Week 8

NOLI ME
TANGERE
Topic Outline
❑Facts and Character Analysis.

❑Conditions and Problem of the

Philippine Society in the Context of Noli
ME Tangere
Course Objective:

At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

❖Appraise important character in the novel and what they represent.

❖Examine the present Philippine situation through the examples

mentioned in the Noli
Noli Me Tangere
❑ "Noli Me Tangere" (Latin for "Touch Me Not" or "Do Not Touch Me") is a novel
written by José Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines. It was first published in
1887 in Berlin, Germany.

❑ The novel is a key piece in Philippine literature and played a significant role in the
country's history, particularly in its fight for independence from Spanish colonial
rule.

❑ The story is set in the 19th century and revolves around the life of Juan
Crisostomo Ibarra, a young Filipino who returns to his homeland after spending
several years studying in Europe.
❖ He dreams of improving the lives of his countrymen by using the knowledge he
gained abroad.

❖ However, he faces opposition from various sectors of society, including the

Spanish friars who wield significant influence over the country's affairs.

❖ Noli Me Tangere" is a social commentary that exposes the abuses and corruption
of the Spanish colonial government and the Catholic Church.

❖ Rizal uses the novel to depict the injustices experienced by the native Filipinos
under Spanish rule, including racial discrimination, forced labor, and the
manipulation of the country's resources for the benefit of the colonizers.
❖ The novel is considered revolutionary and was banned in the Philippines during
the Spanish colonial period for its subversive ideas. Its publication helped to
spark the Philippine Revolution against Spain.

❖ Rizal himself became a martyr for the cause of Philippine independence and
was executed by the Spanish colonial government in 1896.

❖ "Noli Me Tangere" has since been translated into numerous languages and
remains widely read and studied, both in the Philippines and around the world,
for its historical significance, literary merit, and social insights.
 TOPIC No 1
Facts and Character
Analysis in
Noli Me Tangere
➢ "Noli Me Tangere," a seminal work by José Rizal, is rich in characters who
embody the various facets of Philippine society under Spanish colonial rule.

KEY FACTS AND A CHARACTER ANALYSIS OF THE NOVEL'S

MOST SIGNIFICANT FIGURES

⎯ Publication Date: 1887

⎯ Setting: The novel is set in the Philippines, mainly in a fictional town called San
Diego, during the 19th century.

⎯ Themes: It tackles themes of colonialism, corruption, social injustice, and the

struggle for national identity and reform.
 CHARACTER ANALYSIS
Juan Crisostomo Ibarra
Background:

❑ The novel's protagonist, a young and idealistic Filipino who

studied in Europe. He returns to the Philippines hoping to
contribute to the progress of his country.

Analysis:
❑ Ibarra represents the educated Filipino youth of Rizal's
time, who are eager for reform and progress but face
significant resistance from the entrenched colonial and
clerical powers. His character undergoes significant
development, from naivety to a more profound
understanding of his society's realities.
MARÍA CLARA

Background:

❑ Ibarra's love interest, described as beautiful and pure.

She is deeply rooted in Filipino culture and is the
daughter of Capitan Tiago and Doña Pia Alba, though
later revelations complicate her parentage.
Analysis:

❑ María Clara symbolizes the idealized Filipino woman of

the era but also the Philippines itself, subject to
manipulation and control by foreign powers. Her tragic
fate reflects the compromised and suffering state of the
country under colonial rule.
PADRE DÁMASO

Background:

❑ A Spanish Franciscan friar who wields significant

influence. He is the former curate of San Diego and is
revealed to have a personal connection to María Clara.

Analysis:

❑ Dámaso represents the corrupt and abusive Spanish

clergy who exploit their power for personal gain and to
maintain control over the Filipino people. He is
antagonistic towards Ibarra and embodies the moral and
spiritual decay of the colonial church.
Elias:

Background:

❑ A mysterious and skilled pilot who befriends Ibarra. He

comes from a family that suffered greatly under the
Spanish authorities.

Analysis:

❑ Elias symbolizes the broader struggle of the Filipino people.

