Noli Me Tangere

Noli Me tangere is a novel written by Jose Protacio Rizal during the colonization of the country by Spain to expose the inequities of the Spanish Catholic priests and the ruling government. The title is Latin for "Touch me not", and is taken from John 20:17 in the Bible, where a newly-risen Jesus admonishes a bewildered Mary Magdalene: "Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father."

SUMMARY:

Chapter 1 – A social gathering

Kapitan Tiyago hosted a striking occasion announced throughout San Diego and nearby towns of Pasig and Binondo. Kapitan Tiyago's house was described as being in Daang Anluwage near Binondo River. The news of the occasion was like a thunder that traveled all over–invited or not, and everyone wanted to be at the party.

When the night came, the de los Santos house was full of merry-making. Visitors came from all over and were being entertained by Kapitan Tiyago's cousin, Tiya Isabel. The hall room was full of portraits of Saints and mirrors. Women and men were separated into separate seating arrangements. Moreover, almost all of joy was in the circle of Tenyente Guevara (lieutenant-general of the Guardia Civil), Padre Sibyla (the parish curate of Binondo), Padre Damaso (former curate of San Diego), Padre Salvi (the present curate of San Diego), Senyor Laruja and a Spanish man with red hair.

While chatting, Padre Damaso mentioned the Indio (poor non – Spanish people) idleness and foolishness. The man with red hair counteracted Padre Damaso's comment that it may be the Spanish people's supposition because the Spanish authorities wanted to conceal their incapability with the colonial administration. Senyor Laruja, on the other hand, agreed with Padre Damaso. With the red man's comment, Padre Damaso began to think that all other people in their circle began to be dubious with him, he narrated his twenty years of living in San Diego. He said that when he came to San Diego, the townsfolk greeted him with marching band, flower festival, and plenty of food. When he left San Diego, however, few people only bid goodbye to him–the hermano tercero (local official in a town government) and few crying old ladies. At this moment, Padre Damaso grew red in anger and punched his chair. He shouted, "Are the curates free of their own will or not?" He also mentioned that a curate must be free if he ordered to dig up the corpse of a heretic to dispose it from a Catholic cemetery. He also noted that even the King of Spain must not care if a curate do this.

Tenyente Guevara stood from his chair and retorted that the gobernador-heneral is the King's representative to the Philippine Islands so he has the right to remove Padre Damaso from the parish and throw him to another town, and that this was done because the former curate had the corpse of a noble removed from his grave while his only son was in Europe.

After the debate, Padre Sibyla took the opportunity to calm the two, so peace returned in the hall.

Other visitors came later, including the couple de Espadaña. Donya Victorina wore a European dress, which Guevara accidentally stepped on. Victorina was angered, to which Guevara only replied that he was looking at her curly hair.

Then Kapitan Tiyago came and introduced a certain fresh good-looking man beside him.

Chapter 2 – Crisostomo Ibarra

The guests in the lobby continued to be merry and engaged in lively discussions. All of them stopped and surprised to see Kapitan Tiyago arriving with Crisostomo Ibarra, who happened to

come from Europe. Few of them were impressed of this young man, Padre Damaso turned pale and stared glaringly to Ibarra. The lieutenant never forget to greet the newcomers and the owner of the house. Padre Damaso did not received Ibarra's offer to give him a handshake so he managed to walk few steps behind and ignored them. When another man greeted Ibarra and praised his deceased father, Padre Damaso obviously left the scene.

Nobody dared to introduce Ibarra to the young ladies, so he insisted to present himself to the ladies through German customs. However, nobody paid attention to him. He went to the gentlemen to introduce himself, again, this time, they were impressed by this young man. He saw Kapitan Tinong and invited him to come over his house the next day for lunch, but he denied the invitation saying that he needs to do more important appointment that day.

After a while, a maid entered the lobby and announced that the dinner is ready.

Chapter 62 – Father Damaso explains

Maria Clara did not even pay attention to all the gifts piled up on top of her table for her wedding for she had read the news that Crisostomo Ibarra was killed from the shooting happened at the lake. While she was reading the news, Padre Damaso arrived to surprise her but he was the one surprised when she began weeping. She told him about his last conversation with Ibarra, how she had loved him very much; but she did not reveal that she already knew that she is the priest’s biological daughter.

