Noli Me

Tangere
 "Noli Me Tangere" is a Latin phrase that means
"touch me not" in English. It is a phrase that is
commonly associated with a biblical account in
which Jesus tells Mary Magdalene not to touch him
after his resurrection. The phrase has also been
used in various literary and artistic works.
In the Philippines, "Noli Me Tangere" is also the title
of a novel written by the national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal.
The novel, published in 1887, is a fictional story that
exposes the injustices and corruption in the Spanish
colonial government and the Catholic Church in the
Philippines during the 19th century. The novel played
a significant role in the country's struggle for
independence from Spain, and it is considered one of
the most important works of Philippine literature.
 Table Of Contents

01 02 03
The Writing of the The The Spirit of
Novel Synopsis the Noli

04 05
Reactions to Noli Artifact
Noli
 01
The writing of the
Novel
 The writing of the Novel
"Noli Me Tangere" is a novel written by Dr. Jose Rizal, which was published in
1887. The novel played a significant role in the Philippines' struggle for
independence from Spain, and it is considered one of the most important works of
Philippine literature. Here are some key points about the writing of "Noli Me
Tangere":
● Inspiration: Rizal was inspired to write "Noli Me Tangere" after witnessing firsthand the injustices
and corruption in the Spanish colonial government and the Catholic Church in the Philippines. He was
also inspired by the works of other authors, such as Harriet Beecher Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin.“

● Research: Rizal conducted extensive research for the novel, gathering information about Philippine
society, history, and culture, as well as the political and social conditions of the time. He also drew
from his own experiences and observations of the society around him.
 The writing of the Novel
● Writing process: Rizal wrote the novel while he was living in Europe, where he had access to
libraries and other resources. He wrote the novel in Spanish, which was the language of the educated
elite in the Philippines at the time.

● Publication: Rizal had difficulty finding a publisher for the novel, as it was seen as controversial
and subversive by the Spanish colonial authorities. Eventually, he was able to find a publisher in
Berlin, Germany, and the first edition of the novel was printed in 1887.

● Reception: "Noli Me Tangere" was initially met with mixed reactions. Some readers praised it for its
realistic portrayal of Philippine society and its criticism of colonialism and corruption. Others
criticized it for its controversial content and portrayal of the Catholic Church. Despite this, the novel
went on to become a seminal work of Philippine literature and a symbol of the country's struggle for
independence.
 02
The Synopsis
 The Synopsis
Act 1 of "Noli Me Tangere“ : begins with Juan Crisostomo Ibarra returning to
his hometown of San Diego after studying liberal arts in Madrid. He is the son of
Don Rafael Ibarra, who was imprisoned and falsely accused of heresy and
political treachery. Don Rafael died in the solitude of his prison cell during Juan's
time in Spain. Upon his return, Juan is reunited with his childhood sweetheart,
Maria Clara de los Santos, who has been waiting faithfully for him.

However, Padre Bernardo Salvi, the new parish priest of San Diego, casts a dark
spell on the two young lovers by revealing his passion for Maria Clara's physical
beauty. This causes some consternation among the lovers and their friends, as
Padre Salvi's eyes betray their longing for Maria Clara.
 The Synopsis
Juan later learns that his father's corpse was exhumed and hurled into the lake by
a frightened gravedigger. On All Souls Day, Juan visits his father's former
gravesite and confronts the gravedigger who confesses that his fear of eternal
damnation forced him to disobey his superior. Instead, he chose to cast Don
Rafael's body into the lake. An enraged Juan mistakes Padre Salvi for the culprit
and tries to beat him up, but the crowd prevents him. Padre Salvi, the peninsular,
swears to become Juan's mortal enemy.

Juan visits the lake and summons the body of the water to relay to his father's
spirit the grief of a son who was not there to bid him a proper goodbye. The ghost
of Don Rafael appears, but is unable to speak. Juan collapses in grief, but his love
for Maria Clara prevents him from indulging in self-pity.
 The Synopsis
To make amends, Juan decides to host a grand picnic in Maria Clara's honor.
Wanting to be civil, Juan invites Padre Salvi, but the priest's cold and calculating
indifference to Juan's dream of building a school for Filipinos causes the mood to
turn sour. However, Juan articulates the objectives of his school, and Maria Clara
supports him.

During the picnic, a crocodile from the lake attacks, but Juan and a mysterious
person manage to kill it. The mood becomes festive, and the guests enjoy
themselves until the end of the picnic, when Padre Salvi departs with a sneer,
knowing that his hold over the town remains strong.
 The Synopsis
Act 2 of "Noli Me Tangere“: takes place during the town fiesta of San Diego,
which is celebrated in honor of the patron saint, San Diego de Alcala. The focus
of this act is on the characters' relationships and the social dynamics of the town.

Juan Crisostomo Ibarra, the protagonist, attends the fiesta and is introduced to
various characters, including the wealthy Kapitan Tiago, the corrupt local
officials, and the priests. He is also reunited with his childhood friend, Maria
Clara, who is now a beautiful young woman.
 The Synopsis
During the fiesta, Ibarra learns about the rampant corruption and abuse of power
in the town. He witnesses how the local officials, including the friars, exploit the
people and enrich themselves at their expense. He also learns about the tragic fate
of some of the locals who dared to challenge the status quo.

Despite these revelations, Ibarra remains optimistic and sets out to establish a
school for the children of San Diego, which he believes will help uplift the
community and combat the ignorance and poverty that plagues it. He shares his
vision with Maria Clara and she is inspired by his ideas.
 The Synopsis
Act 3 of "Noli Me Tangere“: begins with the trial of Juan Crisostomo Ibarra,
who is accused of being a subversive and anti-Catholic. The trial is presided over
by the abusive and corrupt Captain-General, who is determined to make an
example of Ibarra.

