Noli Me Tangere Quiz

A novel written by José Rizal, first published in 1887 in Berlin, Germany, criticizing Spanish colonization and social issues in the Philippines.

The main character in Noli Me Tangere, who studied in Europe and returns to his hometown to bring progress.

Ibarra's fiancée in Noli Me Tangere, known for her beauty and kindness.

A Franciscan friar who is a prominent antagonist in Noli Me Tangere, known for his cruelty and harsh words.

A Filipino businessman and cabeza de barangay (head of the village) in Noli Me Tangere.

The term used in Noli Me Tangere to refer to the head of a barangay or village in the Philippines.

A friend of Rizal who provided financial support to publish Noli Me Tangere.

The name of the printing press in Berlin, Germany, where Noli Me Tangere was printed.

The original Latin title of Noli Me Tangere, meaning 'Touch me not'.

The process of translating a text from one language to another.

A mysterious ally of Crisóstomo Ibarra who desires to liberate the Philippines from Spanish rule.

An intelligent and idealistic character who criticizes the government's injustices through cryptic writings.

A Filipino woman who aspires to be Spanish, marrying Don Tiburcio, a Spanish official.

The deranged mother of Basilio and Crispín, who is a victim of her abusive husband's cruel treatment.

Sisa's 10-year-old son who experiences the tragedy of his brother's death and his mother's insanity.

Sisa's 7-year-old son, an altar boy, wrongly accused of stealing and killed by Father Salví.

A Dominican friar who is tasked with observing Crisóstomo Ibarra.

The Franciscan curate of San Diego who harbors an unhealthy obsession with María Clara.

The rich and virtuous father of Crisóstomo Ibarra, known for his generosity and kindness.

María Clara's mother, who died giving birth to her. She tragically fell victim to Dámaso's abuse.

Juan Crisóstomo Ibarra, the protagonist of Noli Me Tangere, returns to the Philippines after studying in Europe. His homecoming is marked by a grand party thrown by Captain Tiago, a family friend.

Fray Dámaso Vardolagas, a former priest of San Diego, shows hostility towards Ibarra and his family. This animosity stems from past conflicts involving Ibarra's father, Don Rafael.

Ibarra's father, Don Rafael, was falsely accused of being a heretic by Dámaso. He was imprisoned and died in jail, and his body was later thrown into a lake.

Ibarra, inspired by his father's vision, builds a school to promote education and national progress. This act of goodwill fuels further opposition from the friars.

Elías, a mysterious figure, saves Ibarra from an assassination attempt at the school's inauguration, highlighting the undercurrents of danger and intrigue.

Due to a misunderstanding, Ibarra is falsely accused and imprisoned. This accusation serves the friars' agenda, preventing him from marrying María Clara.

Fray Salví, a manipulative priest, frames Ibarra using a letter intended for María Clara, effectively ruining his life and preventing his marriage.

María Clara, Ibarra's beloved, is pressured to marry Linares, a Spaniard, by Captain Tiago and the friars. She is torn between her love for Ibarra and the pressures of society.

Ibarra escapes prison with the help of Elías. Before leaving, he confronts María Clara, believing she betrayed him. The truth involves the secret of her lineage, linked to Fray Dámaso.

Elías, sacrificing himself to protect Ibarra, jumps into the water, leading to a final encounter with Ibarra's enemies. This leaves Ibarra heartbroken and alone.

Elías, a key character, is fatally wounded in the forest, where he encounters the grieving Basilio and his deceased mother, Sisa. Sisa lost her mind after her sons were falsely accused of stealing sacred objects, and Crispín, one of her sons, was killed by the sacristan mayor, who framed the boys.

Elías's dying words encourage Basilio to fight for freedom and remember those who have fallen. Elías believes he will not live to see the dawn of a free homeland, a sentiment reflecting the novel's themes of oppression and the struggle for liberation.

Basilio, overwhelmed with grief for his mother and burdened by the loss of his brother, takes Elías's final instructions to heart. He is tasked with building a funeral pyre and setting fire to the bodies of both Elías and Sisa, as a final act of respect and separation from their suffering.

Elías leaves behind a message of hope and a promise of wealth, urging Basilio to dig for gold after burying their bodies. This act represents a metaphorical transition from a life marked by struggle and oppression to a future filled with opportunity.

The novel's epilogue unveils the tragic fates of other characters: Tiago, once a well-meaning benefactor, descends into opium addiction, while María Clara, despite her love for Ibarra, is forced to join the convent. This ending highlights the oppressive forces that shape the characters' destinies and the consequences of social injustice.

The sacristan mayor, a corrupt and sinister figure, is responsible for the deaths of Crispín and the mental breakdown of Sisa. He uses his position of authority to manipulate and control others, ultimately contributing to the tragedy that unfolds.

The novel's climax reveals a shocking truth: Elías was not the intended target of the guards' attack. This revelation underscores the randomness and injustice of the world they inhabit and the dangers faced by those opposing the corrupt authorities.

Elías's escape attempt highlights the desperation and resourcefulness required to survive under oppressive rule. His actions, though ultimately unsuccessful, reveal his determination to fight against the forces that seek to control him.

The convent, a place of supposed sanctity, becomes a symbol of imprisonment and control for María Clara. Her confinement within its walls reflects the societal pressures and limitations placed on women in the novel's world.