Republic of the Philippines

COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION

BAAO COMMUNITY COLLEGE
San Juan, Baao, Camarines Sur
A/Y 2022-2023

MODULE 7

NOLI ME TANGERE

NAME: SINCO, MA VICTORIA COURSE&SECTION: BSED-2B

Subject: The Life and Works of Rizal Date: November 9, 2022

ACTIVITY: Character Analysis

Part 1. Ibarra and Elias

1. How different are the two from one another?

● The two are dissimilar in their backgrounds and social standings; Ibarra is a man
from a wealthy family who was educated in Europe, while Elias is a fugitive. They
are similar in that they have suffered social injustices and understand that
change is necessary. However, they have divergent views on accomplishing a
shift in society; Ibarra prefers systemic reform, whereas Elias recognizes that in
light of the native people's suffering.

2. What does Ibarra represent? Who can be his modern counterpart? Why?

● Ibarra represents socio-political change brought about through legal means and
civilized discourse. Ibarra is Rizal’s counterpart since they are both soft-spoken,
patient, compassionate, and idealistic.

3. What does Elias represent? Who can be his modern counterpart? Why?

● Elias represents a socio-political change brought about abruptly by force and,

quite possibly,bloodshed. Ellias is Bonifacio’s counterpart since they are both
fighting and seeking for freedom using their forces.

Part 2. Pedro Damaso and Padre Salvi

1. In what ways are the two friars similar/different?

● Both friars are corrupt and hypocrites, but their personalities and methods of
obtaining what they desire differ. Padre Damaso is more boisterous and
aggressive, preferring to fight his adversaries with words. In contrast, Padre Salvi
is more reserved and crafty, fighting his adversaries by deception rather than
confrontation. Both friars have considerable authority and influence, although
Padre Salvi is more belligerent with the town's alferez. Padre Dámaso at first
 seemed more villainous, openly racist and slightly against the Ibarras. Yet Padre
Salví is slowly revealed to be perhaps even worse, secretly plotting against Ibarra
and lusting after María Clara. They are both against the Ibarras and abuse their
power as a priest.

2. Provide proof in the novel for your claim

● Padre Damaso: The death of Ibarra's father, Don Rafael, prior to his homecoming,
and the refusal of a Catholic burial by Padre Damaso, the parish priest, provokes
Ibarra into hitting the priest, for which Ibarra is excommunicated.

● Padre Salvi: Ibarra's enemies, particularly Padre Salvi, implicate him in a fake
insurrection, though the evidence against him is weak. Then Maria Clara betrays
him to protect a dark family secret, public exposure of which would be ruinous.

3. What does Padre Damaso represent? Who can be his modern counterpart? Why? (it could be
a non-cleric)

● Padre Damaso represents the Spanish friars of Rizal's time.He constantly

provokes Ibarra and blocks his marriage to Maria Clara. He also raped Doña Pia,
Maria Clara's mother. This attitude of Padre Damaso, shows the abuse of the
friars to the Filipinos.

4. What does Padre Salvi represent? Who can be his modern counterpart? Why? (it could be a

non-cleric)

● Padre Salvi's name "Salvi" means salvation. In the novel he pretends to save
Maria Clara from the transgressions of being with Ibarra. He is a counterpart of
Padre Antonio Piernavieja, the hated Augustianian friar in the town of Bulacan in
Cavite who was killed by patriots during the Revolution.He had taken advantage
of his position to collect and forward to the Spanish authorities in Manila
information concerning the insurgents' preparations and plans

Part 3. Maria Clara

1. In the Novel, how was the character of Maria Clara presented?

● Maria Clara is a mestiza and the childhood sweetheart of the novel's protagonist,
Crisostomo Ibarra. In her early years, she was also referred to as everyone's idol,
innocent and pure because she grew up surrounded by smiles and affection. As
the daughter of Capitan Tiago, Maria Clara was portrayed as a woman of dignity
and wealth. She struggles throughout the story with his relationship with Ibarra,
including the breakdown of their engagement, issues with their love letters, and
the stunning admission that she is in fact Padre Damaso's daughter. The
character's frailty and illness are shown throughout the book and are used to
support her decision to join the nunnery after losing the love of her life.
2. What does the character of Maria Clara represent?

● Maria Clara personifies the stereotype of a submissive and meek Filipino woman
during that era. Although Maria Clara is portrayed in the book as a weak and
vulnerable woman, she also demonstrates faithfulness and strength by
overcoming obstacles. The fact that the persona is also Rizal's ideal
representation shows that she represents the stereotype that Spaniards placed
on Filipina women.

3. Was the character successful as the novel progressed?

● Her character became successful when Ibarra is still alive. But when Padre Salvi
was already working on a way to separate her from Ibarra, her character was no
longer successful, because her description of being pure and innocent was lost
when she betrayed Ibarra just to protect the dark family secret.

4. What was the role of women in the 19th century? How was this projected in the novel?

● Women in the 19th century are seen as 'the weak sex'. This particularly affected
middle-class women because they had no reason to leave home or work. They
also have no right to go to school and be a leader. The women in Rizal's novel
appear more as stereotypes than archetypes.

REFLECTION

Write an essay by answering the following questions:

a) What is freedom?

b) How is the lack of freedom portrayed in the novel?

c) How is the situation in the novel different from today?

We are all born with the right to freedom, which is unconditioned and unrestricted. Unless
you commit a crime that can restrict your freedom, no one else can take it from you. It is
something that all humans should enjoy in this world, and freedom comes with numerous rights
and privileges. Freedom is not obtained by simply being able to roam around freely; not being
held inside a cage or enclosure does not equate to freedom. Freedom should encompass rights
such as suffrage, freedom of the press, and freedom of speech for all and not for a privileged
few. Independence and the right to self-determination are also emphasized, indicating people
should not be enslaved or second-class citizens in their land. With freedom comes equity,
equality, and the upliftment of human dignity through various means to ensure that freedom is
attained.

The horrors of the frailocracy and the Spanish government are highlighted in the novel.
Their Spanish colonizers practiced racial discrimination, and social injustices were done to
Filipinos by their Spanish colonizers in their lands. Gender inequality was not addressed by the
patriarchal society that put women on the sidelines. This failure to improve dignity prevents
equity and equality; thus, freedom is not attained. Filipinos were not given sufficient education
as the school system was archaic and greatly influenced by religion. The atrocities of the
officials were not addressed, and the population did not have the right to engage in
conversations that were critical of the church and the Spanish government. Also, significant
censorship was impeding meaningful discussions and press freedom.

My opinion is that we Filipinos now are more free than ever before, equivalent to the 19th
century, as seen by our rights and liberties. Due to the preservation and recognition of our
sovereignty by all nations, we exercise our right to self-determination and are no longer
considered second-class citizens in our own country. The rights I mentioned earlier, such as the
ability to vote, press freedom, and freedom of expression, are today exercised and enjoyed by
Filipinos. However, I think that prejudice, racial discrimination, and unfairness are still around
today as a result of our colonial heritage. We still need to make reforms to the systems in place
to ensure that all Filipinos have access to freedom, including chances for education and
employment that don't limit their potential and give them the power to shape their own futures.