NOLI ME TANGERE: A Diagnosis of Filipino Society
COVER OF NOVEL
 Cross – sufferings
 Pomelo Blossoms and Laurel Leaves - honor and
fidelity
 Silhouette of a Filipina – Maria Clara
 Burning Torch – rage and passion
 Sunflowers – enlightenment
 Bamboo Stalks – resilience
 Man with Hairy Feet – priest using religion in dirty
way
 Chains – slavery
 Whips – cruelties
 Helmet of Guardia Civil – arrogance of those in
authority
IDEAS ON WRITING A NOVEL ABOUT THE PHILIPPINES
1. Luna’s Spolarium
Luna’s canvass conveyed the plight of the
vanquished and the pathetic suffering of the
human race.
2. Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe
This novel portrayed the brutalities
committed by American slave owners
against their Negro slave.
3. The Wandering Jew by Eugene Sue
Rizal used this novel as a model to arouse the
feeling against the existing Philippine
situation and at the same time communicate
to the Filipino ideals he wanted them to
embrace.
4. Gospel of St. John
“Noli Me Tangere” words was on the first
Ester Sunday on St. John(
Chapter 20: 13 – 17), St. John 20:17
when Mary Magdalene holds on Jesus
and he tells her not to touch him.
A PROPOSAL ON WRITING A NOVEL ABOUT THE
PHILIPPINES
 Filipinos were practically on unknown nation.
They were mistaken for Chinese in Spain. And
Japanese in Paris.
 Rizal encouraged his fellow expatriates to
call themselves “Indios Bravos” for them to
have a sense of national identities.
 Rizal presented a proposal on writing a novel
about the Philippines to the Circulo-Hispano
Filipino on January 2, 1884.
 Pedro Paterno published his novel entitled
“Ninay” with its subtitle “Costumbres Filipinas”
(Philippine Customs) that delved only on one
aspect of Filipino culture.
THE WRITING OF THE NOLI ME TANGERE
 Rizal started writing the Noli Me Tangere in 1884
while he was studying in Europe.
 He completed one half of the novel in Madrid
 In 1885 he was on Paris , he continued writing the
novel , finishing the one half of it of the second half.
 In Berlin Germany he finish the one on fourth of it.
 The last two chapters he finished it at the
Wilhelmsfeld in April – June 1886
 Chapter of Elias and Salome, this chapter was
deleted for some financial purposes
 The novel came off the press on March 21, 1887 with
the financial assistance of Maximo Viola.
 Fernando Canon where Rizal wrote his worries about
the publishing of his novel.
 February 11 1887 Noli was ready to print
 Berliner Buchdruckrei Actien Gessellschaft a
publishing that charged the lowest rate for
publishing Rizal novels
 300 pesos cost of printing for 2,000 copies
 March 29, 1887 – Noli Me Tangere came off the
press
Rizal dedicated Noli Me Tangere to the Philippines “To my
County “ runs as follows:
 Recorded in the history of human sufferings is a
cancer so malignant a characters that the least touch
irritates it and awakens in it the sharpest pains. Thus,
how many times, when in the midst of modern
civilization I have wished to call thee before me, now
to accompany me in memories.
 Now to compare thee with other countries, hath thy
dear image presented itself showing a social cancer
like a to the other!
 Desiring the welfare which our own, a seeking the
best treatments, I will do with thee what the ancient
did with their seek exposing them on the steps of the
temple so that everyone who came to invoke the
divinity might offer them remedy.
 And to this end, I will strive to reproduce thy
conditions faithfully. Without discriminations, I will
raise a part of the veil that covers the evil, sacrificing
to truth everything, even vanity itself. Since, as thy
son I am conscious that I also suffer from thy defects
and weaknesses.
RIZAL’S LETTER TO FERDINAND BLUMENTRITT
I send you a book…. It is the first impartial and bold
book on the life of the Tagalogs. The Filipino will find in it the
history of the last ten years (1877-1887)…. Here I answer all
the false concepts which I have been formed against us and
all the insults which have been intended to belittle us.
