Noli Me Tangere (novel)
Noli Me Tangere is a novel written by José Rizal, and published in 1887. The name is Latin, and means "do not touch me." Rizal took these words from the Bible, specifically the Gospel of St. John 20: 13-17.Rizal started his novel in Madrid, Spain. Half was done by the time he left for Paris, and it was completed in Berlin, Germany.
The Spanish authorities, particularly Padre Damaso, hated and feared Crisostomo Ibarra, a young, wealthy, European-educated Filipino, because he had patriotic ideas of helping his oppressed countrymen.Significance
The book was instrumental in creating a racial Filipino identity and
consciousness as many Filipinos identified with their respective
regions to the advantage of the Spanish authorities. It lampooned, caricatured and exposed various elements in the colonial society.Synopsis
The book is a social novel narrating the romance of Crisostomo Ibarra and Maria Clara. Crisostomo Ibarra is the son of Don Rafael Ibarra, and had studied in Europe. Maria Clara is a girl blessed with beauty, grace and charm. She is the daughter of a Spanish fray (priest), Padre Damaso and a Filipina, Dona Pia Alba who married Capitan Tiago.