Maria Clara had hoped that even though Linares married her, Ibarra would one day come back and take her away. But since Ibarra is dead, she thought there is no more reason to continue living. And so she asked Padre Damaso to break the engagement and help her enter the nunnery. Her decision grieved Padre Damaso, who apologized for what he had done. He tried to dissuade Maria Clara from entering the convent but her mind is made up. It is the convent or death.

Seeing that her mind is made up, Padre Damaso consented with a heavy heart.

Chapter 63 – Cristmas Eve

When Basilio was injured, he was brought into the mountains and nurtured by some unknown people. There he stayed with them for two months while recovering from his injuries. On Christmas Day, Basilio decided to go home and look for his mother, Sisa. The grandfather who took care of him dissuaded him for his injuries have yet to fully heal, but seeing Basilio’s determination and love for his mother, he gave him his blessings.

In town, Kapitan Basilio is congratulating Don Filipo for his good fortune for being unaccused of revolting against the Spaniards. The latter was freed and only his books were burned down, while others have lost more. In the middle of their discussion, they saw Sisa. Basilio explained that the physician drove her out for fear of being associated with Ibarra.

Upon reaching San Diego, Basilio heard Sisa’s singing and ran towards her direction. A passerby upon seeing him chase the madwoman threw a stone and hit him. When Basilio reached Sisa, the latter did not initially recognize him but upon seeing the blood on his head caused by the stone, she regained her senses and recognized him but immediately fell unconscious like Basilio

When Basilio woke up, he discovered her mother already dead. Elias also reached the scene, tired and weak for not having any sleep and food for the past two days. He instructed Basilio to gather fire woods to burn their bodies and reminded him that should nobody come to dig the gold buried, it is his to keep. When Basilio went away to gather the woods, Elias died.

El Filibusterismo

El Filibusterismo also known by its English alternate title “The Reign of Greed,” is the second novel written by Jose Protacio Rizal. It is the sequel to “Noli me Tangere.”

SUMMARY:

Chapter 1 – On the upper deck

It is a fine December morning and the steamship Tabo is sailing on the Pasig River on its way to Laguna. On board the upper are his Excellency, the Captain-General, the jeweller Simoun, Donya Victorina, Don Custodio, writer Ben-Zayb, and the friars, Padre Irene, Sibyla, Camorra and Salvi.

The group’s conversation turned to the lake. Donya Victorina, claiming superiority as always, remarked that there is not a decent lake in the country. But Simoun quickly suggested to make a new river-channel by digging a canal from the river, passing through Manila. This would save land and shorten communication, and even prevent the formation of sandbar.

Others thought it was a splendid idea, except for Don Custodio, who out of habit, attacked the project simply because it did not come from him. Ibarra answered all of his questions. His project would use the prisoners and convicts in order to save on cost. If there aren’t enough of them, increase the obligatory service from fifteen days to three or even four months.

When Don Custodio feared about an uprising, Simoun argued that the Egyptians and Jews did not rebel. And the time or rebellion is already far away. He added that it is the job of the friars to quell any rebellion.

Don Custodio, however, had another plan. He suggested all towns near the river would be compelled to raise ducks since ducks will deepen the channel themselves by digging for snails. When Donya Victorina heard about it, she feared that the ballot eggs will become abundant and it’s better to have the bar closed up entirely.

Chapter 2 – Below deck

Kapitan Basilio, Basilio, Isagani and Isagani’s uncle, Padre Florentine were situated on the lower deck along with several Chinese men. They were discussing about the youth’s ambition of putting up a Spanish Academy. Despite the confidence of the youths, Kapitan Basilio expressed pessimism, saying Padre Sibyla would oppose it.

Undeterred Basilio laid out their plans. Each student contributed funds. The professors are half-Filipinos and half-Peninsulares. And the house would be donated by their wealthy friend, Makaraig. Their determination impressed Kapitan Basilio.