RIZAL’S LETTER TO MARCELO H. DEL PILAR
 I wrote my Noli Me Tangere to stir the patriotism of
my countrymen. I would be happy if among those I have
stirred, I shall find notable companions…..
PURPOSES FOR WRITING NOLI ME TANGERE
 To picture the past and the realities in the
Philippines.
 To reply to insults heaped on the Filipinos and their
country.
 To unmask the hypocrisy that have impoverished
and brutalized the Filipino people.
 To stir the patriotism of the Filipino people
CHARACTERS OF NOLI ME TANGERE
1) Crisostomo Ibarra - He has a liberal mind. Outspoken
and idealistic Patient and serious man He becomes
very violent and impulsive when he provoked. Ibarra
as Rizal’s reflection of himself. He symbolizes the
idealism of the privileged youth
2) Elias - He distrusts human judgment and prefers
God’s justice instead. He prefers a revolution over
the reforms. He represents the common Filipino. He
is said to be the personification of Andres Bonifacio.
3) Kapitan Tiago - He is said to be a good Catholic,
friend of the Spanish government. He symbolizes the
rich Filipinos who oppress their fellow countrymen.
4) Maria Clara - Religious woman she portrayed as a
faithful sweetheart, a good friend and an obedient
daughter. She had childish simplicity. She gets easily
nervous. Her character is related to Rizal’s childhood
sweetheart, Leonor Rivera. She symbolizes the purity
and innocence of a sheltered native woman.
5) Doña Victorina - An ambitious Filipina. She
symbolizes those who have a distorted view of their
identity. Wife of Don Tiburcio.
6) Don Tiburcio de Espadaña - Doña Victorina’s
husband. He is timid and rarely joins in conversation.
Makes living as a quack doctor. Represented the
ignorant Spaniards whose foolishness the other
Spaniards tolerated, often resulting in disastrous
consequences for the natives.
7) Pia Alba - A young, healthy and beautiful woman.
Very spiritual woman. By nature, a very merry
woman but she became melancholic when she
became pregnant. Pia Alba represents the women
who had been abused by the clergy and had been
silenced by their shame.
8) Gobernador General - He occupies the second most
powerful rank in the colonial government, second
only to the king Supported Ibarra against Padre
Damaso Represented the typical Governor Generals
of the Philippines who would often disdain the
power that the friars had
9) Alfonso Linarez - A young and smart Spanish lawyer.
Meek and shy. Padre Damaso wanted Maria Clara to
marry him but she refused. Alfonso Linares
represented the young Spaniards who came to the
Philippines hoping for a better life than in their
motherland.
10) Alferez - Dona Consolascion’s husband Shares rivalry
with the priest, particularly Padre Salvi and
frequently has violent fights with his wife
Represented the officials of the state who frequently
had power struggles with Church officials.
11) Pilosopo Tasyo - Known as “ Filosopo Tasyo”. He
spent most of his money on books and now lives in
poverty Rizal can relate to his character as his oldest
brother, Paciano Rizal. He symbolizes the learned
Filipinos. He is a pessimist.
12) Padre Hernando Sibyla - He is often cool and
intelligent, especially when correcting the other friar,
Padre Damaso, of the latter's ostentatiousness. A
Dominican friar who is the curate of Binondo and
had been a former professor at San Juan de Letran
college Symbolizes the liberal friar but would rather
stay in the background rather than incur the wrath
of other priests in power. He is aware of the
injustices done to the natives but would not do
anything to change it, as all he cares about is getting
his congregation in power.
13) Padre Bernardo Salvi - Manipulates people to get
what he wants. He is described to be very thin and
sickly. The Franciscan curate of San Diego, secretly
harboring lust for María Clara.
14) Padre Damaso - Talkative and cruel priest. He raped
Doña Pia, Maria Clara’s mother He continually
antagonizes Ibarra and prevents his marriage to
Maria Clara He symbolizes the Spanish friars of
Rizal’s time.
15) Sisa - Is the deranged mother of Basilio and Crispín.
