Noli Me Tangere

What is the meaning of Noli Me Tangere?

The Noli Me Tangere
• The Spanish colonization of the Philippines—which began in
1521—is the driving force of Noli Me Tangere a novel that
critiques the ways in which colonialism leads to corruption
and abuse.
• The book itself predates the Philippine Revolution of 1896
by almost ten years, meaning that its rejection of Spanish
oppression was groundbreaking and unprecedented in
Filipino society.
• Rizal borrows the novel’s Latin title from Jesus telling Mary
Magdalene “Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my
Father” (the Latin phrase for “touch me not” is “noli me tangere”)
from the Gospel of John in The New Testament.

• Rizal scholars have pointed out similarities between St. John and
Noli Me Tangere’s Father Salví, suggesting that this parallel may
account for the novel’s borrowed title.
• The title could also refer to an antiquated name for a type of
cancer that is excruciatingly painful and sensitive to touch.
• the novel’s title alludes to its political nature, asserting that the
Philippines is suffering from a “social cancer.”
• Noli Me Tangere is also a precursor to postcolonial literature, a
genre that explores the negative influence of colonization and the
unfortunate aftereffects of decolonization, which often further
destabilized cultures that had come to rely on the flawed but
strong presence of foreign governments.
What is the meaning of Noli Me Tangere cover?
What is the meaning of Noli Me Tangere cover?
• Noli Me Tangere (translated as
Touch Me Not) is a novel
written by José Rizal which
served as an eye opener and
wake up call to the Filipinos
during his time. It was
published on the year 1887.
Why is it Rizal designed the title to be placed

diagonally?
Why is it Rizal designed the title to be placed diagonally?

Rizal also purposely designed the title to be placed diagonally so that it can
divide an upper and lower triangle

Upper Triangle This represents Rizal's This

represents Rizal's past life currents situations.
What does Silhouette of a Filipina symbolizes?
• Silhouette of a Filipina
- believed to be Maria Clara or as the "Inang Bayan" to
whom Rizal dictates the novel
What does Cross/Crucifix symbolizes?
What does Cross/Crucifix symbolizes?
• represents the Catholic faith as it rises above Inang Bayan
and Filipinos (shows dominance)
• it also symbolizes sufferings and death
What does Pomelo Blossoms & Laurel Leaves
- 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 bestsymbolizes?
What does Burning Torch symbolizes?
What does Burning Torch symbolizes?
- refers to the Olympic torch
- pertains to the awakening of Filipino consciousness
- it also sheds light to the text of the manuscript
What does Sunflower symbolizes?
What does Sunflower symbolizes?
- it symbolizes a new beginning
- it is compared to the happiness of which appears to be always
bowing down
What does feet symbolizes?
What does feet symbolizes?
-it symbolizes the power of the friars
- it is placed on the base of the triangle (foundation) because
without friars, the Filipinos cannot stand on their own
What does shoes symbolizes?
What does shoes symbolizes?
- it represents wealth
- it is also the footprints left by friars in teaching Catholicism
What does hairy leg symbolizes?
What does hairy legs symbolizes?
Hairy Legs
- it symbolizes the Legend of the Wolf
- the wolf shape shifts just like how friars hide their true nature
and character
What does Helmet of a Guardia Civil symbolizes?
What does Helmet of a Guardia Civil symbolizes?
- it represents the arrogance of those in authority
What does Whip symbolizes?
What does Whip symbolizes?
- it represents the abuses and cruelties done by the Spaniards
and friars as depicted in the novel
What does Flogs (Suplina) symbolizes?
What does Flogs (Suplina) symbolizes?

-it is used for self-flagellation

- just like the whip, this also symbolizes the
cruelties of the Guardia Civil
What does Chain symbolizes?
What does Chain symbolizes?
- it symbolizes slavery and imprisonment
What does Rizal's Signature symbolizes?
What does Rizal's Signature symbolizes?
- it shows that Rizal experienced and witnessed the ills and
abuses that happened during his time
What does Rizal's Bamboo Stalks symbolizes?
What does Rizal's Bamboo Stalks symbolizes?

- it represents Filipino resiliency

- despite the sufferings, Filipinos can still stand tall and firm
Noli Me Tangere Synopsis
 Noli Me Tangere Synopsis
• Noli Me Tangere revolves around Crisostomo Ibarra who, after a seven-
year stay in Europe to study, comes home to his town of San Diego,
brimming with the desire to contribute to the development of the
townspeople. More specifically, as a reformist, he aims to make education
accessible to more people. His idealism, however, cannot bear fruit
because of insidious forces bent on destroying him.
 Noli Me Tangere Synopsis
• Ibarra learns that his father, Don Rafael, had been embroiled in a conflict
with Padre Damaso, who eventually causes his humiliation and death. It is
not only political power that the friar wields; he has also used power to
seduce the mother of Maria Clara, Ibarra' s sweetheart. Ibarra has another
enemy in the person of Padre Salvi, who lusts after Maria Clara. It is also
Padre Salvi who almost causes Ibarra ' s death at the groundbreaking
ceremonies for the school.
 Noli Me Tangere Synopsis
• Things come to a head when Ibarra is implicated in a failed uprising
instigated by Padre Salvi. The young man is imprisoned but is eventually
rescued by Elias, whose life Ibarra has saved in the past. As the novel
ends, the thoroughly disillusioned Ibarra sees a bleak future. (Reyes,
kapitbisig.com)
Noli Me Tangere Characters
• Juan Crisóstomo Ibarra y Magsalin (Ibarra)
Juan Crisóstomo Ibarra y Magsalin (Ibarra)
• A wealthy young man of mixed Spanish and Filipino
ancestry who has recently returned to the Philippines from
Europe after spending seven years studying abroad. Ibarra is
cultured and well-respected, though the friars in his
hometown of San Diego are suspicious of him.
Maria Clara
María Clara

A woman well-regarded in San Diego for her high social station. Having
grown up together as childhood friends,
Father Damaso
Father Dámaso
• A Spanish friar living in the Philippines, Father Dámaso is an
arrogant and pedantic priest who, despite having lived
amongst Filipinos and hearing their confessions for over
twenty years, is barely able to speak or understand Tagalog,
the country’s native language. A shameless loudmouth, he is
unafraid of slandering nonreligious citizens who he thinks
undermine his power.