NOVELS OF

DR. JOSE RIZAL

G E C 1 0 9 – L I F E AN D W O R K S O F R I Z AL
Noli Me Tangere & El Filibusterismo
• A complex story of a pacifist who raised his
pen and, subsequently, unintentionally inspired
multiple nationwide uprisings and
revolutions.

• These two novels dig deeper into understanding

the internal and external struggles of a
Source: https://owlcation.com/humanities/noli-me-tangere-and-el-
country, divided by a plethora of motivations, filibusterismo

beliefs, ideologies, and moralities by using

almost real-life characters and often imposing
satirical personalities to most.
Noli Me Tangere & El Filibusterismo
• Written in a character-based structure,
highlighting its plot as direct associations
during the Spanish colonial rule, these
novels are written are revered as two of the
most prominent and prolific literary works
Source: https://owlcation.com/humanities/noli-me-tangere-and-el-
written by a Filipino. filibusterismo
 Q&A
W H AT D I D T H E N O V E L S
SUGGEST ABOUT THE GRIM
CONDITIONS OF THE
FILIPINO MASSES AND THE
CHRONIC ILLS OF
PHILIPPINE SOCIETY?
 Q&A
DID THE TWIN NOVELS
REVEAL ANYTHING ABOUT
R I Z A L’ S R E A L S TA N C E
REGARDING THE ARMED
REVOLUTION?
Mystery of the Cover
 Current Situation

This represents
Rizal’s life.
Past Life
 Upper Triangle
 Pomelo Blossoms & Laurel Leaves
 Silhouette of a Filipina
- believed to be Maria Clara or as the "Inang Bayan"
to whom Rizal dictates the novel
 Cross/Crucifix
- represents the Catholic faith as it rises above Inang
Bayan and Filipinos (shows dominance)
- it also symbolizes sufferings and death
- they represent faith, honor and fidelity, which are the values
Rizal aspires to be embodied by Filipinos
- pomelos are used to scent their air commonly during prayers
and cleansing rituals
- laurel leaves are used as crowns during Greek Olympics for
honoring the best
Burning Torch
- refers to the Olympic torch
- pertains to the awakening of Filipino consciousness
- it also sheds light to the text of the manuscript
Sunflower
- it symbolizes a new beginning
- it is compared to the happiness of which appears to be
always bowing down
 Lower Triangle
 Flogs (Suplina)
 Feet - it is used for self-flagellation
- it symbolizes the power of the friars
- just like the whip, this also symbolizes the cruelties of the Guardia
- it is placed on the base of the triangle (foundation) because without
friars, the Filipinos cannot stand on their own Civil
 Chain
 Shoes - it symbolizes slavery and imprisonment
- it represents wealth  Rizal's Signature
- it is also the footprints left by friars in teaching Catholicism
- it shows that Rizal experienced and witnessed the ills and abuses
 Hairy Legs that happened during his time
- it symbolizes the Legend of the Wolf  Bamboo Stalks
- the wolf shape shifts just like how friars hide their true nature and - it represents Filipino resiliency
character - despite the sufferings, Filipinos can still stand tall and firm

 Helmet of a Guardia Civil

- it represents the arrogance of those in authority

 Whip
- it represents the abuses and cruelties done by the Spaniards and
friars as depicted in the novel
Plain Cover
• It conveys a fresh start for the
Philippines and Filipinos without the
trace of symbols from the events and
situations in Noli Me Tangere.
 Q&A
D O Y O U B E L I E V E T H AT R I Z A L’ S I D E A L S ,
PRINCIPLES, AND WARNINGS,
E S P E C I A L LY T H R O U G H T H E
CHARACTERS IN THE NOVELS, ARE
STILL APPLICABLE IN THE PRESENT
P E R I O D W H E N A N A P PA R E N T LY C H R O N I C
SOCIAL AND POLITICAL CRISIS IN THIS
N AT I O N I S P O S S I B L E ?
 Q&A
WHICH IS THE SUPERIOR
O N E , N O L I M E TA N G E R E O R
EL FILIBUSTERISMO?
 Comparative Analysis
Noli Me Tangere El Filibusterismo
Historical Inspired from Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Sequel
Cabin
Background
Reunion of Filipinos in Paterno Residence (January 2,
1884)

Writing Period ½ of the novel (1884, Madrid) October 1887 (Calamba, Laguna) –
½ of the second half (1885, Paris) March 29, 1891 (Biarritz)
¼ of the novel (1886, Germany)
Revisions (February 21, 1887, Wilhelmsfeld)

Vicente Blasco Ibañez volunteered as proofreader and

consultant.

Publication March 21, 1887; Berliner Buchdruchkerei- September 18, 1891; F. Meyer van Loo
Actiengesellschaft Pres in Ghent, Belgium

Maximo Viola, Savior, loaned 300 pesos for 2,000 Valentin Ventura, Savior
copies
Comparative Analysis
Noli Me Tangere El Filibusterismo
Title Latin phrase “Touch Me Not” “The Filibuster”

“…words taken from the Gospel of St. Luke, signify do “dangerous patriot who will soon be on the gallows,
not touch me.” (Rizal to F. Hidalgo, March 5, 1887) or else a conceited fellow.” (Rizal to Blumentritt)

Gospel of St. John 20: 13-17

Dedicated To To My Fatherland GOMBURZA

An urgent call for the Filipinos to see for themselves Signify a movement severely punished by the
the social ills and do something for the country government; why revolution takes place

Chapters 63 38

Missing Chapter – Elias and Salome (after Chapter

XXIV)
Theme A romantic novel about society. “A book from the A political novel which discusses the reign of greed.
heart.” It discusses the different social maladies
(taboo subjects) that the Philippines experienced as
the only Spanish colony in Asia; like the colonial
mentality and unjust treatment of the friars to the
Indios.

“The use and abuse of the power”

Once, these novels were
stolen from the PNL
December 8, 1961