short essay about noli me tangere

Noli Me Tangere: How to Write Reflection Paper

Welcome to The Knowledge Nest, your go-to resource for insightful information and expert guidance. In this article, we will explore the process of writing a reflection paper on the masterpiece novel, Noli Me Tangere, written by Jose Rizal. Whether you are a student or a literature enthusiast, this comprehensive guide will provide you with valuable tips and techniques to craft a compelling reflection essay that reflects your understanding and interpretation of this iconic literary work.

Understanding Noli Me Tangere

Noli Me Tangere, which translates to "Touch Me Not" in English, is a powerful novel written by Filipino national hero, Jose Rizal. Published in 1887, this revolutionary piece of literature is considered a cornerstone of Philippine literature and an important work that shed light on the social and political climate of the time.

The novel tells the story of Juan Crisostomo Ibarra, a Filipino who returns home to the Philippines after pursuing education in Europe. As Juan delves into his exploration of the society he left behind, he uncovers deep-rooted corruption, religious hypocrisy, and social injustices. Through vivid characters and thought-provoking plotlines, Rizal effectively portrays the struggles and challenges faced by the people during the Spanish colonial era.

Why Write a Reflection Paper on Noli Me Tangere?

Writing a reflection paper on Noli Me Tangere offers a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the themes and messages conveyed by Rizal in his masterpiece. This process encourages critical thinking, self-reflection, and a deeper understanding of the intricate layers of the story.

When crafting a reflection paper, you will need to analyze the characters, themes, and societal issues presented in Noli Me Tangere. This requires a thorough examination of the novel, drawing connections to real-life situations, and expressing personal thoughts and insights. Through this process, you will develop a deeper appreciation for the work, while refining your analytical and writing skills.

Tips for Writing an Outstanding Reflection Paper

Now that you understand the significance of writing a reflection paper on Noli Me Tangere, let's explore some helpful tips to create an outstanding essay that captures the essence of the novel:

• 1. Read and Familiarize Yourself: Begin by thoroughly reading the novel, taking notes on important passages, character development, and key themes. This will ensure a strong foundation for your reflection paper.
• 2. Identify Key Themes: Noli Me Tangere addresses various universal themes such as social inequality, corruption, religion, and love. Identify the themes that resonate with you the most, as they will form the core of your reflection essay.
• 3. Reflect and Ask Questions: Engage in critical reflection about the novel. What are the moral implications of the story? How do the characters relate to real-life situations? Ask yourself thought-provoking questions that will guide your analysis.
• 4. Incorporate Personal Insights: A reflection paper is a platform to express your personal thoughts and interpretations. Share your unique insights on the events, characters, and overarching messages in Noli Me Tangere.
• 5. Support with Evidence: Just like any academic paper, it's important to support your claims with evidence. Incorporate specific examples from the novel to back up your ideas and arguments.
• 6. Structure Your Essay: Organize your essay coherently, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph should focus on a specific aspect of your analysis, building a cohesive argument.
• 7. Revise and Proofread: Take the time to revise your essay, ensuring clarity, coherence, and proper grammar. Proofread carefully to catch any errors or typos that may detract from your overall message.

Writing a reflection paper on Noli Me Tangere is an enriching experience that allows you to delve into the depths of this iconic masterpiece. By engaging critically with the novel's themes and messages, you will develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for Rizal's contribution to Philippine literature.

Remember, a successful reflection paper is not just a summary, but an exploration of your personal thoughts and insights. Follow the tips outlined in this guide, take your time, and craft a compelling essay that showcases your analytical skills and unique perspective.

Experience the power of Noli Me Tangere through the lens of your own reflection paper, and discover the impact this influential work can have on your intellectual growth.

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Literature Review Blog

Philippine Literature: Understanding The Message Behind Noli Me Tangere

April 16, 2022 June 7, 2022

Noli Me Tangere, one of the most well-known Filipino novels, is a work of fiction written by Jose Rizal. It was first published in 1887 and it is considered to be the most important novel in Philippine literature. It tells the story of two friends: Juan Crisostomo Ibarra and Elias who are both from wealthy families.

The novel was written in Spanish and English for different audiences. The Spanish version was meant for Spaniards residing in the Philippines while the English version was meant for an international audience. Noli Me Tangere has been translated into over 20 languages and it has been adapted into films and TV series as well as musicals.

