Noli Me Tangere Novel Analysis

Study Notes

Noli Me Tangere Analysis

Noli Me Tangere is a novel by Jose Rizal, published in 1996, translated by Ma. Soledad Lacson-Locsin.

The Cover

The cover features a woman's profile and stature, representing the Motherland, for whom Rizal gave his life.
The cross, whip, and helmet symbolize the governing authorities in the Philippine soil.
The friar's foot represents tyranny, while the whip, helmet, and chain symbolize Spanish abuses.
Bamboo represents Filipino flexibility, and the flame represents light and hope.
The letter covered by the title is Rizal's letter to his parents.
The cross represents Catholicism, and the flowers represent Heidelberg.

The Title

The title "Noli Me Tangere" means "Touch Me Not" and is taken from the Gospel of St. John 20:16.

The Theme

The theme of Noli Me Tangere is the greed for power and the abuse of power.

The Preface

The preface compares the Philippines to a person suffering from cancer, with the social cancer being the abuse of power.
Rizal aims to expose the social ills of the Philippines through his novel.

The Characters

The round characters include Ibarra, Tasio, Sisa, Elias, and Ma. Clara, who possess depth and complexity.
The flat characters include Fr. Damaso, Fr. Salvi, the alferez, Dona Consolacion, and Dona Victorina.

The Characters' Personifications Yesterday and Today

Fr. Damaso, Fr. Salvi, and Fr. Sibyla represent the corrupt clergy.
Ibarra, Tasio, and Elias represent intellectuals and patriots.
Ma. Clara symbolizes innocence, submissiveness, and the passivity of Philippine society.
Sisa represents the vicious cycle of poverty.
Crispin and Basilio represent abused children and broken dreams.
Capitan Tiago typifies Filipinos who would go to great lengths to attain power and social status.
Dona Consolacion personifies the "inspiration" of the Alferezes and the civil guards.
Dona Victorina depicts the alienated Filipino woman bent on marrying one with prestige and high station in life.
Filosopo Tasyo is the misunderstood philosopher.

The Plot

The plot revolves around the characters and their struggles against the abuse of power and social ills in the Philippines.

La Indolencia de los Filipinos (The Indolence of the Filipinos)

Written by Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal to explain the alleged idleness of the Filipino people during the Spanish colonization.

Causes of Indolence

The establishment of the Galleon Trade, which cut off the Philippines' previous associations with other countries in Asia and the Middle East, leading to a decline in economic activities.
The implementation of forced labor by Spain, which extinguished the natives' love of work.
The lack of protection by Spain against foreign invaders and pirates, resulting in the natives being forced to become nomads and losing interest in cultivating their lands or rebuilding industries.
A crooked system of education, which focused on repetitive prayers and did not provide courses in agriculture, industry, or other useful subjects.
The bad example set by Spanish rulers, who despised manual labor and were corrupt.
The widespread promotion of gambling during the Spanish era.
A crooked system of religion, which taught that it was easier for a poor man to enter heaven, leading to a preference for not working and remaining poor.

Analysis

Rizal acknowledged that the Filipinos did not work hard because they were wise enough to adjust to the warm, tropical climate.
The indolence in the Philippines is a chronic malady, but not a hereditary one.
The natives were industrious and conducted business with other countries in Asia and the Middle East before the Spanish arrived.
The lack of unity among the Filipino people contributed to their indolence.
Without unity, the people did not have the power to fight against the hostile attacks of the government and other forces of society.

Conclusion

The cause of the indolence attributed to the Filipino race is Spain, which deprived the people of their dignity, education, and opportunities.
The Philippines remained a lifeless, dead country, simply existing and not living, due to the lack of progress and unity.
A person in the Philippines is an individual, not a citizen of a country, as stated by Rizal.

Description

This quiz analyzes the novel Noli Me Tangere, covering its cover and symbolisms, dedication, themes, preface, character personifications, and plot. It also explores reading approaches such as mimesis and symptomatic approach.