NOLI ME TANGERE

The Social Cancer

CHARACTERS in Noli Me Tangere Juan Crisostomo Ibarra

He is the only son of Don Rafael Ibarra, the richest person in San Diego

He studied in Europe for 7 years, and is the sweetheart of Maria Clara.

Symbolizes the idealism of the privileged youth

CHARACTERS in Noli Me Tangere Maria Clara

She is the girlfriend of Ibarra. As far as the society is concerned, she is the daughter of Kapitan Tiyago and Doña Pia Alba, but biologically, her father is Padre Damaso.

Symbolizes the ideal woman in the mind of Rizal.

Said to represent Rizal’s childhood sweetheart, Leonor Rivera

CHARACTERS in Noli Me Tangere Sisa

Mother of Basilio and Crispin. She has a drunkard for a husband. In the

novel Sisa portrays a loving mother, and it could be assumed that Rizal likened her to his own mother.

Symbolizes the country, and the way it is abused by the Spaniards

CHARACTERS in Noli Me Tangere Doña Pia Alba

She is the mother of Maria Clara and the wife of Kapitan Tiyago. She symbolizes our country, which ceaselessly gives in to foreign power

CHARACTERS in Noli Me Tangere Capitan Tiago

The father of Maria Clara, as far as the society knows. Sometimes lovable, and sometimes annoying. He is very biased and is only obedient to those who are higher in rank than him. He has money on a pedestal.

Symbolizes the pretentious illustrados of Rizal’s time

CHARACTERS in Noli Me Tangere Fray Damaso

He is the first parish priest in San Diego; he is very abusive. He symbolizes the greedy Spanish friars of Rizal's time.

CHARACTERS in Noli Me Tangere Fray Salvi

He is a Franciscan parish priest of San Diego. Because he is interested in Maria Clara, he and Padre Damaso devised a plan to break Ibarra and Maria Clara apart. They were successful.

Symbolizes the lecherous friars of Rizal’s time

CHARACTERS in Noli Me Tangere Donya Consolacion

Her adulation of the Spaniards leads her to imitate the very actions and attitudes of the Spanish women. She symbolizes the Filipinos in our society who are ashamed of their own race and nationality.

CHARACTERS in Noli Me Tangere Donya Victorina

She is a Filipino woman married to a Spaniard. Her very actions and way of dressing will lead people to think that she is a whore.

Symbolizes the social climbers at that time.

CHARACTERS in Noli Me Tangere Elias

He believes that justice can be obtained only through revolution --- reforms simply won't do. He symbolizes the very root of the Filipino culture before the coming of the Spaniards, which remained strong and unbroken by the Spanish culture.

CHARACTERS in Noli Me Tangere Pilosopong Tasyo

He is a wise man. He embodies the intelligent people, who never left the country but instead educated themselves in a religious institution.