tangere is the unfortunate Maria Clara, Crisostomo Ibarra’s lover. “Padre Cura! Padre Cura!’
[Padre Salvi] the Spaniards cried to him; but he did not mind them. He ran in the direction of the Capitan
Tiago’s house. There he breathed a sigh of relief. He saw through the transparent gallery an adorable
silhouette full of grace and the lovely contours of Maria Clara and that of her aunt bearing glasses and
cups.”

NOLI ME TANGERE COVER MEANING • A MAN IN A CASSOCK WITH HAIRY FEET – This symbolism at the
lower part of the cover isto be a representation for priests using religion in a dirty way, specifically Padre
Damaso.”However, Padre Damaso is not mysterious like those monks; he is jolly and ifthe sound of his
voice is brusque like that of a man who has never bitten his tongue andwho believes everything he
utters is sacrosanct and cannot be improved upon, his gayand frank laughter erases this disagreeble
impression, even to the extent that one feelsbound to forgive him his sockless feet and a pair of hairy
legs which would fetch thefortune of a Mendiata in the Quiapo fair.”

NOLI ME TANGERE COVER MEANING • HELMET OF THE GUARDIA CIVIL/CONSTABULARY HELMET – An

• The Alferez [Dona Consolacion’s husband] picked up his helmet, straightenedhimself a bit and
marched off with loud giant strides. After a few minutes he returned, notmaking the least sound. He had
removed his boots.

The servants, accustomed to these

NOLI ME TANGERE COVER MEANING • WHIP/CORD – The cruelties present in the novel best explains
the symbol Rizal used in thecover.”[Dona Consolacion] took a few turns in the room twisting the whip
in hercalloused hands and, stopping all of a sudden in front of Sisa, told her in Spanish,“Dance” [Dona
Consolacion] raised the whip – that terrible whip familiar to thieves andsoldiers, made in Ulango and
perfected by the Alferez with twisted wires… And shestarted to whip lightly the naked feet of the mad
woman, whose face contracted withpain, obliging her to defend herself with her hands” NOLI ME
TANGERE COVER MEANING • FLOGS – another symbolism for cruelties. It is a representation of Jesus
Christ’s scourging before his imminent crucifixion.Elias – “[S]ince he was poor and could not pay for able
lawyers, he wascondemned to be scourged in public and taken through the streets of Manila. Not
longlong ago this was in use, this infamous punishment the people call “caballo y vaca,” a thousand
times worse than death itself. My grandfather, abandoned by all except his young wife, was tied to a
horse, followed by a cruel multitude, and flogged on every street corner, before other men, his brothers,
and in the neighborhood if the numeroustemples of a God of peace.”

NOLI ME TANGERE COVER MEANING •A LENGTH OF CHAIN – representation of slavery and

NOLI ME TANGERE COVER MEANING •BAMBOO STALKS – One thing comes to mind when bamboo
stalks are talked about resilience.

NOLI ME TANGERE COVER MEANING • CROSS – The one that killed the Christ Jesus. It was a
representation of suffering and death. It also represents a grave.

Magnifies the discrimination towards Filipinos, Chinese Mestizos and Spaniards during this time towards
a proper burial.

NOLI ME TANGERE COVER MEANING • BURNING TORCH - A reference to the Olympic torch, it tells
everyone the beginning of the defense of honors and the start of proving themselves worthy of victory.
Rage and passion are most abundant in this phase. Represents a phrase that could possibly mean
everything to every single suffering Filipinos: “The rise of the revolution is now at hand.

NOLI ME TANGERE COVER MEANING • POMELO BLOSSOMS AND LAUREL LEAVES – They roughly
represent faith, honor and fidelity.

P0melo blossoms are utilized as loose potpourri or a mixture of dried flower petals and spices used to
scent the air.
It is commonly used in prayers and cleansing. The laurel leaves, also known as bay leaves, are used as
crowns during the Ancient Greek Olympics wherein the best of the best are treated as heroes. Filipinos
in this time wants to embody these three virtuesthat Rizal represented as two plants.

NOLI ME TANGERE COVER MEANING • SUNFLOWERS – A unique behavior in sunflowers, known as

ATTACKERS AND DEFENDERS OF THE NOLI Attackers:

✓ Fr. Jose Rodriguez, an Augustine priest who published a series of eight (8) pamphlets to discredit Noli
✓ Father Font- printed and distributed copies to discredit the controversial novel.

✓ General Jose de Salamanca ✓ General Luis M. de Prado ✓ Sr. Fernando Vida ✓ Vicente Barrantes, the
Spanish academician of Madrid who bitterly criticized the Noli inan article published in La Espana
Moderna (Madrid newspaper) in January 1890.

