Noli Me Tangere

Reporters
Christian Almandres
Winnybie Nantes
Catherine Melgar
Andreana Mejia

Learning Objectives:
At the end of module you should be able to:
1. Appraise important character in the novel and what they present
2. Examine the present Philippine situation through examples mentioned in Noli Me
Tangere.

Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not)* by Jose Rizal features a range of characters who represent
various aspects of Filipino society during the Spanish colonial period. Here are some of the
most significant characters and their symbolic representations:

1. Crisostomo Ibarra – The protagonist, Ibarra is an idealistic young man who

has returned to the Philippines after studying in Europe. He represents the
educated Filipino who seeks reform within the Spanish system. Ibarra believes
in peaceful change but later realizes the challenges and injustices of the
colonial government.

2. Maria Clara – Ibarra’s love interest, Maria Clara is a symbol of purity,

innocence, and the idealized Filipino woman. However, her life is controlled
by societal and religious pressures, and she represents the struggles of Filipino
women who are expected to be submissive.
3. Padre Damaso – A Spanish friar who embodies the abuse of power by the church.
Known for his hypocrisy and arrogance, Padre Damaso represents the oppressive
nature of the Spanish friars, who controlled both the spiritual and secular lives of
Filipinos.

4. Padre Salvi – Another friar, Padre Salvi is cunning and deceitful. He lusts after Maria
Clara and uses his position for personal gain. He represents the corruption within the
clergy and the manipulative role they played in society.

5. Elias – A mysterious, strong-willed man who helps Ibarra. Elias represents the
oppressed Filipino masses. While he despises the abuses of the church and
government, he does not believe in violence but rather in seeking justice and fighting
for the common people.

6. Sisa – The tragic figure of Sisa is a loving mother who suffers at the hands of abusive
forces, particularly her husband and the authorities. She represents the plight of the
poor and the motherland, often neglected and exploited by those in power.

7. Basilio and Crispin – Sisa’s young sons, these innocent boys symbolize the oppressed
youth of the Philippines. Crispin’s tragic death and Basilio’s struggles highlight the
brutal treatment of the lower class by those in authority.

8. Capitan Tiago (Don Santiago de los Santos) – A wealthy businessman, Capitan Tiago
represents the middle class who collaborate with Spanish authorities. He is seen as
submissive and opportunistic, reflecting those Filipinos who support the colonial
government for personal gain.
9. Doña Victorina – A Filipina who pretends to be Spanish and despises her native
heritage. She represents colonial mentality and the tendency of some Filipinos to look
down on their own culture in favor of foreign customs.

10. Pilosopo Tasyo (Filosofo Tacio) – An elderly philosopher and intellectual, Tasyo is a
symbol of wisdom and free thought. He represents the intellectual Filipinos who saw
the flaws in the system but were often ignored or dismissed due to their progressive
ideas.

RIZAL BEING A NOVELIST José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda {Our
National Hero}“The youth is the hope of our future.”Noli Me Tangere and the sequel
novel El Filibusterismo (The Reign Of the Greed) are now considered two of the
greatest social document of all time. His works of fiction criticized and exposed the
social life of the Spanish Colonial in print that had brought tremendous effects to the
people of 19th century. It included also the abuses of the friars and the government
officialls in the Philippines.Rizal is a brilliant author and a great writer. He fought for
peaceful reforms through his writings. “Rizal’s fame as a novelist rests on his two
published novels – Noli MeTangere and El Filibusterismo.” The novel Noli Me
Tangere clearly depicts the current socio-political setting and struggle in the
Philippines before and during his time.
 PURPOSE OF NOLI ME TANGERERIZAL WRITE THE NOVELS NOT JUST FOR
ENTERTAINMENTBUT FOR NOBLE PURPOSE OF REDEEMING FILIPINOS
FROMTHEIR MESIRABLE CONDITION.
Another aim of Noli Me Tangere is to awaken the feelings of his countrymen, to depict the
series of a typical Filipino scene, to reveal the excellent gift of observations and to express
the sad conditions of society and the cry of many Filipinos.

Rizal as the Father of Nationalism.“There can be no tyrants where there are no slaves.”
1. To expose the malady affecting our country. 2 O B E C T I V E S
2. To awakenand develop the national-consciousness of the people
MaladyNationalConsciousnessa disease, a problem within a system or organization.the
awareness of national communality of a group of people,or nation.Another aim of Noli
Me Tangere is to awaken the feelings of his countrymen, to depict the series of a typical
Filipino scene, to reveal the excellent gift of observations and to express the sad
conditions of society and the cry of many Filipinos.

Jesus saith to her, Touch me not;for I am not yet ascended. To my Father; but go to my
brethren, and say to them, I ascend to my Father and your Father, and to my God and your
God. (KJV)
Latin phrase for”Touch me not “The technical name of a particularly painful type of
cancer He proposed to probe all the cancers of Filipino society that everyone else felt too
painful to touch.Inspiration from:
John 20:13-17 of the Bible Inspired By: Harriet Beecher Stowe’s“Uncle Toms
Cabin”Publication date: 1887Genre: Novel, fiction, Philippine history
Followed by: El filibusterismo Chapters: 63 and an epilogue.

https://www.scribd.com/presentation/727151086/Noli-Me-Tangere