Noli and Fili

Noli Me Tangere, 1887
“Noli Me Tangere… signify “do not touch me”. The book contains things of which no one among ourselves has spoken up to the present; they are so delicate that they cannot be touched by anybody… I have endeavored to answer the calumnies which for centuries had been heaped on us and our country: I have described the social condition, the life, our beliefs, our hopes, our desires, our grievances, our grief… The facts I narrate are all true and they actually happened. I can prove them.” * Jose Rizal
Idea of Writing the Novel on the Philippines * It was written during the Spanish colonization. * Rizal wants to expose the inequalities of the Spanish Catholic priests and the ruling government. * Rizal was inspired by his reading of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin, which portrays the brutalities of American-slave owners and the pathetic conditions of the unfortunate Negro slaves. * This idea came when he was still a medicine student in University Central de Madrid. * Rizal proposed the writing of the novel in his colleagues in their reunion in the Paterno’s residence on January 1884. * Unfortunately, his project did not materialize. Undaunted by his friends’ indifference, he determined to write the novel alone. The Writing of Noli * Rizal begun to write Noli towards the end of 1884 while he was still in Madrid and about to finish one-half of it. * When he went to Paris in 1885, he finished one-half of the second half of Noli. * He wrote the last few chapters of Noli in Wilhelmsfeld, Germany in April-June, 1886. * Finally finished the whole manuscript when he was 25 years old on February, 1887. * Victor Blasco Ibañes was a writer and political activist who served as a proofreader and consultant of Rizal while writing the novel. Objectives of Rizal in Writing Noli Me Tangere * To defend Filipino people from foreign accusations of foolishness and lack of knowledge. * To show how the Filipino people lives during Spanish colonial period and the cries and woes of his countrymen against abusive officials. * To discuss what religion and belief can really do to every lives. * To expose the cruelties, graft and corruption of the false government and honestly show the wrong doings of the Filipinos that led to further failure. The Title of the Novel * Noli Me Tangere is a Latin phrase which means “touch me not”. * The words are taken from the Gospel of Saint John 20:13-17. Cover Page of Noli Me Tangere * cross- sufferings * pomelo blossoms and laurel leaves- honor and fidelity * burning torch- rage and passion * sunflowers- enlightenment * silhouette of a Filipina- Maria Clara * bamboo stalks that were cut down and grew back- resilience * a man in a cassock with hairy feet- priests using religion in dirty way * chains- slavery * whips- cruelties * helmet of the guardia civil- arrogance of those with authority * Top: all the best in the Philippine life woman- constancy; religious faith tombstone with laurel leaves- courage words partly covered by the title- are secret inner dedication by Rizal to his parents left of the title- flower mirasol- representing youth seeking the sun author’s name- green of renewal, mounting up to the green of the most enduring of all Philippine trees, the bamboo Bottom: all that is worst in the Philippine life helmet of the Civil guard, whip and instruments of torture and feet of a friar The Author’s Dedication * To My Country/ To My Fatherland * human sufferings are considered as social cancer * seeking for the best treatment, exposure of these will offer them a remedy * As a true son of his fatherland, Rizal considered himself responsible for any defects and weakness of his country. Major Characters Rizal included more than 30 characters in the novel. The following are the major characters in the story: * Crisostomo Ibarra – Juan Crisostomo Ibarra Y Magsalin * 7 years studied in Europe * love interest of Maria Clara * son of Don Rafael Ibarra * Elias – Ibarra’s mysterious friend * master boater, fugitive * the pilot * wants to revolutionize his country * Maria Clara – Maria Clara de los Santos * Ibarra’s sweetheart * illegitimate daughter of Father Damaso and Pia Alba * Father Damaso Verdoglagas – Franciscan friar * Maria Clara’s biological father * Don Filipo – close relative of Ibarra; filibuster * Linares – distant nephew of Don Tiburcio de Españada; would be fiancé of