BICOL UNIVERSITY

College of Social Sciences and Philosophy

General Education Department
Daraga, Albay

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Lesson Title: The Novels: Noli Me Tangere & El Filibusterismo

Learning Objectives: At the end of the unit, you are expected to:
- Analyze the works of Dr. Jose Rizal
- Develop a Character Analysis of one of Rizal’s works
- Differentiate Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo

The Twin Books

El Filibusterismo and Noli Me Tangere were the famous books that carved the name of
Dr. Jose Rizal in our history. These books became his lifetime achievement and his non-violent
revolution for the freedom of his beloved country. The country that he offered his life for his belief
that liberty will be achieved with the use of pen, for the pen is “mightier than a double edge sword.”

1.1 NOLI ME TANGERE

Noli Me Tangere was the first book of Dr. Jose Rizal that was published, as we had
discussed in our last module. Furthermore, the main character, Crisostomo Ibarra was believed
to be an alter-ego of Jose Rizal given its family background. Both of them studied abroad and
longs for the love of their life.

Plot
The novel revolved around the protagonist Crisostomo Ibarra. An Illustrados whose
bloodline was a mixture of Spanish, Mestizo, and Filipino that came from a wealthy family in the
Philippines in Calamba. He went to Europe to study. Upon returning home, he dreamed of lifting
the life of his brethren but was confronted by the Spanish hierarchy, including the Spanish civil
administration and the Ecclesiastical Hierarchy of his town.

The father of Crisostomo, Don Rafael, died before his homecoming. The events were
tragic when his father died and was refused to be buried in a Catholic Cemetery by the parish
priest Padre Damaso. Crisostomo was provoked for some time. He almost killed the priest that
caused his excommunication and the annulment of his wedding with Maria Clara.
 Maria Clara was the sweetheart of Crisostomo. She was known to be the daughter of
Kapitan Tiago, but in reality, she was the daughter of Padre Damaso. Kapitan Tiago was the one
who adopted her and kept the secret of Padre Damaso.

The marriage of Crisostomo and Maria Clara was canceled due to Ibarra’s attack on the
priest, because of that, Maria Clara was bestowed to another man, but she insisted on becoming
a nun rather than marrying another man. With the help of Padre Damaso, Maria Clara became a
nun, but it just ruined her, for she became a carnal slave of Padre Salve who sought sexual
relations with her.

The philosopher in the story emphasizes the weariness of the conquerors of the
enlightenment of the Filipinos. It would be the beginning of the nightmare of the Spaniards and
the rise of the Filipinos. That is why Spaniards will subjugate the Filipinos at all costs.

As the story goes, Ibarra met Elias, who is convincing him to revolt and fight against the
tyrants. Elias believed that the sufferings of the Filipinos were too much and that revolt and
violence was the only way for freedom. As the enemies of Ibarra planned to create a fake
insurrection blaming him, Maria Clara helped them as she was used as a trap on protecting the
secret of betraying Ibarra. Ibarra had no choice but to escape.

Helped by Elias, Ibarra escaped the Guardia Sibil, but they were chased going to the lake.
Elias needs to jump into the water, to pretend to be Ibarra and he was shot and at the nearshore
died and buried by Basilio beside his mother and Ibarra escaped.

Attack and Defense

The banning of the books of Jose Rizal was the initial act of the Spanish Authorities with
the notion that it disgraced the Church and of Spain. Fr. Payo of UST examined the book around
August 18, 1887, and wrote a letter of recommendation to the Archbishop of Manila to ban the
book.

It was said the book was heretical, impious, abusive and scandalous in its religious
aspects. The book is unpatriotic, subversive and offensive to the government of Spain. The book
was attacked by many, some were Senator Vida, Vincente Barrantes. But the first attack was by
an unknown friar who said that Jose Rizal was labeled as an ungrateful man. For Fr. Rodriguez,
it should not be read for it is blasphemous and grossed errors… and for Fr. Font, who issued
official censorship to the book.

On the other hand, many have defended the novel life Fr. Francisco Sanchez. Another is
Fr. Vicente Garcia, who said that “if it is a mortal sin to read the novel, then some priest has
committed a mortal sin.” Also, Marcelo H. Del Pilar defended the novel by answering the
pamphlets of Fr. Rodriguez, telling that the book is not being appropriately judged.
Important Characters

a. Crisostomo Ibarra
b. Maria Clara
c. Padre Damaso
d. Padre Salvi
e. Elias
f. Kapitan Tiago
g. Don. Francisco Ibarra
h. Sisa
i. Crispin
j. Basilio
k. Elias
l. Tasio

1.2 EL FILIBUSTERISMO – Plot

Crisostomo Ibarra changed his name and status to Simoun, the Jeweler. In disguise, he
roamed around the world and traveled different parts of it and became a jeweler. He returned to
take revenge on all misfortunes he had encountered. He took advantage of the corruption and
abusive regime of the Spaniards in the Philippines to topple its administration and create havoc.

