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"Noli Me Tangere," the first novel written by the Philippine’s national hero Jose Rizal, mirrors its creator’s persistence

in attaining freedom from the Spaniards. True enough, as Rizal aimed to redeem the country and its people by

exposing the barbarity, greed, cruelty and ignorance of the Spanish colonizers, his work reflected the struggles of the

Tagalogs — being the first to project such a bold account of living in the 1800s in the Philippines. Likewise, as "Noli

Me Tangere" portrays the different aspects of gaining independence, Jose Rizal focuses on social climbers, abusive

power, family devotion, self sacrifice, and purity and faithfulness.

Social Climbers

Representing the various classes of society during the late 1800s in the Philippines, Jose Rizal includes personalities

such as Doña Victorina and Capitan Tiago. These characters, indeed, show how people tend to associate with higher

classes of society, specifically the Spaniards and the illustrados (“learned" ones) and mestizos. Capitan Tiago, in this

instance, portrays this character as he gives friars lumps of money as ecclesiastical donations and even invites the
parish curate at his home every dinner. Aside from that, he also supports the government’s tax increases, leading to

his title of gobernadorcillo, the highest post a non-Spaniard can attain.

Meanwhile, Doña Victorina’s character in the novel shows an obsession in becoming Spanish. She does this by

covering her face with too much makeup, dressing just like Spanish women, speaking Spanish (though incorrectly),

and basically promotes the “colonial mentality" as she prefers being just like a Spaniard when in fact she is a Filipino.

Abusive Power

Having been colonized by Spaniards since the 1500s, the author depicts the Filipinos suffering abuse from civil

guards, friars and other government officials. Using their power to mistreat civilians, the civil guards harass them

because of simple causes, such as not rendering the customary salute, not being able to show identification cards, etc.

The same goes with friars who commercialize religion through simony and plenary indulgence. Government officials,

likewise, make use of their power to control those whom they believe would be detrimental to the Spanish rule. Just

as Crisostomo Ibarra, the main character in the novel, experiences this through the death of his father (Don Rafael),

this theme in "Noli Me Tangere" comes to life.

Family Devotion

Never forgetting the positive qualities of the Filipinos, Jose Rizal still highlights devotion to one’s family through

Crisostomo Ibarra, Maria Clara and Sisa. With the death of Don Rafael, Ibarra’s father, Crisostomo traces all means to

seek for justice. This is also true with Maria Clara, an obedient daughter to Capitan Tiago. Consenting to her father’s

request that she marry a Spaniard (as requested by Padre Damaso), Maria Clara adheres to this (but gets very ill
afterward). Sisa, on the other hand, definitely shows her devotion to her family by doing everything to serve her

family. Considering her children (Basilio and Crispin) as her treasures, she endures the trials she goes through just to

keep them secure.

Self Sacrifice
Just as Jose Rizal sacrificed himself for his country, "Noli Me Tangere" also conveys this message all throughout its

text. Starting off with Sisa’s never-ending sacrifices for her children, she withstands her husband’s beatings and even

takes on the journey of finding her sons, thereby showing her real love as a mother.

Purity and Faithfulness

Maria Clara portrays purity and faithfulness as she remains true to her love for Crisostomo Ibarra. Even though she is

engaged to a Spaniard, she still does not submit herself to him because of her undying love for Ibarra. Thus, she

prefers to become a nun and hence dies afterward when Padre Salvi rapes her.

Patriotism

Another very evident theme in the novel turns out to be patriotism. Portrayed by Crisostomo Ibarra and Elias, these

two men earnestly desire for independence from the oppressors. Although different in their means for seeking

reform, they both profess their goals.

Since Elias resolves for a revolt against the Spaniards, he finds all means to lead a revolution against the friars, civil

guards and government officials. Believing that God will bring forth justice over Filipinos depicts patriotism by all

means.

All in all, "Noli Me Tangere" shall forever remain as one of the most powerful tools the Philippines has ever had to

spread awareness on the “social cancer" and to fight for independence. As Jose Rizal used various themes to spread

the word regarding the battle against abusive power, injustice, false religious claims and other inappropriate dealings

with innocent people, the cause Rizal started more than a hundred years ago shall endure.
 References

Gagelonia, Pedro A. Rizal's Life, Works, and Writings. National Bookstore, Inc., 1974.

Jose Rizal University. "Noli Me Tangere: Mga Tauhan", https://www.joserizal.ph/no02.html

Image Credit: Jose Rizal on a Mug by Michael Francis McCarthy under CC BY 2.0

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