Maria Clara * Captain General (name unknown) – most powerful official in the Philippines * hater of secular priest and corrupt officials; friend of Ibarra * Tandang Pablo – leader of rebels; whose family was destroyed because of Spaniards * Sisa – mother of Basilio and Crispin; went insane after losing her sons * Pedro – husband of Sisa; loves cockfighting * Basilio – elder son of Sisa * Crispin – younger son; died from the punishment of the soldiers from false accusation of stealing an amount of money * Padre Sibyla – Hernando de la Sibyla; Filipino friar; short and has fair skin * Kapitan Tiago – Don Santiago de los Santos; known father of Maria Clara * Padre Salvi – Bernardo Salvi; secret admirer of Maria Clara * Pilosopo Tasyo – Don Anastacio; portrayed in novel as pessimistic, cynic and mad by his neighbors * the Alferez – chief of the guardia civil; mortal enemy of the priests for power in San Diego * Don Tiburcio – Spanish husband of Donya Victorina who is limp and submissive to his wife; pretends to be a doctor * Donya Victorina – Donya Victorina delos Reyes de De Españada; woman who passes herself off as a peninsular * Doña Consolacion – wife of the alferez; abusive treatment to Sisa Synopsis – The novel contains 63 chapters and an epilogue. * reception given by Capitan Tiago for the homecoming of Crisostomo Ibarra * the conversation centered on Ibarra’s studies and travels abroad * Lieutenant Guevarra told Ibarra the sad story of his father’s death in San Diego * Ibarra visited Maria Clara, his childhood sweetheart * Ibarra went to San Diego to visit his father’s grave * found out that it was removed by order of the parish priest * learned that Father Damaso was responsible behind the story of his father’s death * Ibarra met Tasio the Philosopher * tale of Sisa * saving of Elia’s life by Ibarra * song of Maria Clara * project about the school house * plot to kill Ibarra * Ibarra’s attack on Padre Damaso * fight between two ludicrous señoras * story of Elias * Ibarra was arrested * Ibarra’s escaped * epilogue Missing Chapter of Noli * Elias and Salome * follows ChapterXXIV- In the Woods * Rizal thought that reducing the pages of manuscript, the cost of printing will be reduced. * Salome waiting for Elias * reasons for Salome’s leaving * Elias refused to go with Salome Noli Based on the Truth * Maria Clara – Leonor Rivera * Ibarra and Elias – Rizal * Tasio – brother Paciano * Padre Salvi – Padre Antonio Piernavieja, the hated Augustinian friar * Capitan Tiago – Capitan Hilario Sunico * Doña Victorina – Doña Agustina Medel * Basilio and Crispin – Crisostomo brothers of Hagonoy * Padre Damaso – typical domineering friar, arrogant, immoral and anti- Filipino Viola, Savior of Noli * Dr. Maximo Viola, friend of Rizal from a rich family of San Miguel Bulacan lends Rizal P300 to finance the publishing of Noli MeTangere. Printing and Publishing * February 21, 1887 – Noli was finally finished and ready for printing * Berliner Buchdruckrei- Action- Gesselschaft- printing shop * 300 pesos for 2,000 copies Social Impact * considered to be romantic but more of socio- historical because of its nature * considered one of the instruments that initiated Filipino nationalism that led to 1896 Philippine Revolution * originally written in Spanish because Rizal want it to be read by the Spanish authorities * according to catholic leaders, the novel was heretical, to the Spanish colonial authorities it was subversive and against the government * expulsion of his clan, extradition cases * led to decision to write El Filibusterismo * Noli was more delicate and does not invoke rebellion El Filibusterismo, 1891 “ To me El Filibusterismo as a novel is inferior to the Noli, so I receive with a grain of salt the opinion of those who tell that the Fili is superior to the Noli. “ - Jose Rizal The Writing of El Fili * El Filibusterismo was the second novel of Jose Rizal,the sequel of Noli Me Tangere, which he began writing in October, 1887 while he was practicing medicine in Calamba. * It is very similar to A. Dumas’ French classic, The Count of Monte Cristo. Both illustrate a man’s intent to avenge himself and get back his beloved fiancée. * It has little humor, less idealism and less romance compared to Noli Me Tangere. * It is more revolutionary and more tragic than the first novel. * He wrote the chapters of the novel in London, Paris and Madrid. After three years of writing the novel, he finished it in Biarritz on March 29, 1891. * Fili was a representative of Rizal’s dilemma to reconcile his faltering hope for securing Philippine independence with his belief in nonviolent struggle. * F. Meyer- Van Loo Press, No.66 Viaanderen Street- printing house where El Fili was printed. * Septemebr 18, 1891- the novel finally came off the press

