THE LIFE & WORKS OF RIZAL:

Rizal’s Publication of Noli Me Tangere

in BerliN

COLON, JOHN ACHILLES V.

TABAÑAR, Sergei Benjamin S.
BSIT-2A
 PARTS
I. INTRODUCTION

II. DISCUSSION

III. ANALYSIS

IV. CONCLUSION

V. REFERENCES
 I.
INTRODUCTION
I. INTRODUCTION

In th e h ar sh win te r o f 1886 in Berlin, Jose Rizal faced immense adversity,

g rap p lin g with h un g er, illness, and depression while striving to publish his
d eb u t no v el, No li Me Tangere. Dr. Maximo Viola, a friend from Bulacan,
p ro vid ed c ruc ial fin ancial support, enabling Rizal to bring his vision to
fru ition . Desp ite f in ancial constraints and linguistic challenges, Rizal
p erse v ere d, de libe rate ly choosing Spanish for his novel to reach a broader
au d ien ce in the Philippines. His determination and commitment to his
p rinc iple s p aid o ff, as the publication of Noli Me Tang ere marked a
tran sfo rm ativ e m o me nt, garnering widespread acclaim for its insightful
cr itiq u e o f so c ie tal o p pression and its profound impact on Filipino readers,
so lidify ing Rizal's legacy as a national hero.
II. DISCUSSION
IDEA OF WRITING A NOVEL
ON THE PHILIPPINES
• Dr. Jose Riza l c onceived the idea of writing a novel depicting the
suffe ring of his people under Spanish oppression, inspired by
Harriet Be ec he r Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin.

• The nov el wa s proposed to be written as a collaborative effort

amo ng Filipinos du ring a reunion at the Paterno residence in Madrid
on Ja nu a ry 2, 188 4.

• The nov el wou ld c over various facets of Philippine life. But Rizal's
com pa triots fa ile d to contribute, so he decided to undertake the
writing of the n ove l alone.
THE WRITING OF THE “NOLI”
• Jose Riz a l b eg a n writing his novel Noli Me Tangere in Madrid in
1884, c om ple ting a bout half of it before moving to Paris in 1885.

• He fin ish ed on e -h alf of the second half of the novel in Paris and the
last fou rth o f th e novel in Germany, writing the final chapters in
Wilhe lm sfeld from April to June 1886.

• He c on te mp la te d the Noli Me Tangere manuscript's destruction in a

mome nt o f de sp air, as he saw no hope in having it published.
THE WRITING OF THE “NOLI”
• Years la te r, h e to ld his friend, Fernando Canon:

"I did not believe that the Noli Me Tangere

would ever be published when I was in Berlin,
broken-hearted, weakened, and discouraged from
hunger and deprivation. I was on the point of
throwing my work into the fire as a thing accursed
and fit only to die.”
 VIOLA, SAVIOR OF THE
“NOLI”
• Dr. Ma xim o Viola, a scion of a wealthy family in San Miguel,
Bula c an , a nd a friend of Rizal, generously agreed to finance the
prin ting c osts of Noli Me Tangere.

• By this time , Riz al decided to delete certain passages from the

man usc ript, inc lu ding a whole chapter titled "Elias and Salome," to
save on printing e xpenses.

• Rizal a nd Viola also found the Berliner Buchdruckrei-Action-

Gesse lsch aft, a printing shop that offered the lowest rate of 300
peso s fo r 2,000 c opies of the novel.
 RIZAL SUSPECTED AS A
FRENCHY SPY
• The police in Berlin suspected Rizal, who had lived in Paris, of being a
French spy due to his frequent visits to rural areas, arousing suspicion amid
strained relations between F rance and Germany.

• The chief of police visited Jose Rizal and requested to see his passport, a
document that was not mandatory for travel at the time. As Rizal didn't
have one, he was given a four-day ultimatum to secure a passport or face
deportation.

• Rizal explained in fluent German that he was a Filipino physician and

ethnologist, and not a F rench spy, which impressed the police chief, who
granted Rizal permission to stay freely in Germany.
 PRINTING OF THE “NOLI”
FINISHED
• On Ma rc h 2 1, 1 887, the Noli Me Tangere came off the press, and
Rizal imm ed ia te ly sent the first copies to his close friends.

• In a le tter to Blum entritt, he expresses his hope that the book would
serve a s a n im pa rtial portrayal of Tagalog life over the last ten
years.

