Meaning of Noli Me Tangere

Noli Me Tangere, meaning Don't Touch Me" / Touch Me Not", is the Latin version of words spoken, according to John 20:17, by Jesus to Mary Magdalene when she recognizes him after his resurrection. In Filipino: Huwag Mo Akong Salingin. In English: The Social Cancer.

Symbolisms of the cover leaf of the novel

CROSS- sufferings POMELO BLOSSOMS AND LAUREL LEAVES- honor and fidelity SILHOUETTE OF A FILIPINA- Maria Clara BURNING TORCH- rage and passion SUNFLOWERS- enlightenment BAMBOO STALKS THAT WERE CUT DOWN BUT GREW BACK- resilience A MAN IN A CASSOCK WITH HAIRY FEET- priests using religion in a dirty way CHAINS- slavery WHIPS/FLOGS- cruelties HELMET OF THE GUARDIA CIVIL- arrogance of those in authority

To whom did Rizal dedicated the novel?

Rizal dedicated his novel entitled "Noli Me Tangere" to his fatherland. Rizal sacrificed his personal needs in order for him to make a difference for the country. He made the novel to expose all the doings of the Spaniards in order to reawaken the senses of the Filipinos.

What served as Rizals inspiration in writing the novel?

When Rizal read Uncle Toms Cabin Harriet Beecher Stowes novel on the abuse of black slaves in America, he thought that a novel should be written about the abuses that Philippine natives were suffering at the hands of the Spanish friars.

When and Where did he start writing the novel?

The first half of Noli me Tangere was written in Madrid, Spain from 1884-1885 while Dr. Jos P. Rizal was studying for medicine. While in Germany, Rizal wrote the second half of Noli me Tangere from time-to-time starting February 21, 1887. In Wilhelmsfeld near Heidelberg he finished this famous novel anqad in In March 1887, Rizal was only 26, he released Noli Me Tangere, his first book.

Where was it publishes and who financed its printing?

At first, according to one of Rizal's biographers, Rizal feared the novel might not be printed, and that it would remain unread.He had been struggling financial constraints that time and thought it would be hard to pursue printing the novel. A financial aid came from a friend named Mximo Viola. Rizal at first, however, hesitated but Viola insisted and ended up lending Rizal P300 for 2,000copies.

Noli was eventually printed in Berlin, Germany. The printing was finished earlier than the estimated five months. Viola arrived in Berlin in December 1886, and by March21, 1887, Rizal had sent a copy of the novel to his friend Blumentritt.

MAJOR CHARACTERS
Juan Crisostomo Ibarra, the main character, is a young illustrado who has been studying in Europe for 7 years according to the wishes of his father. Influenced by his father, his studies and his observations of other countries, he has developed patriotic and progressive ideas which he wishes to put into action in his country. He is very much like Rizal himself. Quoted as saying that to achieve liberation, they need the "catuiran ng lakas" , or the use of force. Mara Clara de los Santos is Ibarra's faithful, pure and modest sweetheart. She is the portrait of an ideal woman, partly drawn perhaps from Rizal's love Leonor Rivera. Padre Dmaso was once a good friend of Ibarra's father. He was, until the start of the novel, the domineering and condescending curate of San Diego, where the property of the Ibarra family is located, and continues to be a powerful figure in San Diego. Biological father of Mara Clara, as he takes advantage of Doa Pia, mother of Mara Clara and wife of Capitn Tiago

 Padre Salv is the new parish priest of San Diego, who lusts after Maria Clara. Elas, a common laborer whose family has suffered much, dreams of revolution. He may be said to represent another side of Rizal. Pilosopong Tasio is an old man who received an excellent education in his youth but was persuaded into discontinuing his studies, which he was told would lead him away from his faith. The character is based on Rizal's older brother, Paciano. Sisa is the mother of two young boys who disappear. With her mother love, her grief and her frustration, she is thought to represent the suffering motherland. Crispn- brother of Basilio. Dies at the hands of the "sacristan mayor" and Padre Salv. Basilio- brother of Crispn and son of Sisa and Pedro. Last person to see Elas alive.

 Capitn Santiago de los Santos - also known as Capitan Tiago, he accepts Mara Clara as his own daughter. Doa Victorina is a native woman who desperately tries to look like a Spaniard. She was so determined to marry a Spaniard that she was willing to settle, late in life, for a toothless stuttering man. She convinces him to pretend to be a doctor to raise their status and society. Don Tiburcio is a former customs official who pretended to be a prestigious medical doctor in town as his bread and butter. He is the lame, stuttering husband of Doa Victorina. Doa Consolacin is the muse of the cuartel. She is the violent wife of the Alferez and has treated Sisa cruelly. Alfonso Linares is the godson of Padre Damaso and a distant cousin of Don Tiburcio from Spain. He is hard pressed to be Maria Clara's fiance instead of Ibarra. Padre Sibyla is a Dominican friar who is the curate of Binondo. His character is a stark contrast to that of Padre Damaso.

Missing Chapter
Noli me Tangere is subdivided into 63 chapters, each are simultaneous from one another and explored lives of different characters embedded into single time frame and has interconnections. Originally, Noli me Tangere has 64 chapters. The removed chapter, now referred to as Chapter X (Chapter "eks"), was titled Elis y Salom (Elias and Salome), was not included in any Noli publication. Rizal intended to remove the chapter from the whole novel, primarily because of financial measures: if he is still to push for completing 64 chapters, he will not be able to produce 2,000 copies. Later, the manuscript of the chapter was discovered through Viola's copies and were able to translate and publish into other contemporary editions of Noli. In Philippine schools, Elis y Salom is not studied as part of literature studies. Few books published the chapter. In this Wikibook version of Noli me Tangere, we will include the chapter as part of this series.