Noli Me Tangere Novel Analysis

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.