Isagani and Basilio continued their conversation. Isagani talked about how much he loves Paulita Gomez, the niece of Donya Victorina. In order to continue seeing her, Isagani agreed to find her husband Don Tiburcio, who is just hiding in his uncle’s house. They also talked about Simoun, who invited the two youths for a drink of beer. When Simoun left, Basilio told him Simoun was nicknamed the Brown Cardinal and the Black Eminence. They are interrupted when Isagani is informed by a servant that his uncle, Padre Florentino needed him.

The legend loving skipper of the vessel sees Padre Florentino and asks him to go on deck lest the Friars assume this Filipino priest did not want to mingle with them. Padre Florentino then instructs Isagani not to go near the lounge because that would be equal to abusing the hospitality of the skipper who would surely invite Isagani. Actually, Isagani felt it was his uncle’s way of preventing him from speaking with Donya Victorina.

Chapter 38 – Fatality

While the guardia sibil were transporting a group of six or seven suspects, they were subjected to abuse and torture. Carolino, who is new to the business, asked the others to just leave them alone. One of the guardia sibil, Mautang revealed that they’re subjected to that kind of abuse so they would be forced to escape. When that happens, they have a reason to shoot them.

All of a sudden, Mautang was shot dead by an unknown shooter. The others quickly retaliated by shooting all the suspects and then open fired despite not knowing where their attackers are. Carolino shot a man and the rest quickly made their retreat. Another man was shot by the other guardia sibil. When they approached him, Carolino discovered that they shot Tandang Selo, his grandfather.

Chapter 39 – Conclusion

The injured Simoun had sought refuge at the house of Padre Florentino. The latter also received a memo from the alferez notifying him that he is to be captured dead or alive. While under his care, Simoun then shared his secret, revealing himself to be Juan Crisostomo Ibarra.

After he fled away, he became involved in the Cuban War selling to both sides. There he met the Captain-General who was then a major. With his money, he was able to have the General’s appointment in the Philippines, and used him as a tool to incite all kinds of injustice so that the people would revolt.

In the end, Siomun had accepted his fate and realized that he was mistaken. After a lengthy debate with Padre Florentino, Simoun had passed away from the effects of the poison he took. Padre Florentino then took his chest, knowing that the guardia sibil will come and take it, threw it towards the sea. Should man need it, God will draw it from the depth of the abyss.

Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo

These two novels wrote by our national hero Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal are touted as the novels that sparked a revolution. They are the barometer of the prevalent climate at the latter half of the Spanish rule in the Philippines. Both novels has a profound effect on the Philippine society in terms of views about national identity, the Catholic faith and its influence on Filipino’s choice, and the government’s issues of corruption, abuse, and discrimination, and on a larger scale, the issues related to the effect of colonization on people’s lives and the cause for independence.

The first novel, Noli Me Tangere is Latin for “Touch me not.” According to jose Rizal, the prevailing culture of injustice and oppression during that time was a “cancer” that was killing the Philippine society and culture. Noli Me Tangere laid the ground work for the two novels. And in Noli Me Tangere, he gave the readers the view of the climate of Philippine society at that time.

The second novel, El Filibusterismo, the sequel of Noli Me Tangere, also known by its English alternate title “The Reign of Greed”, is also a social commentary however, unlike the first novel, Rizal further explored the avenue of revolution. The novel’s dark theme signifying the character Crisostomo Ibarra’s resort to solving his country’s issues through violent means, after his previous attempt at reforming the country’s system have made no effect and seemed impossible with the attitudes of the Spaniards towards the Filipinos.

In conclusion, both novels are similar for they made the Filipinos realize that they should fight for their rights against Spanish oppression which brought the start of the revolution against the Spaniards. And they only differ from their theme where Noli Me Tangere is more on emotion (love of Crisostomo Ibarra for Maria Clara and love of a mother to her sons) while El Filibusterismo is more on anger, vengeance, and revolts.

Republic of the Philippines

Northwest State Samar State University

Calbayog City

PROJECT

IN

SOCIAL SCIENCE 6

(LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)

Submitted to:

Mr. Jay Zeus E. Saliwan

Instructor

Submitted by:

Jezza Figlia P. Bajet

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