He wanted to rescue his beloved Maria Clara from the convent and avenged the death of
his father, but it was intervened by Basilio, a medical student. In the forest on Christmas eve,
Basilio recognized the true identity of Simoun when he searched for the gems buried near the
grave of her mother Sisa.

As the story progressed, Simoun had the opportunity to implement his revenge by a bomb
planted in a lampshade. But it was prevented by throwing it outside the window before it exploded.
Afterward, a priest threw all the jewelry of Simoun as a symbol of eliminating greed, violence, and
other evils that had been provoked.

Nationalist and Revolution

The 2nd novel of Rizal was different from the prequel, for it emphasized the ideology and
principles that a true Filipino should have. That is the intense love for the country. Nationalism
might easily be perceived as an act of loving one's country and nationality, an act of loving your
own country and of its principles.
 Jose Rizal was betting his hope for the new generation. He referred to the youth in his
poem A la Juventud Filipina as the hope of the nation. He set an example on how to love one's
country and principle as he fought for his country until his last breath.
Dr. Jose Rizal did perceive revolt and fight for the country, but in a manner that was different from
the other common perception of revolution and that was an act of waging war for freedom or an
act that will result in death and bloody fights. But for Him, a peaceful revolution.

Some Important Characters

a. Padre Florentino
b. Simoun
c. Kapitan Tiago
d. Basilio
e. Maria Clara
f. Dona Victorina
g. Kabesang Tales
h. Padre Salvi
i. Isagani
j. Macaraig

Let’s Check

Write a short description of the important characters that can be found in the two novels and
spot their commonalities and differences between the two novels “Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo.” (50 pts.)

CHARACTER DESCRIPTION/ COMPARISON

1. Crisostomo Ibarra Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo - Is the Main Character of the
Novel

Difference
Noli Me Tangere- Portrays a passionate, patient, and idealistic Ibarra
El Fili- Disguised himself as Simon who pertained to Ibarra’s angry
and vengeful side.
2. Maria Clara Is the childhood sweetheart and fiancée of Crisostomo Ibarra

Difference

Noli Me - Portrays as demure and self-effacing posed an ideal

"image" of what a Filipina should be.

El Fili- Was Abolished to be a servant, and unfaithful death due to she

had learned that Crisostomo Ibarra died
3. Kapitan Tiago Besides being Maria Clara's father, Capitan Tiago was a powerful San
Diego businessman. Capitan Tiago strained to follow the friars' orders
when they told him to marry his daughter off to Crisostomo Ibarra. To
put it mildly, Capitan Tiago was a docile and obedient man. Tiago
placed a premium on his social standing, thus he made a point of
establishing himself among the country's upper crust. This expressed
itself in his consistent submission to the friars' wishes; his courtship of
Dona Victorina, friendship with Don Rafael, and betrothal of his
daughter to Ibarra may all be seen as driven by his desire to advance
his own social standing. Despite his great fortune, Tiago always did
what was best for his social status, as seen by his decision to cut
relations with Ibarra when they were no longer mutually beneficial

4. Basilio Crispin's older brother, Basilio, was a small child in San Diego. Basilio
escaped from town after the deaths of his mother and brother, and
found refuge with Capitan Tiago. Despite his difficulties, Basilio
maintained a positive attitude. Basilio's early signs of maturity included
his knowledge that his father had abused his mother and his desire to
find his family after being taken in by Selo. Basilio had grown up and
desired to work as a herdsman for Crisostomo Ibarra, then in the fields
to support his family. Basilio carried this sense of optimism into his
youth, studying hard to become a physician and participating in the
student group's efforts to build the Castilian Academy.

5.

Let’s Analyze 3.1 In writing the novel, Dr. Jose Rizal put into writing the message that he wants
to convey to the Filipinos who are deprived of education and the right of enlightenment and
choice. In our present time, we are privileged enough to have better access to education. Hence
one should prove and use his analytical skills in providing sound answers in the following
questions below.