BY ATTACKERS AND DEFENDERS OF THE NOLI Defenders:

✓ Marcelo H. Del Pilar ✓ Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor ✓ Graciano Lopez Jaena ✓ Mariano Ponce ✓ Father
Sanchez, Rizal’s favorite teacher in Ateneo ✓ Don Segismundo Moret, former Minister of the Crown ✓
Dr. Miguel Morayta, historian and stateman ✓ Professor Blumentritt, scholar and educator ✓ Other
Filipino reformists in foreign lands ✓ Rev. Vicente Garcia, a Filipino priests-scholar and a Tagalog
translator ✓ Desiderio Magalong This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY THE
NOVELIST’S LITERARY CHARACTERS This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed uTHE NOVELIST’S
LITERARY CHARACTERS Rizal included around 30 characters in the novel. Below are some of the major
characters of the story that represent conditions of the Philippines.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY THE NOVELIST’S LITERARY CHARACTERS 2. Elias –
Ibarra’s mysterious friend, a master boater, also a fugitive. He was referred to at one point as “the
pilot”, who wants to revolutionize his country. Ibarra’s grandfather condemned of burning a warehouse
that made Elias a fugitive. The character that Rizal placed to represent the Filipino masses who suffered
from Spanish brutalities and abuse due to their powerlessness in the novel and in real Philippines social
situation of that time.

THE NOVELIST’S LITERARY CHARACTERS 4. Padre Damaso Verdolagas – Franciscan friar and Maria
Clara’s biological father. Anantagonist in character and represents the un-Christian works of the
Catholic friars who are in the church.

Image:

THE NOVELIST’S LITERARY CHARACTERS 5. Sisa – the mother of Basilio and Crispin, who became insane
after losing her sons. She symbolized a mother who would do everything for the sake of her children.

L20Clara%20Ibarra/MCI8.jpg THE NOVELIST’S LITERARY CHARACTERS • 6. Kapitain Tiago – He was

@ @._V1_.jpg THE NOVELIST’S LITERARY CHARACTERS • 7. Pilosopong Tasyo – also known as Don
Anastasio, portrayed in the novel as pessimistic, cynic, and mad by his neighbors. He symbolized a
Filipino who was intelligent and spoke for his principles.

THE NOVELIST’S LITERARY CHARACTERS 8. Dona Victorina – Victorina de los Reyes de De Espadana, a
woman who passes herself off asa Peninsulares. Wife of Don Tiburcio de Espadana, known in the novel
as a trying hard rich woman who abhors anything that is Filipino and clings to Spanish way of life. This
kind of character was manifested on some Filipinos of that time.

THE NOVELIST’S LITERARY CHARACTERS •9. Pedro – abusive husband of Sisa who love cockfighting.

HE NOVELIST’S LITERARY CHARACTERS 10. Don Rafael Ibarra – known in the plot as a concerned citizen
and property owner who was the father of Crisostomo Ibarra.

Padre Damaso who played an antagonist role called him a heretic and rebel due to his view on relating
to liberalism in society
THE NOVELIST’S LITERARY CHARACTERS 11. The School Master – A teacher at San Diego who’s view in
the novel represented the weak and useless education in the Philippines. He attributes the problem
from facilities and methods of learning that the friars implemented in the country.

THE NOVELIST’S LITERARY CHARACTERS 12. Tandang Pablo – The Leader of the rebels, whose family
was destroyed because of the Spaniards.

THE NOVELIST’S LITERARY CHARACTERS 13. Basilio – the elder son of Sisa.

THE NOVELIST’S LITERARY CHARACTERS 14. Crispin – the younger son of Sisa who died from the
punishment of the soldiers from the false accusation of stealing an amount of money.

THE NOVELIST’S LITERARY CHARACTERS 15. Padre Sibyla – Hernando de la Sibyla, a Filipino friar. He is
described as short and has fair skin THE NOVELIST’S LITERARY CHARACTERS 16. Padre Salvi – also known
in his full name as Bernardo Salvi, a secret admirer of Maria Clara.

@@._V1_.jpg THE NOVELIST’S LITERARY CHARACTERS 17. The Alferez – chief of the Guardia Civil;
mortal enemy of the priests for power in San Diego.

THE NOVELIST’S LITERARY CHARACTERS 18. Don Tiburcio – Spanish husband of Donya Victorina who was
limp and submissive to his wife; he also pretended to be a doctor.

THE NOVELIST’S LITERARY CHARACTERS 19. Dona Consolacion – wife of the alferez, another who passed
herself as a Peninsular;

best remembered for her abusive treatment of Sisa

_.jpg THE NOVELIST’S LITERARY CHARACTERS 20. Captain General (no specific name) – The most
powerful official in the Philippines, a hater of secular priests and corrupt officials, and a friend of Ibarra.