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An Analysis of Noli Me Tangere and what it says about Philippine Culture

Noli Me Tangere is a novel by Jose Rizal that is considered an important part of Filipino culture. Its main theme is the oppression of the Filipino people by Spanish colonialists. It also touches on many other themes such as class struggle, education, and religion.

We can see how much this novel has impacted Philippine culture when we look at how it has influenced literature in the country to this day. The book has given rise to many films, TV series, and even comics that have been made in its likeness.

Hidden messages in noli me tangere

Noli Me Tangere is translated to “Touch Me Not” in English. It was published in Berlin, Germany in 1887. This novel was written by Jose Rizal as a response to the Spanish colonization of the Philippines and its brutal treatment of Filipinos.

This novel is about Crisostomo Ibarra who returns from his studies abroad, but he has an accident on his way home and goes into hiding for seven years before he can return to his family again. The novel is a chronicle of the life and times of Ibarra from his birth to death, including his struggles and dreams, his intense friendships as well as the ways he reconciles with society. The novel is not linear. The first six chapters are told in chronological order, but chapter 7 is set in 1892 and tells the story of Ibarra’s youth. You can read a summary of the novel here – Noli Me Tangere Buod 2022.

Noli me Tangere is also considered one of the most important novels in Filipino literature because it paved the way for Philippine independence from Spain and America.

The Mechanism Behind Noli Me Tangere’s Success as a Novel in Philippine History

Noli Me Tangere served as a catalyst for the Philippine Revolution against Spain. The novel is considered as a masterpiece of Filipino literature and has been translated into many languages.

The novel was able to spark the revolution because it was written in Filipino, which was then the national language of the Philippines. This made it accessible to more people who could understand and relate to its message, which encouraged them to take action against Spain’s colonial rule over them.

Noli Me Tángere

42 pages • 1 hour read

Noli Me Tángere (Touch Me Not)

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-6

Chapters 7-12

Chapters 13-18

Chapters 19-24

Chapters 25-30

Chapters 31-36

Chapters 37-42

Chapters 43-48

Chapters 49-54

Chapters 55-60

Chapters 61-63

Character Analysis

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

How does the opening dinner party help frame the novel’s conflicts?

María-Clara is often compared to the Virgin Mary by the narrator and other characters. How does this affect the reader’s perception of her? Is there more to her?

What is the significance of Father Dámaso and Salví’s ties to María-Clara?

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Related Titles

By José Rizal

El Filibusterismo

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Challenging Authority

Colonialism & Postcolonialism

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Noli Me Tangere Summary of the Entire Novel

Explore ‘ Noli Me Tangere ‘, the seminal novel by Dr. Jose Rizal , through our comprehensive summary of the entire narrative. This article navigates through the compelling tale of protagonist Juan Crisostomo Ibarra, depicting his resilience amid societal corruption and his dedication to reform. Experience the profound influence of this literary masterpiece on the Filipino identity.

If you are looking for a list of the novel’s main and minor characters, consider reading our post ‘ Noli Me Tangere Characters and their Characteristics ‘.

Table of Contents

Key takeaways, what is the historical significance of “noli me tangere” in the philippines, can you provide information on the literary style and themes of “noli me tangere”, are there any notable adaptations of “noli me tangere” in film, theater, or other media, the life and works of dr. jose rizal, related lessons.

Juan Crisostomo Ibarra returns to the Philippines after seven years of education in Europe. In honor of his return, a grand feast is hosted by Captain Tiago, with many notable personalities in attendance.

At this banquet, Father Damaso criticizes Ibarra. Rather than retaliate, Ibarra gracefully excuses himself, stating he has urgent matters to handle. Maria Clara, Ibarra’s enchanting girlfriend and Captain Tiago’s daughter, is visited by him the next day. Together, they reminisce about their relationship by revisiting old letters exchanged before Ibarra left for Europe.

As Ibarra departs from his visit with Maria, Lieutenant Guevarra discloses the tragic fate of Ibarra’s father, Don Rafael, who passed away the previous year. Father Damaso had accused Don Rafael of heresy and subversion, mainly due to his reported absence from church and confession. These allegations were triggered when Don Rafael defended a child against a tax collector, who accidentally killed the child.

