Noli Me Tangere Characters

Main Characters

• Crisostomo Ibarra: The main character, a Filipino who studied in Europe for 7 years, and wants to establish a school in San Diego.
• Maria Clara: Ibarra's sweetheart, the legitimate daughter of Father Damaso and Pia Alba, represents the Filipino woman of religious upbringing and orientation.
• Elias: Ibarra's mysterious friend, a master boater, and a fugitive.

Other Characters

• Sisa: A mother of Basilio and Crispin, who becomes insane after losing her sons, represents the unfortunates of Filipino mothers.
• Padre Damaso: A friar, also known as Damaso Verdolagas, and Maria Clara's biological father, an antagonist in the novel.
• Kapitan Tiago: Also known as Don Anastacio, a pessimistic and mad philosopher, who is misunderstood in many aspects.
• Doña Victorina: A woman who poses as a Peninsulares, trying hard to be rich, and abhors anything Filipino.
• Don Rafael Ibarra: Crisostomo's father, a concerned citizen, and property owner.
• Pedro: Abusive husband of Sisa, who loves cockfighting.
• Tandang Pablo: The leader of the rebels.
• Padre Sibyla: A Filipino friar.
• Basilio: The elder son of Sisa.
• Crispin: The younger son of Sisa.
• The Alferez: Chief of the Guardia Civil.
• Don Tiburcio: Spanish husband of Doña Victoria, who is limp and submissive to his wife.
• Doña Consolacion: Wife of the Alferez, another woman who is cruel and abusive.

Novel Information

• Noli Me Tangere: A novel written by Dr. Jose Rizal, motivated by the suffering of people under Spanish rule.
• The novel covers socio-cultural and political aspects of Philippine life.
• It was completed in Madrid, Paris, and Germany, and printed in Berlin.
• The alternative English title is "The Social Cancer".
• The novel's title "Noli Me Tangere" is a Latin phrase from the Bible, meaning "Touch Me Not" in John 20:17.

Novel Cover

• The cover features a cross, pomelo blossoms, and laurel leaves, representing faith, honor, and fidelity.
• A silhouette of a Filipina, representing Maria Clara.
• A burning torch, representing range and passion.
• A sunflower, representing enlightenment.
• Bamboo stalks, representing resilience.
• A man with hairy feet, representing priests using religion in a dirty way.
• Chains, representing slavery and imprisonment.
• A whip, representing cruelties.
• A helmet of the Guardia Civil, representing the arrogance of those in authority.