JORIZAL: Noli Me Tangere

Albit, Ilagan, Javier, Laxamana, Parco

Questions to be Answered
● Present Themes of Noli
● What is Freedom?
● How is the lack of freedom portrayed in the novel?
● Situation: Novel vs Today
● Discuss the Family tree of IBARRA:
○ Changes from generation to generation
○ What do changes suggest about Creoles in PH
● Anti-modern aspects of colonial society in Noli
● Modernity considered central problem of Novel?
● Appraise important characters in the novel and what they represent
● Examine PH current situation through examples in Noli
PRESENT THEMES OF NOLI ME TANGERE
-RELIGION

(INFLUENCE OF CATHOLICISM AND ITS INFLUENCE ON OUR POLICIES)

-STRUGGLE FOR POWER

(ELECTORAL VIOLENCE)

-EDUCATION

(IMPORTANCE IN A THIRD WORLD COUNTRY

-FAMILY AND HONOR

(“FAMILY FIRST MENTALITY OF FILIPINOS)

WHAT IS FREEDOM?
● Jose Rizal had always disapproved of armed revolution against the

Spaniards

● Armed revolution was “impossible, absurd, and disastrous”

● Peace is an essential path towards freedom

● Fighting for freedom requires love for country

How is the lack of freedom portrayed in the novel?

1. PH was under the colonization of

the Spaniards.

2. Filipinos suffered abuse from civil

guards, friars, and other
government officials
- Ibarra’s father, Don Rafael Ibarra
- Crisostomo Ibarra
How is the lack of freedom portrayed in the novel?

3. Corrupt and Abusive

Church

- Padre Damaso
- Padre Salvi

4. Colonial Mentality

- Capitan Tiago
- Doña Victorina
IBARRA Family Tree:
Changes between generations

Don Pedro Don Don Rafael Crisostomo

Saturnino
● Was a land ● Developed ● Was ● More
owner the town imprisoned Filipino in
● Not much of San for blood
was known Diego accidentally ● Very
about him ● Described killing a educated
as cruel tax
collector
What do the changes suggest about the Creoles in
the Philippines?

Changes Suggestions

● Became more and more ● There are not too many

Filipino Creoles in PH today

● Became more educated ● Creoles are educated

people today
● Became more well ● Creoles today are very
mannered mannered people
SITUATION: NOVEL VS. TODAY
Situation Novel Today

Church and State Church have a political Separation of Church

say. and State.

Lives of Women They were under men Women are now

and they don’t have empowered.
much opportunity.

Abuse of Power Priests Politicians and Police

Education Privileged people Should be for everyone

Justice System Unjust justice system Due process

CHARACTERS OF NOLI ME TANGERE
- Rizal’s representation
Crisostomo Ibarra
- Smart, patriotic, outspoken

- Native Filipina
Maria Clara - Simple, conservative,
obedient

- Corrupt Priest
Padre Damaso
- Pervert, cruel, evil

Elias - Brave, good friend, selfless

- Rich Filipino
Kapitan Tiago - Privileged, caring to Maria
Clara
CHARACTERS OF NOLI ME TANGERE

- Poor community
Sisa - Loving mother, protective,
went insane

Crispin at Basilio - Deprived Children

Donya Victorina - Entitled

Donya Consolacion - Social Climber

- Abused by the people in

Pia Alba power
- Mother of Maria Clara
Anti-Modern Aspects of Colonial Society in Noli

1. Catholic Hierarchy

2. Spaniards &
Mestizos
Modernity considered a central problem of the
Novel?

● Spaniards were prohibiting access of resource and rights to filipinos.

● Even as a ilustrado or better, Filipino’s would still get harassed by the
Spaniards
● Even in today’s world, there are countries experiencing the same type of
“Governance” as Philippines experienced with the Spanish Inquisition in the
day.
Examine PH current situations through examples in
Noli.

• alienation - exercising influence in established institutions rather than fighting

institutions from the outside
• silencing the media/people - killing or paying the media or broadcasters to
keep them from announcing the real news to the people
• domination of the society by business corporations - best possible example
is contractualization mostly done by jollibee corp.
Sources
https://www.brighthubeducation.com/homework-help-literature/122053-themes-and-historical-value-in-the-book-noli-me-tangere/

https://www.gradesaver.com/noli-me-tangere/study-guide/summary

https://www.litcharts.com/lit/noli-me-tangere/themes/colonialism-religion-and-power