Noli Me Tangere, written by Philippine national hero Jose Rizal, is a novel that centers around the corruption and injustices present in the Philippines during the Spanish colonization. The novel, translated as "Touch Me Not," was written in Spanish and published in Berlin in 1887.
The novel begins with the introduction of the main character, Juan Crisostomo Ibarra, who has returned to the Philippines after studying in Europe for seven years. Upon his return, he is shocked to find that his beloved father, Don Rafael Ibarra, has died under mysterious circumstances.
As Ibarra investigates his father's death, he becomes increasingly disillusioned with the corrupt and oppressive Spanish colonial government and the hypocrisy of the wealthy Philippine elite, who collude with the colonizers to maintain their own power and wealth.
One of the most prominent themes of the novel is the injustice and abuse of the Spanish friars, who use their religious authority to exploit the Philippine people. This is exemplified through the character of Father Damaso, a cruel and corrupt friar who is responsible for Don Rafael's death and plays a central role in the conflict of the novel.
Another central theme of the novel is the repression and suppression of the Philippine people, who are constantly oppressed and exploited by the colonizers and the wealthy elite. This is seen through the character of Maria Clara, Ibarra's childhood sweetheart, who is trapped in a convent and forced to become a nun against her will.
Throughout the novel, Ibarra becomes increasingly aware of the injustices and corruption present in Philippine society, and he becomes determined to fight against them. He is aided in this by his close friend, Elias, a revolutionary who encourages Ibarra to join the fight for Philippine independence.
In the end, Ibarra is forced to flee the country to avoid being captured by the Spanish authorities, but he leaves behind a legacy of resistance and the seeds of revolution that will eventually lead to the Philippines' independence from colonial rule.
Overall, Noli Me Tangere is a powerful and poignant novel that exposes the corruption and injustices present in Philippine society during the Spanish colonization. Its themes of resistance and rebellion against oppression continue to resonate with readers today.