In the aftermath, an investigation was conducted, during which several of Don Rafael’s secret adversaries levelled accusations against him. These events deeply affected Don Rafael, leading to his illness in jail and eventually his death.

Despite the heavy rain during the exhumation of Don Rafael’s remains ordered by an unsatisfied Father Damaso, the body was unceremoniously tossed into a lake instead of being relocated to the Chinese cemetery.

Choosing not to seek revenge, Ibarra carries on his father’s work by constructing a school with the help of Nol Juan. Just as the school is about to be inaugurated, Elias saves Ibarra from an assassination attempt, resulting in the death of the assassin, who was hired by a secret enemy.

When Father Damaso once again insults Ibarra, it is the belittling of his father that pushes Ibarra to attempt to stab the priest, but he is stopped by Maria Clara. As a consequence, the Archbishop excommunicates Ibarra from the Catholic Church. Seizing the opportunity, Father Damaso manipulates Captain Tiago to call off Maria Clara’s engagement to Ibarra, with rumors suggesting she is to marry Linares, a young Spaniard instead.

Following the lifting of his excommunication due to the intervention of the Captain General, Ibarra is unexpectedly arrested again, accused of instigating an attack on the barracks. During a party held at Captain Tiago’s house celebrating the impending union of Linares and Maria Clara, Ibarra manages to escape with Elias’ help.

Before his escape, Ibarra confronts Maria about a letter used as evidence against him in court. She vehemently denies any involvement and reveals that the incriminating letter was stolen from him in return for another that indicates Father Damaso as her biological father. Resigned, she affirms her love for Ibarra but maintains her decision to marry Linares for her mother’s honor.

Escaping with Elias, Ibarra boards a boat and navigates the Pasig River to Bay Lake. In an attempt to lose the pursuers, Elias jumps into the water, leading them to believe that the escapee they’ve shot is Ibarra.

On hearing of Ibarra’s supposed death, a despairing Maria Clara pleads with Father Damaso to let her enter a monastery, threatening suicide otherwise. Meanwhile, a mortally wounded Elias stumbles upon the mythical Ibarra forest, where he encounters Basilio and his dead mother, Sisa. In his dying moments, Elias implores the fortunate to remember those who have perished in the darkness.

“Noli Me Tangere,” penned by the national hero of the Philippines, Dr. Jose Rizal, is a novel that exposes the atrocities and abuses perpetrated by priests and the Spanish colonial regime in the Philippines. The story revolves around Juan Crisostomo Ibarra, who returns to the Philippines after seven years of education in Europe. He is initially welcomed by Captain Tiago, but soon faces criticism from Father Damaso. Ibarra learns about the unjust treatment and subsequent death of his father, Don Rafael, who was accused of heresy by Father Damaso.

Ibarra, instead of seeking revenge, decides to continue his father’s work by building a school. His life takes a turn when he is excommunicated from the church and later imprisoned for allegedly leading an attack on the barracks. His love interest, Maria Clara, is coerced into marrying someone else by Father Damaso. Ibarra manages to escape prison with the help of his friend Elias, but is believed to be dead after a chase.

Maria Clara, devastated by Ibarra’s presumed death, decides to enter a monastery. The novel ends with Elias, who is mortally wounded, reflecting on the sacrifices made for the country.

“Noli Me Tangere” is a poignant reflection on the social injustices of the colonial era and remains an important piece of Philippine literature .

FAQs on Noli Me Tangere

“Noli Me Tangere,” written by Dr. Jose Rizal, is considered a significant literary work in Philippine history. The novel played a crucial role in the Philippine nationalist movement by highlighting the social injustices and abuses during the Spanish colonial period. It is often credited with inspiring the Philippine Revolution against Spanish rule and is regarded as one of the most important literary works in Filipino culture.

“Noli Me Tangere” is written in a realist literary style, and it combines elements of romance, history, and social commentary. The novel explores themes such as social injustice, corruption, colonialism, and the quest for national identity. Dr. Jose Rizal uses vivid characters and intricate plotlines to depict the societal issues faced by Filipinos during the Spanish colonial era.