Described as beautiful and young, although she loves
her children very much, she cannot protect them
from the beatings of her husband, Pedro. Personified
the suffering of the motherland. Named after Rizal’s
older sister, Narcisa.
16) Basilio - He is 10 years old. An acolyte tasked to ring
the church bells for the Angelus They represented
the innocent who were wrongly accused of crimes
they did not commit. Their story was based on the
true tale of the Crisostomo brother’s of Hagonoy.
17) Crispin - He is 7 years old, often talks about silly
things and is Sisa’s favorite son. An altar boy, he was
unjustly accused of stealing money from the church.
18) Doña Consolacion - Wife of the Alferez of San Diego
Often has violent arguments with her husbands
Pretends not to know Tagalog and often uses
Spanish words even if she does not the meaning
Symbolizes the Filipinos in our society who are
ashamed of their own race and nationality.
THE FILIPINO SOCIETY AS PICTURED IN THE NOLI
 enrich themselves at the expense of the
people.
 Honest and sincere officials were few.
 Corruption is rampant.
  Banditry became a way of life for many due
to the corruption and brutality of the Guardia
civil.
 Friars used the Catholic Church to amass
wealth and perpetuate themselves into
power.
 Filipinos were not spared in Rizal’s criticism of
Filipino society. He criticized his fellow
countrymen for their blind religious
fanaticism, corruption, passion for gambling,
subservience of the wealthy Filipinos toward
the friars and government officials and their
ridiculous efforts to distance themselves from
the common people.
GOOD QUALITIES AND VIRTUES OF THE FILIPINO
PEOPLE
 Modesty and devotion of the Filipino woman.
 Open-handed hospitality of the Filipino
family.
 Devotion of parents to their children and
children to their parents.
 Deep sense of gratitude of the Filipino
peasant.
RIZAL’S DIAGNOSIS OF FILIPINO SOCIETY
 Friars were the enemies of reform, progressive
and justice in the country because of:
1. The agrarian problem in Calamba between
the tenants and the Dominicans.
2. Influence of the Spaniard friars against
secularization of the parishes
3. Rizal`s overall assessment of the Philippines
political situations in 1886 and 1872
ROLES OF FRIARS
 Parish priest
 Tax collector
 School inspector
 Superintendent of public work by force labor
 Intelligence officer
 President of local boards
NOLI ME TANGERE AS A CHARTER OF FIIPINO
NATIONALISM
 It calls on the Filipino to:
 Regain self-confidence
 Appreciate his self-worth
 Return to the heritage of his ancestors
 Assert himself as a co-equal of the Spaniards
 Need for Education
 Dedication to the country
 Assimilating the aspects of western culture
REFORM M NEEDED BY FILIPINO:
 Radical reforms in the armed forces, clergy
and administration of justice.
 More respect for human dignity.
 Greater security.
 Less strength in the constabulary.
 Less privileges for organizations prone to
abuses and corruption.
FIRST REACTION TO THE NOLI ME TANGERE
Antonio Regidor
 One of those who congratulated Rizal for writing
and publishing the novel.
 He said that “the book is superior” and if Don
Quijote has made its author immortal because
he exposed to the world the sufferings of Spain,
your Noli Me Tangere will bring you equal glory.
Ferdinand Blumentritt
 Became Rizal’s friend thru correspondence
 Praised Rizal by saying”your work, as we Germans
say, has been written with blood and heart… your
work has exceeded my hopes and I consider myself
fortunate and happy to have been honored with
your friendship.
 Not only but your country, may feel happy having
you, a patriotic and loyal son. If you continue so,
you will be to your people one of those great men
who will exercise a determinative influence over the
progress of their spiritual life.
Filipinos became eager to read the book, but only very few
copies were available. Nonetheless, not only Filipinos took
time to find copy of the novel and read its content.
Archbishop Payo
 He was able to have a copy of the Noli and sent the
same to the rector of UST for examination on August
18, 1887.
 The examination conducted by the committee
constituted by rector submitted its report to the
archbishop of Manila on August 30, 1887
 It found that the book is heretical, impious and
scandalous in its religious aspect: unpatriotic,
subversive of public order, and offensive to the
government of Spain.