His tragic family history and his selfless actions throughout
the novel highlight the deep-seated injustices and the desire
for a violent revolution against the colonial regime,
contrasting with Ibarra's initially more reformist approach.
Tasio, the Philosopher (Don Anastasio)

Background:

❑ An older and wise man who is considered mad by many

in San Diego because of his progressive and often
unorthodox ideas.

Analysis:

❑ Tasio serves as the novel's moral and philosophical

voice, offering insights into the social ills and the potential
paths for reform in the Philippines. His character
represents the enlightened thinker who is marginalized by
a society resistant to change.
Other Characters:

Capitan Tiago (Santiago de los Santos):

❑ A wealthy and influential businessman who is María

Clara's father. He is emblematic of the Filipino elite who
collaborate with the colonial rulers for personal gain.

Sisa, Basilio, and Crispin:

❑ Sisa is a suffering mother whose sons, Basilio and

Crispin, represent the innocence and victimhood of the
native population under Spanish rule.
Other Characters:

Padre Salvi:

❑ The replacement curate of San Diego after Padre

Dámaso, harboring secret desires for María Clara. He
represents the sinister and hypocritical aspect of the
church's power.

"Noli Me Tangere" uses these characters to paint a vivid

picture of Philippine society under Spanish colonial rule,
critiquing the social injustices and exploring the
complexities of fighting for freedom and reform.
 TOPIC No 2
Conditions and Problem
of the Philippine Society
in the Context of Noli ME
Tangere
"Noli Me Tangere," through its narrative and characters, offers a
profound critique of the conditions and problems of Philippine
society under Spanish colonial rule in the late 19th century. José
Rizal masterfully exposes the social ills and injustices that
plagued his country, many of which contributed to the eventual
push for independence.
 CRITICAL ISSUES DEPICTED IN THE NOVEL

1. Colonial Exploitation and Racial Discrimination

The Spanish colonizers and their friars are depicted as exploiting the Philippines for its
resources, imposing heavy taxes, and treating the native Filipinos with disdain and racial prejudice.
The colonial government and the church worked hand in hand to maintain their control and superiority,
often at the expense of the indigenous population's rights and dignity.

2. Abuse of Power by the Clergy

One of the novel's central themes is the corruption within the Catholic Church and its clergy's
significant influence on political and personal lives. Characters like Padre Dámaso abuse their power,
manipulating the locals and interfering in secular matters, such as education and justice, to maintain
their authority and control over the populace.
3. Lack of Educational Opportunities

Rizal highlights the dire state of education in the Philippines, where access was limited, and
the quality was poor, especially for the native Filipinos. Education was controlled by the friars, who
often used it as a means to propagate their influence rather than to enlighten and empower the
populace.

4. Social Inequality and Class Struggle

The novel portrays a society deeply divided by wealth, race, and power. The Spanish and
mestizos (people of mixed ancestry) occupy the upper echelons of society, while native Filipinos are
relegated to lower status, often subject to exploitation and injustice. This class struggle is evident in
the interactions between characters of different social standings.
5. The Role of Women

Women in the novel, such as María Clara, are often idealized but are shown to have limited
roles and freedoms. They are subject to the whims and decisions of the men in their lives, reflecting
the broader societal view of women as secondary to men and confined to domestic roles.

6. Ineffectiveness of the Justice System

The justice system is depicted as corrupt and biased, serving the interests of the powerful and
the wealthy, particularly the Spanish and the friars, while ignoring or punishing the innocent and the
poor. This is seen in the wrongful accusations and the manipulation of legal outcomes to benefit the
colonial elite.
7. Resistance and Revolution

While not overtly calling for revolution, "Noli Me Tangere" sows the seeds of discontent and
the potential for resistance against the oppressive colonial regime. Characters like Elias represent the
growing unrest and the desire for radical change among the oppressed Filipinos.

Rizal's "Noli Me Tangere" was a catalyst for the Philippine revolution against
Spanish rule, inspiring Filipinos to fight for their rights and independence.
The novel remains relevant as a critique of social injustice and a testament to
the enduring spirit of the Filipino people.