Yes, “Noli Me Tangere” has been adapted into various forms of media including films, stage plays, and operas. Some notable film adaptations include the 1961 film directed by Gerardo de Leon . In theater, a famous adaptation is the opera version of “Noli Me Tangere,” which was first performed in 1957 with a libretto by Guillermo Tolentino and music by Felipe Padilla de Leon. The novel continues to inspire adaptations and remains an influential work in Philippine culture.

Dr. Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines, was a polymath with profound influences in the fields of medicine, literature, and arts. One of his most significant contributions to Filipino culture is the novel “Noli Me Tangere,” published in 1887 while he was studying in Europe.

“Noli Me Tangere,” alongside its sequel “ El Filibusterismo ,” form a critical part of Rizal’s literary opus. His works expose the atrocities committed by the Spanish colonial regime and the Catholic Church in the Philippines. These novels played a pivotal role in shaping Filipino identity and inspiring the Philippine Revolution against Spanish rule.

Despite facing severe backlash and exile due to his bold narratives, Rizal’s dedication to unveiling societal injustices remained undeterred. Today, his works continue to resonate, highlighting his indelible role in Philippine history and literature.

Enjoyed this comprehensive summary of ‘Noli Me Tangere’? If you found it insightful, share this guide with your friends, classmates, or anyone interested in understanding this seminal work. By spreading the knowledge of our rich literary heritage, we can appreciate the profound impact of this masterpiece on our national identity. Don’t forget to check out our detailed character analysis in the post ‘ Noli Me Tangere Characters and their Characteristics ‘ and share that too! Happy reading and sharing!

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Noli Me Tangere

Noli Me Tangere is a Latin phrase that means “Touch Me Not”. In this novel, Rizal described in detail the sufferings of his countrymen under the Spanish rule.

Jose Rizal wrote the first sections of his novel Noli Me Tangere in 1884 in Madrid, Spain when he was still studying medicine. Rizal continued with this novel in Paris, France after he finished his medicine course. Jose Rizal finished the last sections of the novel in Berlin, Germany. Rizal drew his inspiration in writing Noli Me Tangere from a book entitled Uncle Tom’s Cabin which was authored by Harriet Beacher Stowe. Uncle Tom’s Cabin is about the life of  Negro slaves under the hands of powerful white Americans. The book centered on the sufferings, maltreatment and hardships experienced by the Negro slaves and compared the sad plight of the slaves with the unfair treatment experienced by his countrymen under the Spanish rule.

Jose Rizal first thought of gathering the written experiences of his countrymen against the Spanish rule and compile it with his thoughts to complete the book but later changed his mind and wrote the book just by himself. Rizal also consulted his friend Dr. Ferdinand Blumentritt on the issues he tackled in the book and the need to write about those issues.

Touch Me Not

Noli Me Tangere is a Latin phrase that means “ Touch Me Not.”  This phrase is mentioned in the Bible in the book of St. John the Baptist.

Rizal described the state of the country under the Spaniards as a disgrace, which provided more hardships to the life of the Filipinos. The detailed story about the sufferings of his countrymen were meant to awaken the Filipinos to the truth that was adversely affecting the society and which had not been talked about by the people most probably due to fear with the ruling Spaniards.

Ibarra and Elias

The main character of Rizal’s epic novel is Crisostomo Ibarra, a lad who studied in Europe. Ibarra’s wish was to build a school to ensure the bright future of the youth of his hometown. Ibarra was helped by a pilot and farmer named Elias who opened the eyes of Crisostomo Ibarra to know more of his country and its present problems.

Kapitan Tiyago, Maria Clara and Padre Damaso

Also one of the most important characters of the novel was Kapitan Tiyago who was described as a businessman who hails from Binondo. He was the step father of Maria Clara who was the conservative girlfriend of Crisostomo Ibarra. Maria Clara is the lady who also hails from the town of San Diego and was a child borne out of an affair between the Dona Pia Alba and Padre Damaso. Padre Damaso is a Franciscan priest who served for a long time as the head priest of the town of San Diego. He was replaced by Padre Salvi who had a secret admiration for Maria Clara.

Other Characters

The other characters of Jose Rizal’s novel Noli Me Tangere are Sisa, Basilio, Crispin, Pilosopo Tasyo, Alperes, Dona Victorina, Dona Consolacion, Kapitan Basilio, Don Saturnino, Don Rafael Ibarra, Mang Pablo, Dona Pia, Lucas, Linares, Don Filipo, Tarsilo at Bruno, Kapitana Maria, Padre Sibyla, Albino, Tinyente Guevarra, Iday, Sinang, Victoria at Andeng.