SUMMARY OF THE NOLI ME TANGERE This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed uSUMMARY OF THE
NOLI ME TANGERE Crisostomo Ibarra is a young Filipino who studied for seven years in Europe and later
on returned to his native land to look for his father, landowner and known for his wealth. Ibarra’s father
died in prison allegedly as a result of a quarrel with the parish curate of Padre Damaso, a Franciscan
friar. Ibarra is engaged to a beautiful and promising lady, Maria Clara, the supposed daughter, and only
child of Don Santiago de Los Santos, commonly known as “Capitan Tiago.”

SUMMARY OF THE NOLI ME TANGERE Ibarra resolves to cede all quarters and to work for the goodness
of his countrymen. To exhibit his good intentions, he seeks to build, public schools in his native town, all
expenses paid by him. He meets with apparent support from all, especially Padre Damaso’s descendant,
a young and gloomy Fransciscan named Padri Salvi, for whom Maria Clara confesses as an instinctive
dread.

SUMMARY OF THE NOLI ME TANGERE At the laying of the cornerstone for the new schoolhouse, a
suspicious accident, apparently aimed at Ibarra’s life, occurs, but the festivities proceed until the dinner,
where Ibarra is wantonly andgrossly maligned over the memory of his father by Fray Damaso. The young
man almost loses control of himself and is about to kill the friar, but was saved by Maria Clara.

SUMMARY OF THE NOLI ME TANGERE Ibarra is excommunicated, and Capitan Tiago, through his fear of
the friars, is forced to breakthe engagement and agree to the marriage of Maria Clara with a young and
innocuous Spaniardprovided by Padre Damaso. Obedient to her reputed father’s command and
influenced by hermysterious dread of Padre Salvi, Maria Clara consents to this arrangement but
becomes seriously ill,only to save by medicines sent secretly by Ibarra and clandestinely administered by
a girlfriend.

SUMMARY OF THE NOLI ME TANGERE Ibarra succeeds in having the excommunication removed, but
before he can explain matters, anuprising against the Civil Guard is secretly brought about agents of
Padre Salvi, and the leadership isattributed to Ibarra to ruin him. He is warned by a mysterious friend, an
outlaw called Elias, whose lifehe had accidentally saved; but desiring first to see Maria Clara, refuses to
make his escape, and whenthe outbreak occurs, he is arrested as the prime mover of it and thrown into
prion in Manila.

SUMMARY OF THE NOLI ME TANGERE On the evening when Capitan Tiago gives a ball in his Manila
house to celebrate his supposed daughter’s engagement, Ibarra makes his escape from prison and
succeeds in seeing Maria Clara alone. He begins to reproach her because it is a letter written to her
before he went to Europe which forms the basis of the charge against him, but she clears herself of
treachery to him. The letter had been secured from her by false representations and in exchange for two
others written by her motherjust before her birth, which prove that Padre Damaso is her birth father.

SUMMARY OF THE NOLI ME TANGERE These letters had been coincidentally located in the convent by
Padre Salvi, who made use of them to intimidate the girl and get possession of Ibarra’s letter, from
which he forged others to incriminate the young man. She tells him that she will marry the young
Spaniard, sacrificing herself thus to save her mother’s name and Capitan Tiago’s honor and to prevent a
public scandal, but that she will always remain faithful to Crisostomo Ibarra.

SUMMARY OF THE NOLI ME TANGERE Ibarra’s escaped, had been effected by Elias, who transported him
in a bangka up the Pasig to the Lake, where the Civil Guard so closely besetted them that Elias leaped
into the water and drew the pursuers away from the boat, in which Ibarra laid concealed.

SUMMARY OF THE NOLI ME TANGERE On Christmas Eve, at the mausoleum of the Ibarra in a gloomy
wood, Elias appeared, wounded and dying, and found there a boy named Basilio beside the corpse of his
mother, a poor woman who had been driven to insanity be her husband’s neglect and abuses. On the
part of the Civil Guard, her younger son having disappeared sometime before in the convent, where he
was a sacristan. Basilio, who was ignorant of Elias’s identity, helped him to build a funeral pyre, on which
his corpse and the madwomen were to be burned.

SUMMARY OF THE NOLI ME TANGERE Upon knowing of the reported death of Ibarra in the chase on the
Lake, Maria Clara became disconsolate and begged her supposed godfather, Fray Damaso, to put her in
a nunnery. Unconscious of her knowledge of their real relationship, the friar breaks down and confesses
that all the trouble he has stirred up with the Ibarras has been to prevent her from marrying a native,
which would condemn her and her entreaties, and she entered the nunnery of St. Clara, to which Padre
Salvi was assigned ina ministerial capacity.

References:

•Nery, Imelda C. & Sion, Paul John G. (2021).

Chapter 5: Rizal’s Life: Exile, Trial and Death.

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