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The Noli Me Tangere
- was originally written in Spanish by Filipino polymath and national hero Jose Rizal and first published in Germany in 1887.
The Noli Me Tangere
exposed the corruption and abuse of the Spanish government and clergy towards the Philippine people and the ills of the Philippine society.
The early English translations of the novel used titles like An Eagle Fight in 1900 and Social Cancer in 1912
The Idea of Writing a Novel on the Philippines
RIZAL was inspired by his reading of Harriet Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin to
write a novel that would depict the miseries of Filipinos under Spanish
tyrants.
He proposed the writing of the NOLI ME TANGERE about the Philippines by a group of Filipinos in a reunion in the
Paterno residence in Madrid on January 2, 1884.
Filipinos who approved Rizal’s proposal The Paternos (Pedro, Maximo, and
Antonio) Graciano Lopez Jaena Evaristo Aguirre Eduardo de Lete Julio Llorente Melecio Figueroa Valentin Ventura
RIZAL’s compatriots who were expected to collaborate on the novel did not write anything. They rather wasted their time gambling and flirting with Spanish señoritas.
RIZAL was determined to write the novel― ALONE.
The Writing of the Noli
Toward the end of 1884, Rizal began writing the novel in Madrid and finished about one-half of it.
In Berlin, Rizal made final revisions on the manuscript of Noli. Sick and penniless, he saw no hope of having it published. He almost hurled it into flames.
He wrote the last few chapters in Wilhelmsfeld in 1886.
Berlin, Germany
Viola, Savior of the Noli
Rizal received a telegram from Dr. Maximo Viola – a scion of a rich family in San Miguel, Bulacan.
He arrived in Berlin in 1887 and was shocked to see Rizal living in poverty and deplorably sick due to lack of proper nourishment.
Seeing his friend’s predicament, Viola, loaded with ample funds, agreed to finance the printing cost of the novel.
On February 21, 1887, Noli was finshed and was ready for printing.
Berliner Buchdruckrei-Action-Gesselschaft was the printing shop which printed Rizal’s novel, charging with the lowest rate of 300 pesos for 2, 000 copies.
Rizal Suspected as French Spy
Printing of Noli Finished March 21, 1887, Noli Me Tangere came
off the press. Rizal immediately sent the first copies to his intimate friends:
-Ferdinand Blumentritt
-Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor
- Graciano Lopez Jaena
- Mariano Ponce
-Felix Hidalgo.
March 29, 1887, Rizal, in token of his appreciation and gratitude, gave Viola the galley proofs of Noli carefully rolled around the pen that he used to write it and a complimentary copy.
The Title of the Novel
The title Noli Me Tangere is a Latin phrase which means “Touch Me Not.”
It is not originally conceived by Rizal, for he admitted taking it from the Bible.
Noli Me Tangere, words taken from the Gospel of St. Luke, signify “do not touch me.” in citing the Biblical source, Rizal made a mistake. It should be the Gospel of St. John (20:13-17)
Synopsis
The novel contains 63 chapters and an epilogue.
It begins with the reception given by Capitan Tiago at his house in Calle Analogue on the last day of October.
The dinner was given in honor of Crisostomo Ibarra, a young and rich Filipino who had just returned after seven years of study in Europe.
Synopsis of the Novel
The Author’s Dedication
Ibarra was the only son of Don Rafael Ibarra, friend of Capitan Tiago, and a beautiful fiancé of Maria Clara.
Maria Clara, supposed daughter of Capt. Tiago, is the fiancée of Crisostomo.
Among the guests during the reception were Padre Damaso, Padre Sybila, Señor Guevara, Don Tiburcio Espadaña and Doña Victorina and several ladies.
Ibarra, upon his arrival, produced a favorable impression among the guests, except Padre Damaso, who was rude to him.
Padre Damaso
During the dinner the conversation centered on Ibarra’s studies and travels abroad.
Padre Damaso was in bad mood because he got a bony neck and a hard wing of the chicken tinola. He tried to discredit Ibarra’s remarks.
After dinner, Ibarra left Capitan Tiago’s house to return to his hotel.
He met Lt. Guevara on the way and he was told about the sad story of his father’s death.
Ibarra’s father was a rich and a brave man. He defended a helpless boy from the brutality of an illiterate Spanish tax collector, pushing the latter and accidentally killing him.
Ibarra’s father was thrown into prison where he died unhappily. His enemies removed his body from the cemetery since Don Rafael was accused of being a heretic.
Ibarra thanked the Spanish lieutenant and vowed to find out truth about his father’s death.
He then visited his childhood sweetheart Maria Clara.
After the romantic reunion with his lover, he went to San Diego , to visit his father’s grave since it was All Saint’s Day that time.
He was told by the grave-digger that the corpse of Don Rafael was removed by order of the priest to be buried in the Chinese cemetery. But the corpse was simply threw into the lake for there was a heavy rain.
The “Noli“ Based on Truth The characters were drawn by Rizal from
persons who actually existed during his times.
Maria Clara – was Leonor Rivera Ibarra and Elias- was represented Rizal
himself. Tasio the Philosopher- Paciano Padre Salvi- Padre Antonio Piernavieja (the
hated Augustinian friar in Cavite who was killed by the patriots during the revolution).
Capitan Tiago- was Capitan Hilario Sunico of San Nicolas.
Doña Victorina- was Doña Agustina Medel Crispin and Basilio- were the Crisostomo
brothers of Hagonoy. Padre Damaso- was a typical of a
domineering friar during the days of Rizal, who was so arrogant, immoral and anti-Filipino.
Missing Chapters of the Noli
Before Chapter XXIV- " In the Woods“, there was a chapter entitled “Elias and Salome “ in the original manuscript of the novel.
The reason for deleting the chapter was definitely economic.
Rizal’s friends praise the Noli