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Noli Me Tangere

By josé rizal, noli me tangere summary and analysis of chapters 1-4.

The novel begins by introducing Don Santiago de los Santos, generally referred to as Captain Tiago, who is hosting a dinner party. The reader learns that Captain Tiago lives in Manila, the capital of the Philippines. (Manila was officially founded by the Spanish in 1571, but settlements in the area date back to the 13th century.) The dinner is hosted in “quite a large structure,” suggesting that Captain Tiago is wealthy. Rizal writes that “if it were up to me, I would spare you a description of the house, but it is too important,” describing it as luxurious and opulent, decorated with paintings of both religious and bucolic scenes, large mirrors, and elaborate chandeliers. Rizal also notes that despite its lavishness, the furniture is uncomfortable, writing that “the owner of the house would never put his guests’ health before luxury.” At the table, the men and women are separated as in a Catholic church, underscoring the importance of religion. Both Filipinos and Spaniards are in attendance—note that the term “Spaniard” refers to anyone of Spanish heritage, regardless of where they were born, while Filipinos are of indigenous descent. ( Father Dámaso notes that Captain Tiago himself has indigenous heritage but “doesn’t think of himself as indio.”)

Rizal draws the reader’s attention to a group of men comprised of two friars, a soldier, and two laymen. The soldier, Lieutenant Guevarra, is characterized as quiet and a brusque speaker; the Dominican friar, Father Sibyla, as handsome, young, and serious; and the Franciscan friar, Father Dámaso, as lively and talkative. One civilian has black hair; the other is blond and young and talking with Dámaso. Dámaso dominates the conversation, interrupting his companion and raising his voice. They are talking about the subject of ministerial reforms, which turns into a debate about the nature of “indios,” a derogatory term for indigenous Filipinos. Father Dámaso, who has previously worked in smaller towns in the Philippines, holds racist views and believes that Filipinos are by nature “incredibly lazy,” while the blond man argues that calling them lazy is simply a way to excuse the “backwardness” of the Philippines by blaming its indigenous inhabitants rather than its colonizers. Father Dámaso goes on to characterize Filipinos are “vicious” and “ungrateful,” which the blond man objects to, stating that they are in the house of an “indio,” Captain Tiago. Dámaso argues that the blond man simply isn’t familar enough with the Philippines to understand its native people, revealing that the man has only been there for a few days.

Father Sibyla (“the Dominican”) becomes involved in the conversation, revealing that he also left a town where he served as a priest, but felt that he had to leave the position both for the good of the community and the good of himself, which angers Father Dámaso, who pounds on the arm of his chair and exclaims that “Either there is religion or there isn’t, and that’s that, either priests are free or they aren’t! The country is being lost… it is lost!” Father Dámaso also laments the support he believes the government provides “heretics” against the priests.

Part of the debate is about the burying of “heretics” in Catholic cemeteries. Father Dámaso feels that the priest has supreme authority and that even the Spanish king has no right to intervene or punish the priest for doing so. The soldier illuminates the situation further, explaining that a distinguished man accused of committing suicide was buried while Father Dámaso was away and defending the man, saying he was too honorable to commit suicide, which is viewed as a mortal sin by Catholic doctrine. The group eventually returns to its former peace, and two more guests, Doctor de Espadaña, who is Spanish and disabled, and his wife Doña Victorina, who is Filipina, and are greeted.

As chapter 2 begins, Captain Tiago arrives with a young friend, Crisóstomo Ibarra, the son of a deceased friend who has just arrived from Europe. Ibarra is described as tall and, like Captain Tiago, he is of mixed Spanish and Filipino descent. Ibarra greets Father Dámaso as his village priest and “a close friend of my father’s,” but Father Dámaso denies that he was friends with his father, shocking Ibarra. Lieutenant Guevara reveals that Ibarra is the son of Don Rafael Ibarra, who he characterizes as deeply honorable. Ibarra states that he has been away from the Philippines, his home country, for seven years and introduces himself as Juan Crisóstomo Ibarra y Magsalin.