1. What are the distinguishing characteristics of the novels of Dr. Jose Rizal in terms of its
message and theme? (10 pts.)
In Rizal's novel, the friars represent corrupt government officials, and their portrayal in the book
is accurate. How those in authority use their positions for personal gain and sexual gratification
can be seen as a central theme in the novel. Rizal's motivation for writing El Filibusterismo was
simple: he wanted Filipinos to live better lives. For this reason, Rizal penned El Filibusterismo to
demonstrate to his fellow Filipinos that they, too, can achieve the goals of a good education and
a comfortable lifestyle. On the other hand, he emphasized that in order for us to achieve the
freedom he desired, we must come together as a nation and confront the wrongs in our midst.

2. What is the distinguishing characteristic of the main characters of the novels of Dr. Jose
Rizal? How do they differ, and what are some of its similar features? (10 pts.)

Every character in Noli Me Tangere represents a different sector of Philippine society during the
struggle for independence. Jose Rizal played the role of himself. Crisostomo Ibarra, who despite
his wealth was a rebel who battled for the liberation of theSpaniards, and in the figure of Elias,
who despite being poor and oppressed by the Spaniards, He sacrificed his life so that Crisostomo
could escape. CrisostomoIbarra exacts his revenge on the Spaniards in the sequel to "El
Filibusterismo," thanks to Elias' sacrifice. A social Dona Victorina, Another important figure who
represents Filipinos is a climber who refused to be labeled an Indio. During the time of the Spanish
colonizers, all Filipinos were referred to as Indios, a term that has since been dropped means
stupid, illiterate, and destitute. Sisa, the caring mother of Crispin andBasiliowho was shunned by
society after her sons went missing, is an example of a character withsymbolic significance in the
work. Filipino women were persecuted and abused by the Spanish, and Sisa symbolizes the
Inang Bayan or Motherland that was shunned as a result of the Spanish colonial regime. The
story portrayed societal concerns, inequality, and the Philippines as a primitive country during the
Spanish colonization. Noli Me Tangere is essential reading since the novel's conflicts continue to
have an impact on modern society and the nation. The novel’s primary conflicts like corruption,
injustice, poverty, and abuse are still relevant today.

3. The provocative act of dedicating a book to convicts is dangerous and consequently

became one of the grounds for Dr. Jose Rizal was persecuted by the Spaniards, thus
causing his death. From your point of view, is it an intelligent act to do? Why? (10 pts.)

The Spanish began colonizing the Philippines in 1522. It was a major player in the world until the
1890s. The Philippines were under Spanish colonial control for more than 250 years. Throughout
the colonial era, Spanish armies pillaged the Philippines for their own gain. Poverty, corruption,
and social inequality were all too common. In a nutshell, there was no room for error. Jose Rizal,
a Filipino polymath, understood the value of independence. The state of the country had a
profound impact on him. As a result, in a number of his publications, he openly opposed the
Spanish colonial masters. Because the Spanish government was concerned that his words would
cause harm, they ordered him to stop publishing. That's the main justification for killing him. But,
the interesting thing is Jose Rizal's execution brought a catastrophic event that ultimately ended
the Spanish colonial rule. In this sense, it was not an intelligent thing to do.
 In a Nutshell

Based on the knowledge that you have acquired and the learning exercises that you have done,
please feel free to write your arguments or lessons learned below. I have indicated my arguments
or lessons learned.

1. The main character of the novels of Jose Rizal were reflections of his inner self fighting
and being torn between two choices between love and duty.

2. The Novels of Dr. Jose Rizal calls for liberty and freedom. But in the present situation I do
wish that we will be free from the slavery of ignorance and technological enslavement.

Your Turn

3. Although the Spanish colonial regime is a target, Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not) is about
much more. In a nutshell, it is a type of nationalism based on a founding document. It
exhorts the Filipino to regain pride in himself, recognize his worth, respect his ancestors'
traditions, and stand up to the Spaniards as an equal. Despite depicting the plight of the
Filipino people under Spanish rule, it is a romantic story, a book of feelings, a work of the
heart, and it is full of freshness, color, comedy, lightness, and wit. (10 pts.)

4. Following this, the Filipino people were inspired to fight for their freedom and defend their
rights. I’m currently reading these two novels. As a result of this, I now understand that
violent conflict resolution is not an option. Instead, I believe that wars can be ended
amicably, with words and possibly even forgiveness. We can inflict more harm with words
than with bullets. God forbid. We are in charge of exacting vengeance. There is danger
around every corner, but don't be afraid; good will triumph in the end. (10 pts.)

References:

Maghuyop, R. (2018). The Life and Works of Rizal. Malabon City: Mutya Publishing House
Inc.
CHAPTER 9 (The Noli Me Tangere)
CHAPTER 10 (El Filibusterismo)
De Viana, A., et. al. (2018). Jose Rizal: social reformer and patriot. A study of his life