During the trial, various witnesses testify against Ibarra, including the
hypocritical friars and corrupt officials who have a vested interest in maintaining
the status quo. Ibarra tries to defend himself and expose the truth, but he is
consistently silenced and denied a fair trial.
 The Synopsis
As the trial progresses, it becomes clear that Ibarra is a victim of a larger system
of oppression and exploitation, which is controlled by the Spanish authorities and
the Church. The trial is not about justice, but rather a means to maintain the
power and control of the ruling elite. Despite his efforts, Ibarra is ultimately
found guilty and sentenced to death. However, a last-minute intervention by a
mysterious benefactor saves him from execution and allows him to escape.

The rest of Act 3 focuses on Ibarra's attempts to flee the country and seek refuge
in Europe. He is accompanied by the kind-hearted Elias, a local laborer who has
also been victimized by the oppressive system. Together, they embark on a
dangerous journey through the wilderness, facing various obstacles and dangers
along the way.
 The Synopsis
As they journey, Ibarra becomes increasingly disillusioned and bitter about his
homeland. He realizes that his dreams of progress and justice are unlikely to be
realized in the Philippines, where the ruling class is firmly entrenched and the
people are powerless.

The act ends with Ibarra's departure from the Philippines, leaving behind a
country that is mired in corruption, poverty, and ignorance.
 03
The Spirit of the
Noli
 The Spirit of the Noli
"The Spirit of the Noli" refers to the underlying themes and messages in the novel
"Noli Me Tangere" by Filipino writer Jose Rizal. The novel is set during the
Spanish colonial period in the Philippines and portrays the social injustices and
abuses suffered by the Filipino people under Spanish rule.

The spirit of the Noli encompasses the themes of colonialism, religion, education,
and social class. One of the main messages of the novel is the damaging effects of
colonialism on the colonized people. Rizal criticizes the Spanish colonial system
and its exploitation of the Philippines, as well as the abuses committed by the
Spanish friars who held immense power over the Filipinos.
 The Spirit of the Noli
Religion is another central theme in the novel, particularly the corrupt practices
of the Catholic Church during the Spanish colonial period. Rizal exposes the
hypocrisy of the friars who preached about Christian values while committing
immoral acts and exploiting the native population.

Education is also a significant theme in the novel, as Rizal believed that

education was crucial in freeing the Filipino people from the oppressive colonial
system. He advocated for education that would promote critical thinking and a
sense of national identity, rather than the traditional education provided by the
friars that aimed to maintain the status quo.
 The Spirit of the Noli
Finally, the novel explores the social class divide between the Spanish colonizers
and the native Filipinos, as well as the different social classes within the native
population. Rizal portrays the struggles of the Filipino people and highlights the
need for social and political reforms to improve their lives.

Overall, the spirit of the Noli embodies Rizal's vision for a better Philippines, one
that is free from colonial oppression, corruption, and social inequality. His novel
continues to be a significant work in Filipino literature and a symbol of Filipino
nationalism and resistance against colonialism.
 04
Reactions to Noli
 Reactions to Noli
When "Noli Me Tangere" was published in 1887, it immediately became a
controversial novel. It exposed the injustices and abuses committed by the
Spanish colonizers and the friars in the Philippines. The novel was received with
mixed reactions, and here are some of them:

● Positive Reactions: Some Filipinos welcomed the novel with open arms,
seeing it as a beacon of hope that would awaken the masses to the injustices of
the Spanish colonial regime. They praised Rizal for his bravery and hailed him
as a hero for his courage in writing such a bold and daring work.
 Reactions to Noli
● Negative Reactions: The Spanish colonizers and the friars in the Philippines
were not pleased with the novel's content, as it exposed the abuses and
injustices they committed. They tried to ban the novel, and some even tried to
discredit Rizal and his work by labeling him a subversive and a troublemaker.

● Indifference: Some people were indifferent to the novel and its message.
They saw it as just another work of fiction and did not pay much attention to
its political and social commentary.
 Reactions to Noli
● International Recognition: "Noli Me Tangere" gained international
recognition and was translated into various languages, including English,
French, German, and Japanese. It inspired many other writers and intellectuals
who fought for social justice and equality.

Overall, "Noli Me Tangere" was a significant work that contributed to the

Philippines' national consciousness and paved the way for the country's eventual
independence from Spanish colonial rule.
 05
Noli Artifact
 Noli Artifact
One artifact related to the novel "Noli Me Tangere" is the first edition of the book
itself. The first edition was published in Berlin, Germany in 1887, and only 2,000
copies were printed. It is a significant artifact because it is the original version of
the book that sparked a revolution and awakened the national consciousness of
the Filipino people.

The first edition of "Noli Me Tangere" also contains original illustrations by

Filipino artist Juan Luna, which adds to its cultural and historical value. The book
was written during the Spanish colonial period in the Philippines, and its
publication was a significant event that challenged the authority and injustices of
the colonial government and the Catholic Church.
Noli Artifact
 Noli Artifact

Today, the first edition of "Noli Me Tangere" is a rare and valuable artifact that is
highly sought after by collectors and historians. It serves as a tangible reminder of
the struggle for Filipino independence and the enduring legacy of national hero
Jose Rizal, who wrote the novel as a call for social and political reform.
 A Picture
Is Worth A
Thousand
Words
Thanks