Though he is hosting the party, Captain Tiago doesn’t sit down or eat, according to social customs. He states that the party is in honor of Ibarra’s arrival and urges him to instead take the last seat. Ibarra reveals that he spent the last two years in Germany and Poland, where he was unreachable by telegram, and does not know how or when his father died. He is fluent in multiple languages, including English, and did not use Spanish much while abroad, except while in Spain. Ibarra states that in Europe, he learned that every country’s prosperity, or lack thereof, is proportionate to its freedoms and the sacrifices of its ancestors, which Father Dámaso dismisses as something that even a schoolboy knows. Ibarra is polite in response but announces that he is leaving soon after, though Captain Tiago wants him to stay longer to see his fiancée, Captain Tiago’s daughter María Clara. Once he leaves, the blond man says that people like Ibarra “can’t stand to be set to rights by the priest,” and says that he believes the government shouldn’t allow young people to travel to Europe.

In chapter 4, the narrative returns to Ibarra, who is walking through the city when Lieutenant Guevara finds him and tells him what happened to his father: he died in jail, which astonishes Ibarra, who is reluctant to believe that his father was a prisoner. “In the Philippines you are not considered to be honorable unless you have been to jail,” Lieutenant Guevara responds, explaining that the elder Ibarra was very wealthy and had many enemies among the priests and the Spanish. Father Dámaso then accused Rafael Ibarra of not going to confession, which was true, but the men had previously been friends. (Rafael Ibarra felt it was wrong to believe that God would pardon a crime simply because it was confessed if true repentance did not occur, so he followed his own moral compass.) He was then imprisoned for inadvertently killing a tax collector who beat up a young boy, at which point all of his enemies began slandering him as a “heretic” and “subversive,” two very serious accusations. Though Lieutenant Guevara tried to help Ibarra’s father by appealing the case, Ibarra’s father died in prison before he could be exonerated.

From the start of the novel, the significant role of priests in the community is clear. Multiple clergymen are present at the dinner full of prominent people, and Father Dámaso dominates the conversation. Furthermore, Father Dámaso is openly prejudiced against indigenous Filipinos, indicating a disconnect between him (and perhaps the church as a whole) and the people who make up the majority of the country’s population. Rizal also portrays Father Dámaso as ignorant, not caring to learn Tagalog (the Filipino language) despite spending two decades living in small communities in the Philippines. The foreigner who argues with him is never named, but he provides a powerful counterpoint to Father Dámaso’s views, pointing out that the backwardness of the Philippines could also be blamed on the Spanish. He doesn’t challenge the idea that the Philippines are backward, however—he just blames it on something else.

Father Dámaso is so confident in the church’s power that he argues the government should not be able to interfere with its affairs, which is illustrated by his viewpoint on the cemetery matter. The lieutenant—who is employed by the government—disagrees strongly, providing the first example of the tension between the Catholic clergy and the government, one of the novel’s central conflicts.

It is not immediately clear why Father Dámaso greets Ibarra so coolly, considering that Ibarra believes they have a friendly relationship. In contrast, the lieutenant greets Ibarra affectionately, which hints that the conflict between Ibarra and Father Dámaso has to do with the earlier debate and aligns Ibarra with the government against the church, though he does not yet realize his position. Indeed, Ibarra is a controversial figure at the dinner for reasons neither he nor the reader yet understand. Father Dámaso furthers the tension between him and Ibarra when he scoffs at the education Ibarra has obtained, which indicates his lack of concern for education as a whole, something that will be relevant later in the novel. Yet the blond man’s belief that Filipinos would be better off if they never visited Europe shows that Ibarra’s education has, in fact, had a powerful impact on him, giving him a new perspective on life at home. The blond man wants Filipinos to remain submissive, which their isolation in the Philippines encourages.

Lieutenant Guevara’s story about Ibarra’s father illuminates the systems of power and hierarchy in Philippine society. The church exerts a powerful influence: Don Rafael Ibarra’s refusal to attend confession makes him socially isolated and indirectly leads to his death, and being slandered as a “heretic” increases his punishment. Furthermore, social status and ethnic background are both very important, and inextricably tied together. When Don Rafael kills a Spanish tax collector, it’s an especially serious crime.

