Rizal's Noli Me Tangere Quiz

Objectives of Studying Rizal and Noli Me Tangere

• Familiarize the characters, settings, and plot of Noli Me Tangere
• Describe the context in which Rizal wrote Noli Me Tangere
• Evaluate how Noli Me Tangere contributed to the national consciousness of Filipinos

Source of Title "Noli Me Tangere"

• The title Noli Me Tangere is taken from the Gospel of St. John (20:17) which means "touch me not."

Rizal's Book's Content

• The book addresses issues that remained unspoken in the country.
• The book provides a detailed description of social conditions, beliefs, hopes, desires, complaints, and sorrows.
• The book unmasks hypocrisy prevalent within religious practices and criticizes those using religion to extract money for personal gain.
• The book exposes the flaws and defects of the government.
• The book criticizes the complacency of Filipinos considering their suffering.

Rizal's Letter to Ferdinand Blumentritt on March 21, 1887

• The letter describes Noli Me Tangere as an impartial book about the life of Tagalogs, documenting the past ten years.
• Rizal expected the government and friars to attack the work, critiquing the author's arguments.
• Rizal expressed trust in God and those who have witnessed the suffering in the country.
• Rizal aims to address the false concepts and insults leveled against them.

Maximo Viola's Role

• Maximo Viola supported Rizal financially for the printing of the novel.
• Viola arrived in Berlin and assisted Rizal during the printing process.
• The printing of the novel was completed on March 21, 1887.

Opinion of Noli Me Tangere

• Blumentritt described the novel as written with the blood of the heart.
• Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor noted that Noli Me Tangere would bring Rizal equal glory because of his modesty and meticulous analysis of society.
• Jose M. Cecelio highlighted Noli Me Tangere's qualities and powerful portrayal of social issues.

Pedro Serrano Laktaw's Communication

• Pedro Serrano Laktaw, a Tagalog lexicographer, informed Rizal about the delays in the release of the books due to the customs warehouses and censorship.

Impact of Noli Me Tangere

• The book stirred unrest among Filipinos, the government, and particularly the friars.
• The novel influenced the dream of Philippine independence.
• The book was considered subversive by the friars and government.

Rizal's Decision to Return Home

• Rizal's decision to return home was influenced by the need to look after his mother.
• Rizal wanted to understand the effect of the Noli Me Tangere and his other writings.
• Rizal hoped to serve his countrymen.
• Rizal also wanted to know why Leonor Rivera stopped writing.

Arrival of Copies and Response

• Copies of the novel arrived in the Philippines before Rizal's arrival.
• Filipinos and Spaniards were able to read the book, with the friars expressing anger at the depictions of them as villains.

Governor-General's Letter

• The Governor-General requested a meeting with Rizal to discuss whether the novel contained subversive ideas.
• Rizal clarified that the novel depicted factual accounts of the situations in the Philippines.
• Lieutenant Jose Taviel de Andrade was assigned as Rizal's bodyguard.

Controversy and Criticism of Noli Me Tangere

• Friars condemned the novel and encouraged harsh measures against those who read it and Rizal himself.
• Priests wrote pamphlets denouncing the novel.

Vicente Garcia's Defense

• Vicente Garcia, a Manila Cathedral theologian, defended the book.
• Garcia argued that Rizal's intentions were not to be ignorant and that the novel highlighted the immoral and corrupt practices of the friars and officials.

The Novel's Opening Scene

• The novel started with a gathering at Don Santiago de los Santos's house.
• Captain Santiago welcomed Crisostomo Ibarra, the son of a wealthy landlord who was betrothed to Maria Clara.
• Padre Damaso, who participated in the gathering, reacted sarcastically towards Ibarra's arrival.

Incidents in the Novel

• The tragic events centered around the coming home of Ibarra.
• The meeting between Crisostomo and Pilosopo Tasio showcased Pilosopo Tasio's unconventional personality and views.
• The story describes the fate of Sisa, who suffered from madness after losing her children.

The Novel's Conclusion

• The conclusion depicted the misfortunes that befell some characters.
• Maria Clara entered a convent despite an impending marriage.
• Captain Tiago fell into depression and adopted opium and cockfighting.
• Doña Victorina developed a strong desire to own coach horses.
• Linares died from dysentery.
• Padre Damaso was sent to a distant province and died shortly after.

Rizal's Service to His Community

• Rizal initiated a clinic in Calamba.
• Rizal's clinic received much attention and patients, earning him the title "Doctor Uliman".
• Rizal used sports to deter Filipinos from engaging in harmful activities like cockfighting.

Test your knowledge on the characters, themes, and historical context of Jose Rizal's Noli Me Tangere. Explore the social conditions and criticisms presented in the novel while understanding its significance in Filipino national consciousness. Challenge yourself with questions about the influences and messages behind this important literary work.