Cover Page, Manuscript and Title of the Novel * The original manuscript was Rizal’s own handwriting. * Two features of manuscript did not print: Foreword and Warning. * The title page of el Fili contains an inscription written by Ferdinand Blumentrit. Author’s Dedication * El Filibusterismo was mainly dedicated to GOMBURZA. Major Characters * Simoun – Crisostomo Ibarra; he resurfaced as the wealthy jeweler fueled by his mistreatment at the hands of the Spaniards and his anger at Maria Clara’s fate. * Basilio – son of Sisa; graduating medical student who befriended Simoun. * Isagani Villamor – Basilio’s friend, the man who removed the explosive lamp, thus sabotaging Simoun’s plans. * Kabesang Tales – former cabeza de barangay of Sagpang; resurfaced as the feared Luzon bandit Matanglawin. * Don Custodio – Custodio de Salazar y Sanchez de Monteredondo, a famous journalist married rich woman in order to be a member of Manila’s high society. * Paulita Gomez- girlfriend of Isagani; niece of Doña Victorina; married Juanito Pelaez in the end * Macaraig - classmate of Isagani; rich student and serve as a leader of the students yearning to build the Academia Castellano * Father Florentino – Isagani’s godfather; secular priest; chooses an assignment to a remote area living in solitude near the sea. * Juli San Jose – Juliana de Dios; girlfriend of Basilio; youngest daughter of Kabesang Tales; committed suicide after Father Camorra attempted to rape her. * Juanito Pelaez – belong to noble Spanish ancestry * Father Camorra – lustful parish priest of Tiani * Hermana Penchang – offers Juli to be her maid so she can obtain money to flee Kabesang Tales * Father Irene – Capitan Tiago’s spiritual adviser; only witness to Capitan Tiago’s death; forged the last will and testament so Basilio will obtain nothing from the inheritance. * Hermana Bali – another gambler in Tiani; became Juli’s mother- figure and counselor; helped to release Kabesang Tales from hands of bandits. * Father Fernandez – a priest; friend of Isagani Synopsis – Rizal’s second novel contains 39 chapters. * Crisostomo Ibarra returned to the Philippines as Simoun. * Simoun planned to overthrow the government during the wedding of Paulita Gomez. * Isagani, friend of Basilio removed the explosive lamp. * The revolutionary plot was discovered. * Simoun eluded arrest by taking poison. * As he was dying, Simoun confesses to Padre Florentino, revealing his true identity. Social Impact * El Filibusterismo certainly brought his people closer to the desired freedom by suggesting the second alternative and that was complete revolution. * Bonifacio was inspired leading to the foundation of Katipunan. * The novel cannot be seen in black and white as revolutionary or evolutionary, but rather as a beautiful combination of the accumulation of the feelings of a people suppressed for three hundred years, and expressing and giving direction to their future freedom. * The revolutionary Katipunan took Rizal as their model even if he himself had disavowed their movement, and used his name as their secret password. * It was used as evidence for Rizal’s execution. “Noli” and “Fili” Compared * Noli is a romantic novel; it is a work of the heart—a book of feeling. * Fili is a political novel; it is a work of the head--- a book of the thought. * Rizal as well as M.H. del Pilar considered Noli as superior the Fili. * However, for Blumentritt, Jaena and Dr. Rafael Palma, Fili is superior to Noli. * Because of its exquisite delicate, literary style, its easy and correct dialogue, its clear phraseology, vigorous and elegant, as for its profound ideas and sublime thoughts. * Both are good novels from the point of view of history. * Both depict the realistic colors the actual conditions of the Philippines and the Filipinos during the decadent days of Spanish rule. * Both are instrumental in awakening the spirit of Filipino nationalism. * Both are responsible in paving the ground for the Philippine revolution that brought about the downfall of Spain.