Noli Me Tangere Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Noli Me Tangere is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Binanggit ni Don Rafael sa kanyang huling ipinadalang liham sa kanyang anak na nag-aaral noon sa Europa na huwag itong mag-alala at magtaka kung hindi na raw ito makakasulat sa kanya dahil magiging abala ito sa mga gawain. Ano ang tunay na dahilan kung

I'm sorry, you will need to post your question in English.

Ano ang mangyayari kapag ikaw ay natawag na filibustero

Sorry, I don't understand your question.

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Study Guide for Noli Me Tangere

Noli Me Tangere study guide contains a biography of José Rizal, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Noli Me Tangere
• Noli Me Tangere Summary
• Character List

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Noli Me Tangere by Jose Rizal Sample essay

PURPOSE OF THE TEXT: Jose Rizal wrote Noli Me Tangere during the time of the Spanish occupation in the Philippines. The novel is a reflection of what the Filipinos were going through during that time. He wrote it to open the eyes of the Filipinos to the reality that they were being oppressed. Rizal’s book persistently unmasks contemporary Spaniards in the Philippines of every kind. He exposes corruption and brutality of the civil guards which drive good men to crime and banditry. He focuses on an administration crawling with self-seekers, out to make their fortune at the expense of the Filipinos, so that the few officials who are honest and sincere are unable to overcome the treacherous workings of the system, and their efforts to help the country often end up in frustration or in self-ruin.The Noli is Rizal’s exposé of corrupt friars who have made the Catholic religion an instrument for enriching and perpetuating themselves in power by seeking to mire ignorant Filipinos in fanaticism and superstition. According to Rizal, instead of teaching Filipinos true Catholicism, they control the government by opposing all progress and persecuting members of the ilustrado unless they make themselves their servile flatterers.

STYLISTIC FEATURES: Rizal exaggerated a bit, as in his portrayal of characters like the friars Damaso, Salvi, and Sibyla; the two women who were preoccupied with prayers and novenas, and, the Espadañas but, on the whole, the novel follows the basic rules of realism. Humor worked best where a more serious presentation of the general practices of religion during that time (and even up to present time) would have given the novel a darker and pessimistic tone. Rizal’s description of the lavish fiesta showed the comic antics at church and the ridiculous expense for one day of festivities.

TONE: The superstitious and hypocritical fanaticism of many who consider themselves religious people; the ignorance, corruption, and brutality of the Filipino civil guards; the passion for gambling unchecked by the thought of duty and responsibility; the servility of the wealthy Filipino towards friars and government officials; the ridiculous efforts of Filipinos to dissociate themselves from their fellowmen or to lord it over them–all these are ridiculed and disclosed. Nevertheless, Rizal clearly implies that many of these failings are traceable to the misguided policy of the government and the questionable practices of the friars.

TITLE: “Noli me tangere” is a Latin phrase that Rizal took from the Bible, meaning “Touch me not.” In John 20:13-17, the newly-risen Christ says to Mary Magdalene: “Touch me not; I am not yet ascended to my Father, but go to my brethren, and say unto them I ascend unto my Father and your Father, and to my God and your God.”

STORY/CONTENT: The first of two canonical 19th-century novels, 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.

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. 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.

CHARACTERS: * Juan Crisostomo Ibarra, the main character, is a young illustrado who has been studying in Europe for 7 years according to the wishes of his father. Influenced by his father, his studies and his observations of other countries, he has developed patriotic and progressive ideas which he wishes to put into action in his country. He is very much like Rizal himself. Quoted as saying that to achieve liberation, they need the “catuiran ng lakas” , or the use of force. * María Clara de los Santos is Ibarra’s faithful, pure and modest sweetheart. She is the portrait of an ideal woman, partly drawn perhaps from Rizal’s love Leonor Rivera. * Padre Dámaso was once a good friend of Ibarra’s father. He was, until the start of the novel, the domineering and condescending curate of San Diego, where the property of the Ibarra family is located, and continues to be a powerful figure in San Diego. Biological father of María Clara, as he takes advantage of Doña Pia, mother of María Clara and wife of Capitán Tiago

* Padre Salví is the new parish priest of San Diego, who lusts after Maria Clara. * Elías, a common laborer whose family has suffered much, dreams of revolution. He may be said to represent another side of Rizal. * Pilosopong Tasio is an old man who received an excellent education in his youth but was persuaded into discontinuing his studies, which he was told would lead him away from his faith. The character is based on Rizal’s older brother, Paciano. * Sisa is the mother of two young boys who disappear. With her mother love, her grief and her frustration, she is thought to represent the suffering motherland. * Crispín- brother of Basilio. Dies at the hands of the “sacristan mayor” and Padre Salví. * Basilio- brother of Crispín and son of Sisa and Pedro. Last person to see Elías alive.