Emilio Terero
 Liberal minded government executive or governor
general.
 He summoned and informed Rizal of the unfavorable
reports about his novel.
 He even asked Rizal for a copy of the novel.
Fr. Salvador Font
 An Augustinian priest.
 He submitted a report on December 29, 1892 that
recommends the prohibition of the importation,
 reproduction, and circulation of the pernicious books
in the Philippines (Palma, 1949)
Nonetheless, the novel was not banned in the country,
notwithstanding the recommendation made by the
Permanent Commission.
ATTACK AND DEFFENSE OF THE NOLI ME TANGERE
The attacks on Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere were
not only confined in the Philippines but were also staged in
Madrid. (Ocampo, 1961)
Senator Fernando Luis Vida and Prime Minister
Praxedes Mateo Sagasta
Senator Fernando Luis Vida
 He became very critical of the Noli (Retana, 1907),
describing Rizal as a native, with a doctor of Medicine
degree.
The aforementioned Spanish legislators condemned the vovel
as anti-Catholic, Protestanst, and Socialist in orientation and
learning.
Vicente Barrantes
 He attacked Rizal in 1889 by describing Rizal as a man
of contradiction, whose criticisms of the friars and the
Spanish Regime were actually an insult to the Filipinos
themselves.
The First attack on the Noli in the Philippines came from an
anonymous letter signed by a friar. In this letter, Rizal was
labeled an ungrateful man.
Fr. Salvador Font
 Issued the official censure of the Noli.  His report on
the Noli consisted of four parts:
1. Attacks on the religion of the state
2. Attacks on the administration, the government
employees, and the courts
3. Attacks on the civil guards
4. Attacks on the territorial integrity of the Spanish
Kingdom
References :
https://www.slideshare.net/nasserlazaro/first-reactions-to-
the-noli-its-attacks-and-defenses
https://www.slideshare.net/ImYakultGirl/noli-me-tangere-
characters
https://www.slideshare.net/nasserlazaro/noli-me-tangere-a-
diagnosis-of-filipino-society
A direct attack on the Noli was Launched by Fr, Jose
Rodriguez by issuing pamphlets under the title Cuestiones de
Sumo Interes (Zaide & Zaide, 1999).
Rizal replied to these attacks by Fr. Rodriguez through the
satirical pamphlet entitled La Vision del Fray Rodriguez.
The satire ends with Fr. Rodriguez condemned writing
garbage articles for him to forever be a laughingstock to the
world.
In response to Fr. Font’s critique, Rizal wrote a satirical essay
entitled Por Telefono.
FR. FRANCISCO SANCHEZ
Rizal’s teacher in rhetoric at Ateneo. After
reading the pamphlet written by father Rodriguez, he
told Rizal that it was that pamphlet written with the
feet and not the Noli Me Tangere. He defended Rizal
publicly.
BLUMENTRITT
Rizal’s novel is a patriotic one. It was a truthful
and heartfelt effort to make Spain realize the need
to remedy the social ills plaguing the Filipino society.
The greatest defense of the Noli came from a Filipino priest.
This priest is Fr. Vicente Garcia.
 According to Fr. Garcia, since the book is a work of
literature, it should be judged that way and not in a
doctrinal level.
 He also said that “if reading the Noli is a mortal sin,
then Fr. Rodriguez had also committed a mortal sin.”
Marcelo H. Del Pilar
 Another defender of Rizal’s Noli.
 He wrote a pamphlet entitled Caiingat Cayo ( Beware
or Be Slippery as an Eel)
The novel Noli Me Tangere has not yet been judged rightly as
its effects are still being felt. (Guererro, 1998)
REPORTED BY:
JOHN ROSE EMILANAN
MA. ESTELA TAMAYO
https://www.slideshare.net/cudiaeduardo/chapter-8-
8731675
https://www.slideshare.net/carlcarlita/chapter-8-noli
https://www.slideshare.net/cudiaeduardo/chapter-8-
complete