• In gratitu de , Riza l presented Viola, on March 29, 1887, with the

galley p ro ofs o f Noli Me Tangere wrapped around the pen that he
wrote it with a nd a complimentary copy.
 PRINTING OF THE “NOLI”
FINISHED
• Ri zal ’s Letter to Blumentritt, on March 21, 1887: • Rizal's inscription on Viola's
complimentary copy of the Noli Me
"I am sending you a book. It is my first book,
Tangere:
though I have already written much before it and
received some prizes in literary competitions. It is the “To my dear friend, Maximo
first impartial and bold book on the life of the Tagalogs. Viola, the first to read and
The Filipinos will find it the history of the last ten years. appreciate my work
I hope you will notice how different are my descriptions -Jose Rizal."
from those of other writers. The government and the
friars will probably attack the work, refuting my
arguments; but I trust in the God of Truth and in the
persons who have seen the sufferings at close range. I
hope I can answer all the concepts which have been
fabricated to malign us."
 THE TITLE OF THE NOVEL
• The title Noli Me Tangere, meaning "Touch Me Not" in Latin, was
not o rigin ally tho ught of by Rizal, who admitted taking it from the
Bible .

• Rizal, in a lette r to Felix R. Hidaldo, mistakenly cited the Gospel of

St. Luk e in ste a d of the Gospel of St. John (Chapter 20, Verse 17),
which say s:
"Touch me not; I am not yet ascended to my Father, but go
to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my
Father, and your Father; and to my God and your God."
THE AUTHOR’S DEDICATION
• Riz al d ed ic ated his Noli Me Tangere to the Philippines His
dedica tion — To My Fatherland — runs as follows:
Recorded in the history of human sufferings is a cancer so malignant a character that the
least touch irritates it and awakens in it the sharpest pains. Thus, how many times, when in
the midst of modern civilizations I have wished to call thee before me, now to accompany
me in memories, now to compare thee with other countries, hath thy dear image presented
itself showing a social cancer like to that other!
Desiring thy welfare which is our own, and seeking the best treatment, I will do with thee
what the ancients did with their sick, exposing them on the steps of the temple so that every
one who came to invoke the Divinity might offer them a remedy.
And to this end, I will strive to reproduce thy condition faithfully, without discriminations;
I will raise a part of the veil that covers the evil, sacrificing to truth everything, even
vanity itself, since, as thy son I am conscious that I also suffer from thy defects and
weaknesses.
 SYNOPSIS OF THE “NOLI”
• The nov el Noli Me Tangere centers around the character Crisostomo
Ibarra a nd co nta in s 63 chapters and an epilogue.

• Ibarra fac e s ch a lle nges from the corrupt parish priest Padre Damaso
and his suc ce ssor Padre Salvi, who are determined to thwart Ibarra's
plan s fo r a sch ool. Portraying the difficulties of implementing
mea ningful re fo rm s.

• The sto ry un fo lds with tragic consequences, leading to Ibarra's

presum e d de ath and Maria Clara, Ibarra's sweetheart, entering a
nunne ry.
 THE “NOLI” BASED ON
TRUTH
• Jose Riz a l's Noli Me Tangere depicts a true story of Philippine
cond itio ns durin g the last decades of Spanish rule. With Rizal
stating th at th e y were all true and could be proven by him.

• The ch a ra c te rs in the novel were drawn from real people who

existe d during Riz al's time, such as Ibarra and Elias representing
Rizal, Pa dre Sa lvi as Padre Antonio Piernavieja, an Augustinian
fria r in Cav ite who was killed during the Revolution, Padre Damaso
as the typica l a rro gant, immoral, and anti-Filipino friar during the
days of Riza l.
 MISSING CHAPTER OF THE
“NOLI”
• In the origin al m a nuscript of Noli Me Tangere, there was a chapter
entitle d "Elia s a nd Salome."

• In this m issing c hapter, Elias meets Salome in her nipa hut by a

plac id lak e.

• The ch a pte r pro ce eds with a touching dialogue between Elias and
Salome , re ve a lin g her departure to live with her relatives in
Mindoro. Elia s, burdened by his past, asks Salome to forget about
their lo ve , wa ntin g to spare Salome from his misfortunes.
 RIZAL’S FRIENDS PRAISE
THE “NOLI”
• Jose Riz a l's frien ds celebrated and praised his novel. Rizal also
expre sse d c onfid en ce in the truthfulness of his work.

• Blum en tritt pra ise d the novel's depth and its impact on the spiritual
deve lo pme nt o f th e Filipino people, as well as Rizal exceeding his
expe c ta tio ns.

• Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor was impressed by Rizal's ability to expose

the fla ws in the e xisting system, and that every Filipino patriot who
read s h is nov el will be inspired.
III. ANALYSIS
III.A ANALYSIS
The origin of Noli Me Tangere reveals a profound and
determined journey undertaken by Dr. Jose Rizal,
reflecting his commitment to exposing the suffering of his
people under Spanish oppression. Inspired by Harriet
Beecher Stowe's impactful work, Uncle Tom's Cabin, a
powerful narrative that exposed the cruelties of American
slavery. Commencing the writing process in 1884, Rizal's
narrative prowess began shaping the novel's essence.
III.A ANALYSIS
He moved from place to place, while continuing the writing
of his manuscript, emphasizing the scope of Rizal's
intellectual and creative journey. Rizal's emotional turmoil
during the final stages of writing, nearly destroying his
work in a moment of despair, shows the emotional and
physical struggles he endured, including hunger and
depression. However, Rizal's resilience shines through as he
pushed through with his work, ensuring the completion and
publication of Noli Me Tangere.
III.B ANALYSIS

The process of printing and publishing Noli Me Tangere

involved not only the creative aspects of writing but also
navigating financial and political challenges. Dr. Maximo
Viola's pivotal role as a patron and financial supporter
highlights the importance of external assistance in
realizing Rizal's vision. Viola's generosity not only
financed the printing costs but also provided for Rizal's
living expenses during a challenging period.
III.B ANALYSIS

This financial support allowed Rizal to focus on his

writing without being hindered by economic constraints,
emphasizing the importance of patronage in the arts. His
correspondence with friends like Viola and Evaristo
Aguirre, and also his older brother, Paciano Rizal,
reflects Rizal’s unwavering dedication to his literary
venture, despite facing financial setbacks and health
issues.
III.C ANALYSIS
Rizal’s decision to write Noli Me Tangere in Spanish amid
colonization raises questions about language and cultural
identity. This analysis explores the implications of writing
in the language of the colonizers, emphasizing Rizal’s
dedication to fostering cultural identity and resistance
against colonial forces. Noli Me Tangere goes beyond
being a literary masterpiece as it also became a catalyst for
social change, critiquing Spanish colonial rule and
inspiring Filipino patriotism.
III.C ANALYSIS

Rizal's legacy extends far beyond the pages of his

novel, leaving an indelible mark on the quest for
Filipino independence and identity. The publication
of Noli Me Tangere in Berlin, therefore, stands not
only as a historical event but as a testament to the
enduring power of literature in inspiring change
and shaping the destiny of a nation.
IV. CONCLUSION
IV. CONCLUSION

Jose Rizal's journey in writing Noli Me Tangere highlights his strong commitment
to revealing the injustices faced by Filipinos under Spanish colonial rule. Inspired
by Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin, Rizal set out to ignite social
change. Despite financial challenges and suspicions of spying, he persisted with
unwavering patriotism and support from friends like Maximo Viola, ultimately
seeing his novel published in 1887. Noli Me Tangere's powerful depiction of
characters and the harsh realities of colonial oppression deeply resonated with
readers, making it a beloved literary work and historical treasure. Rizal's dedication
to truth and love for his country continue to inspire, reminding us of literature's
ability to drive change and challenge injustice. Let's honor Rizal's legacy by
advocating for equality, justice, and freedom for everyone.
V. REFERENCES
V. REFERENCES
Alvin Jr Galang. (2021, January 3). CHAPTER 8: NOLI ME TANGERE PUBLISHED IN BERLIN (1887) |
Alvin Galang [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hWyEWavVcY

Coates, A. (1992). Rizal: Philippine Nationalist and Martyr [PDF]. Solidaridad Publishing House.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1s5yPNkyUdbV5NAPkbPTnLhAp1bSfXsTv/view?usp=drive_link (Original
work published 1967)

Francia, L. H. (n.d.). INTRODUCTION TO JOSÉ RIZAL’S NOLI ME TANGERE. Penguin Random

House. Retrieved February 3, 2024, from
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/291131/noli-me-tangere-touch-me-not-by-jose-rizal/9780143
039693/readers-guide/

Guerrero, L. M. (1974). The First Filipino (5th ed.) [PDF]. National Historical Commission.
http://www.xeniaeditrice.it/firstfilipinoocrpdf.pdf (Original work published 1963)

Zaide, G. F., & Zaide, S. M. (1983). José Rizal: Life, Works, and Writings of a Genius, Writer, Scientist, and
National Hero (2nd ed.) [Online Book]. All-Nations Publishing Co., Inc.
https://www.scribd.com/doc/119167419/Jose-Rizal-Book-by-Zaide-2nd-Ed (Original work published 1957)