Noli Me Tangere - Lecture Notes Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering the history, symbols, and characters of Jose Rizal's novel Noli Me Tangere based on student lecture notes.

March 21, 1887

The date when the first novel Noli Me Tangere came off the press in Berlin.

Dr. Maximo Viola

Rizal's friend from Bulacan who arrived in Berlin and loaned him the needed funds to publish the novel; known as the savior of the Noli.

Uncle Tom's Cabin

A novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe that inspired Rizal to prepare a novel depicting the miseries of the Filipino people under Spanish rule.

Berliner Buchdruckrei-Action Gesselschaft

The printing shop in Berlin that charged the lowest rate of $300$ pesos for $2000$ copies of the novel.

Upper Triangle

The portion of the Noli Me Tangere cover that represented Rizal's past life.

Lower Triangle

The portion of the Noli Me Tangere cover that represented Rizal's current situations.

Silhouette of a Filipina

The image on the cover believed to be Maria Clara or 'Inang Bayan' (Motherland) to whom Rizal dedicated the novel.

Hairy Legs

The cover symbol for the 'Legend of the Wolf', representing how friars hide their true nature and character.

Bamboo Stalks

Represent Filipino resiliency, showing that despite sufferings, Filipinos can still stand tall and firm.

Noli Me Tangere (literal meaning)

A Latin phrase which means 'Touch Me Not'.

Gospel of St. John

The actual Biblical source of the phrase 'Noli Me Tangere' (Chapter 20, Verses 13 to 17), which Rizal originally misattributed to St. Luke.

Social Cancer

The metaphor Rizal used in his dedication to describe the malignant condition of the Philippines, where the least touch irritates and awakens sharp pain.

Leonor Rivera

The real-life person who served as the prototype for the character Maria Clara.

Paciano

Rizal's elder brother who was the real-life inspiration for the character Tasio the philosopher.

Indio

The derogatory term used by Spaniards for Filipinos during the colonization, implying they were foolish, not smart, and poor.

Sisa

The mother of Crispin and Basilio who represents the 'Inang Bayan' or Motherland rendered an outcast by the ill-treatment of Spaniards.

Crisostomo Ibarra

A rich and rebellious character who fought for freedom and represented Jose Rizal's own persona.

Elias

A character representing Rizal himself who was poor and oppressed but sacrificed his life so Ibarra could escape.

Suplina (Flogs)

A symbol on the cover used for self-flagellation, representing the cruelties of the Guardia Civil.

Burning Torch

A symbol on the cover representing the awakening of Filipino consciousness and shedding light on the manuscript's text.