How do you think Noli Me Tangere reflect Jose Rizal’s intent and hopes for his

motherland?

Before answering this question, let us first discuss the reason why Rizal entitled
his novel Noli Me Tangere. Well, Noli Me Tangere is a Latin word meaning ‘Touch Me
Not’, a phrase spoken by Jesus to Mary Magdalene when she recognized him after his
resurrection. From this, we can see how ingenious Rizal is to show his intent and hopes
for his motherland in an indirect manner – that the citizens of the country must be the
one to rule over their territory and not by any colonizers,

Now that we have witnessed how clever Rizal is, let’s scrutinize and uncover the
message behind his novel. For me, there are three main points about Noli Me Tangere;
first is the portrayal of how Filipinos lived during that time, second is to show to us the
difference in social status and power, and last but not the least is the depiction of how
religion affects our daily lives. Through these things, we can contemplate that we have
been imprisoned by our own selves to ignorance and lack of knowledge. We have been
fooled and ruled over by several Spaniards and Friars without noticing it.

For this reason, I think seeking independency is the main theme of Noli Me
Tangere and by which Rizal wants us to achieve it through education and labor. Rizal
wants us to attain liberty by working on it. If only we are taught and educated, we can
achieve freedom – and that is the true intent of Rizal for his motherland.