* Capitán Santiago de los Santos – also known as Capitan Tiago, he accepts María Clara as his own daughter. * Doña Victorina is a native woman who desperately tries to look like a Spaniard. She was so determined to marry a Spaniard that she was willing to settle, late in life, for a toothless stuttering man. She convinces him to pretend to be a doctor to raise their status and society. * Don Tiburcio is a former customs official who pretended to be a prestigious medical doctor in town as his bread and butter. He is the lame, stuttering husband of Doña Victorina. * Doña Consolación is the muse of the cuartel. She is the violent wife of the Alferez and has treated Sisa cruelly. * Alfonso Linares is the godson of Padre Damaso and a distant cousin of Don Tiburcio from Spain. He is hard pressed to be Maria Clara’s fiance instead of Ibarra. * Padre Sibyla is a Dominican friar who is the curate of Binondo. His character is a stark contrast to that of Padre Damaso.

PROBLEM: There was a cancer in the time of our national hero Jose Rizal that he elaborately depicted through his novel “Noli Me Tangere,” metastasized in every fiber of Philippine society back then, having its roots in the prolonged oppression of the Filipinos by our Spanish colonizers. Today, we see cancer in the Philippines again, and our people and environment have shriveled badly from this cancer, which is on its terminal stage.

What is the main problem with the Philippines? Put in another way, what is Philippine society’s cancer today? The main problem with the Philippines can be seen from the perspectives of different sectors; and thus, there can be many answers to this question.

From the point of view of the citizens, the main problem is the dirty politics of traditional politicians. There is no end to election fraud and accusations of election fraud. Then there are also politicians in power who bicker and accuse endlessly. Some even kill their political opponents, and the murders they commit to keep themselves in power are barbaric. Thus, our nation is in a constant mode of being destabilized from all sides – from those in power and those who are not in power.

From the point of view of entrepreneurs or the market, the main problem is graft and corruption in government offices. It has become abnormal not to pay “under-the-table” to get a business permit or a government clearance.

From the point of view of politicians, the main problem is a personality-based politics, wherein celebrities without any platform nor preparation for public service win by a landslide at the polls and end up mismanaging their public office and the public funds.

From the point of view of public administration employees or civil servants, the main problem is their low pay such that they need to earn extra from extortions and sideline-selling to adequately provide for their families.

From the point of view of the Church, the main problem is the Government’s interference on matters of faith as it pushes bills that undermine morality and one’s religious beliefs, although advocates of those bills see them as timely remedies to socio-economic problems.

Just like the Indian tale of “The Blind Men and The Elephant,” wherein not one of the six blindmen saw the elephant, but rather one claimed it was a wall, another a spear, another a snake, another a tree, another a fan, and the last one a rope, because each of them experienced only a part of the elephant and not its entirety, so also each sector of our society see but facets and symptoms of the cancer that has kept us way behind the nations that used to learn at our heels.

What is our cancer? What cannot we touch? Rizal’s writings and martyrdom sparked the hearts of the Filipinos towards a fight for freedom from our foreign oppressors. But ironically, whereas our people’s struggles before were against foreign domination, our modern-day “Noli Me Tangere” is about the Filipinos’ struggle against fellow Filipinos entrusted with the role to lead and serve the nation. This is our cancer today: Filipinos are against fellow Filipinos.

MESSAGE: Noli Me Tangere or Touch Me Not… was the a controversial novel of Rizal aside from the predicaments he encountered just to publish this novel. He did it to ridicule the friars and let the Filipinos be awoke of the oppression and learn to fight. It contained all the immoralities of the spaniards. So I think the messege we can get from it is learn how to fight in a peaceful manner, fighting doesnt need a bolos, a sumpit or lantakas but it can also be possible using your pen, your wisdom. As a Filipino we should learn to be united in deeds and be educated and learn to argue rationally.

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