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NOLI ME TANGERE

By: José Rizal

José Rizal’s work bears the marks of romanticism and realism. Noli Me
Tangere contains a lot of vivid descriptive content and well developed
characters, which centres on the comunal injustice and wrongs of colonial
and especially Spanish rule in the Philippines. And there is no other
explanation to the realistic depiction of rich Spanish friars, the
downtrodden and marginalized natives and every detail and vocabulary
that one would want but the attention and purpose of the author of the
book. Furthermore, Rizal in the Noli employs the use of common tongue,
our everyday dialect for example street English language this depicting
realism in language use. Even between the Filipinos and Spaniards in the
book there are times when the dialogue is blended with Spanish
underlining the convergence of the colonized and colonizer. Although
realism is a very stark view of life, Rizal also maintains romance in the
narrative as it has its moments of adventure, love and heroism. Realism
and romanticism appear to be infused in Noli Me Tangere in an
inseparable way, which is a hallmark of the work to be powerful in
literature.

Plot Analysis

- Exposition/Introduction: The novel opens with a scene in which the


character Juan Crisóstomo Ibarra, an educated elite Filipino who has
studied in Europe for about seven years, returns to the town of San
Diego where he is greeted by Tiago, a rich Filipino man, and his still
fiancée Janet. Unfortunately, it is not long before he finds out the
harsh realities of his father’s wrongful imprisonment and his
eventual death which fueled his ambitions to become a champion of
justice[6].

- Rising Action: What is surprising is that, instead of revolution, Ibarra


was eager for sociopolitical change, something which Spanish friars
such as Father Dámaso were not on board with. Aside from this,
many factors contributed to this fantasy; for example, the
establishment of a school was thwarted and Ibarra’s plans on his
courtship of María Clara was marred[8].
- Climax: During the town fiesta Ibarra is once again accused of
treason but this time to further wipe out his efforts of establishing a
school. Instead, he experiences a lot of animosity towards the
people and fails in his fantasies, which leads him to forsake his
people once more and permanently leave San Diego with his wife,
Janet[16].

Falling Action: Ibarra’s getaway is assisted by Elias, a man shrouded in


mystery who embodies the fighting spirit. Nevertheless, Elías is in the end
murdered by the Spanish authorities which marks the appearance of the
application of force on the corrupt system.

- Resolution/Denouement: The last part of the novel bears a sense of


bleakness and disillusionment. The end of Ibarra’s life is also
unclear, whereas María Clara is obliged to become a nun. The
narrative suggests a glimpse into the near present of the repression
and struggles of the Filipinos against the Spanish colonizers.

Character Analysis

Protagonist: Protagonist of the novel is Juan Crisóstomo Ibarra, the young


idealistic Filipino striving for the betterment of the society. He is educated
and intelligent and has a social reform passion. However, he is also naive
and innocent, which makes him an easy prey for the antagonist at the
end[12].

- Antagonist: Father Dámaso is the main antagonist in the novel. He is a


corrupt and abusive Spanish friar who represents the oppressive power of
the Spanish colonial regime and the hypocrisy and cruelty of the
Church[13].

- Dynamic Characters: Ibarra, María Clara, and Elías are dynamic


characters as they change much in the novel. Ibarra’s idealism is tested
by the harsh realities of colonial rule, María Clara’s innocence is shattered
by the manipulative actions of the friars, and Elías evolves from a fugitive
to a symbol of resistance[14].

Static Characters- Father Salví is an evil, obsessive friar. He is a static


character; his wickedness and thirst for revenge are not changed [13].
- Minor Characters: The novel has minor characters that contribute to
the social and political landscape. Sisa, Basilio’s mother, is a
symbol of the suffering of the oppressed Filipino people. Don Rafael
Ibarra, Ibarra’s father, represents the injustice and corruption of the
Spanish colonial system[14].

Conflict and Resolution

The core conflict in Noli Me Tangere is the struggle between Ibarra’s social
reform drive and the oppressive forces of Spanish colonialism, as
represented by the corrupt friars and the Spanish authorities. The conflict
remains unresolved, and there is no hope for the future as oppression
continues. Ibarra’s fate is left in limbo to symbolize the futility of an
individual’s resistance against a powerful and corrupt system. A desperate
ending leaves the reader anticipating mass action and a fundamental
reform in the social and political arena12.

5. Cultural representation

Noli Me Tangere well represents the culture and beliefs of the Filipinos
within that period of Spanish colonization by the famous Rizal. Among the
beauty captured in their customs include fiestas celebrated; and it is
considered very important within every household to be of family value
with some elements held firmly. However, he also exposes the negative
impact of colonialism on Filipino society, including the suppression of
Filipino culture, the exploitation of the people, and the erosion of
traditional values. The novel’s depiction of the friars’ abuse of power and
their manipulation of religion highlights the corruption and hypocrisy
within the Church, which had a significant influence on Filipino society at
the time[21].

Lessons Learned

Noli Me Tangere reminds all of us to fight for justice and equality. Through
the pages of Rizal’s novel, danger lurks in corruption, oppression, and the
misuse of power. Social injustice, struggle for freedom, and the value of
education are among the themes still alive and relevant to present-day
readers.

Today, we witness the same battles against corruption, inequality, and the
oppression of human rights. Noli Me Tangere reminds us to stand up
against injustice, challenge the status quo, and work towards a more just
and equitable society. Rizal’s message of hope and resistance inspires us
to fight for a better future, even in the face of adversity[25].

The novel also emphasizes the need for education and critical thinking.
Ibarra’s desire to create a school demonstrates the power of education in
empowering individuals and changing social norms. In this current world,
education remains paramount in cultivating critical thinking, social justice,
and more informed and active citizenship.

Noli Me Tangere is an ageless masterpiece that keeps inspiring and


provoking readers to this day. The themes of social justice, resistance,
and the power of education remain relevant in the 21 st century. Rizal’s
novel reminds us of the importance of fighting for a better world even in
adversity.

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