For educational purposes

1. Noli Me Tangere
*Background of the publication, theme,
plot, characters, and ideas in the novel
Reporters: Gecain, Justin
Gemina, Ivan Ray
Hagonoy, Joel
Heredia, John Leonard

3. Introduction
"Noli Me Tangere" is a seminal
Filipino novel written by Dr. Jose
Rizal, a national hero of the
Philippines. It was first published
in 1887 in Berlin, Germany, and it's
considered one of the most
important literary works in
Philippine literature.

4. Noli Me Tángere, known in English
as Touch Me Not (a literal translation
of the Latin title) or The Social Cancer,
is often considered the greatest novel
of the Philippines, along with its
sequel, El filibusterismo. It was
originally written in Spanish but is
more often read in either Tagalog or
English in classrooms today. After
reading Harriet Beecher
Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin, which
influenced many white Americans to
oppose slavery, Rizal wanted to write
a similar novel about Philippine
society.

5. Finished in 1887, the novel was quickly
banned by Spanish authorities in the
Philippines, but it was smuggled into
the country often. In the more-than-a-
century since its original
publication, Noli Me Tángere has
become a classic. In 1956, the
Philippines’ Congress passed a law
known as the Rizal Law, which requires
all schools in the Philippines to teach
the novel.

6. Background of Publication:
•Jose Rizal wrote "Noli Me Tangere" during the late 19th
century, amid the backdrop of Spanish colonial rule in the
Philippines.
•The novel was originally written in Spanish, the language of
the colonizers, and was a key instrument in the fight for
Philippine independence.
•Rizal, through his writing, aimed to expose the injustices
and abuses of the Spanish colonial administration and the
friars who wielded significant power and influence over
Philippine society.

7. Theme:
1.Colonialism and Oppression: The novel critiques the
oppressive Spanish colonial regime and its detrimental effects
on Filipino society.
2.Social Injustice: Rizal explores various forms of social
injustice, including exploitation, corruption, and abuse of power.
3.Nationalism and Patriotism: "Noli Me Tangere" promotes a
sense of Filipino identity and calls for resistance against colonial
oppression.
4.Love and Sacrifice: The novel delves into themes of love,
sacrifice, and the struggle for personal and societal liberation.
5.Religion and Hypocrisy: Rizal examines the role of religion,
particularly Catholicism, and highlights the hypocrisy and
corruption within the religious institutions of the time

8. Plot:
•The story follows Juan Crisostomo Ibarra, a young
Filipino who returns to the Philippines after studying in
Europe. He plans to marry his childhood sweetheart,
Maria Clara, and initiate reforms in his hometown.
•However, he encounters various obstacles, including the
corrupt friars and government officials who oppose his
efforts for change.
•As the narrative unfolds, Ibarra's idealism clashes with
the harsh realities of Philippine society under Spanish
rule, leading to tragic consequences for him and those
around him.

9. Characters:
1.Juan Crisostomo Ibarra: The protagonist, a young Filipino educated in
Europe, who returns to the Philippines with hopes of initiating reforms.
2.Maria Clara: Ibarra's love interest, the daughter of a wealthy Filipino
family, and symbolizes the purity and virtue of Filipino womanhood.
3.Padre Damaso: A corrupt and hypocritical friar who wields power in the
community and opposes Ibarra's reforms.
4.Elias: A mysterious and noble figure who becomes Ibarra's ally in his
struggle against oppression.
5.Sisa: A tragic character, mother of two sons who were driven to
madness by the abuses of the colonial system.
6.Padre Salvi: Another corrupt friar who is Maria Clara's confessor and
represents the decadence of the clergy.

10. Ideas in the novel:
•Education and Enlightenment: Rizal emphasizes the
importance of education and enlightenment in empowering
individuals and society to challenge oppression and injustice.
•The Duality of Colonial Society: Rizal portrays the stark
contrast between the opulent lifestyles of the ruling class and
the poverty and suffering endured by the masses.
•The Power of Literature and Ideas: "Noli Me Tangere" itself
serves as a powerful tool for raising awareness and inciting
change, demonstrating the transformative power of literature
and ideas.

11. THANK YOU!