About José Rizal

1. Full Name: José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonzo Realonda

2. Birthdate: June 19, 1861

3. Death: December 30, 1896

4. Cause of Death: Execution by firing squad in Bagumbayan (now Rizal Park)

5. Nationality: Filipino

6. Occupation: Ophthalmologist (Eye Doctor), Writer, Nationalist

7. Language of Noli Me Tangere: Spanish

Juan Crisóstomo Ibarra y Magsalin

• Studied in Europe for seven years.

• Returns with dreams of reform and plans to build a school.

• He is idealistic and believes in peaceful reform through education.

• Downfall: Falsely accused of rebellion and declared a filibustero.

• Transformation:

  • At first, Ibarra is calm and hopeful for reform.

  • After betrayal, he abandons peaceful ways and seeks revenge.

María Clara de los Santos

• Officially the daughter of Kapitan Tiago, but Padre Dámaso is her biological father.

• Raised in a convent, symbolizing the ideal Filipina—beautiful, modest, and obedient.

• Deeply in love with Ibarra and remains loyal to him.

• Her Suffering:

  • Forced to marry Linares after Ibarra is accused.

  • Heartbroken after learning of Ibarra’s "death".

  • Joins a convent against her will, likely suffering abuse.

Elias: The Tragic Revolutionary

• Comes from a wealthy family disgraced by a crime accusation.

• Seeks justice and wants to inspire a revolution against Spanish rule.

• Role in the Story:

  • Helps Ibarra escape from prison.

  • Tries to convince Ibarra to join the revolution, but Ibarra initially refuses.

  • A true hero who sacrifices himself for Ibarra.

• Death: Shot while fleeing, dies alone by a riverbank.

His famous last words: 

"Mamamatay akong hindi man lang makikita ang ningning ng bukang-liwayway sa aking Bayan. Kayong mga makakakita, salubungin ninyo siya at huwag ninyong kalimutan ang mga taong nalugmok sa dilim ng gabi," 

Sisa, Basilio, and Crispín:
The Symbol of Suffering

• Sisa: A loving mother who goes insane searching for her children.

• Basilio: The elder son, escapes the guards, later becomes a doctor and joins the revolution in El Filibusterismo.

• Crispín: The younger son, falsely accused of stealing, beaten to death by the sacristan mayor.

Padre Dámaso and the Corrupt Friars

• Padre Dámaso: A cruel Spanish friar, secretly María Clara’s father, abuses power and interferes in people’s lives. Kicked out of San Diego after his conflicts with Ibarra.

• Padre Salví: Lusts after María Clara and manipulates people for power, frames Ibarra for rebellion. Became the new parish priest of San Diego.

• Padre Sibyla: A Dominican priest, intelligent but still corrupt. Works as vice-rector of the University of Santo Tomas.

• Padre Fernandez: A rare good priest who later supports Filipino rights.

Other Important Characters

• Kapitan Tiago (Don Santiago de los Santos) – A wealthy Filipino who is submissive to Spanish rule, María Clara’s "FATHER".

• Tasio (Pilosopo Tasio) – An old philosopher who is seen as either wise or crazy by the townspeople.

• Doña Victorina – A vain and arrogant Filipina who despises her own race and pretends to be a Spanish woman, married to Don Tiburcio. 

• Don Tiburcio de Espadaña – A Spanish man pretending to be a doctor, dominated by his wife Doña Victorina.

• Linares –(the fake dude) A young Spanish man chosen as María Clara’s husband.

• Lucas – A man who plots against Ibarra and manipulates others for money.

• Tarcilo and Bruno – (Tarcilio who died hanging above the dirty well) Brothers who join the rebellion against Spanish rule but are executed.

The Dinner with Padre Dámaso (The Tinola Incident)

• • Upon returning to San Diego, Crisostomo Ibarra attends a dinner with prominent figures, including government officials and clergy members.

  • During the meal, Padre Dámaso openly insults Ibarra and disrespects his deceased father, Don Rafael.

  • The tension escalates when Padre Dámaso receives a bowl of chicken tinola containing only the neck and wings, while others receive the best portions. Feeling slighted, he reacts angrily, interpreting it as an intentional insult.

  • Ibarra attempts to remain composed despite the provocation, but his anger is evident, setting the stage for future confrontations.

The Cemetery Incident

• • Ibarra learns from a grave digger that his father’s remains were exhumed and thrown into the river under Padre Dámaso’s orders.

  • Overcome with grief and rage, he confronts Padre Dámaso in public, nearly killing him in a fit of anger.

  • This event deepens Ibarra’s disillusionment with the Spanish friars and their abuses of power.

The Fiesta Chaos

• • San Diego’s grand fiesta is marked by elaborate celebrations, entertainment, and religious activities.

  • However, tensions between the Spanish authorities and the locals escalate, leading to disorder and violence.

  • The incident underscores the stark social divide, highlighting the oppression and exploitation of the common people by the elite.

Sisa’s Fate

• • Sisa, a loving mother, desperately searches for her missing sons, Crispín and Basilio, who have been falsely accused of theft and severely punished.

  • She is mistreated and humiliated by the civil guards, further driving her to despair.

  • Eventually, she loses her sanity, wandering the streets as a madwoman.

  • In a tragic conclusion, she dies in the arms of Basilio, leaving a lasting emotional impact on the story.

Elias and Ibarra

• • Elias, a mysterious but principled revolutionary, warns Ibarra about the growing unrest among the people against Spanish rule.

  • As their friendship deepens, Elias discovers that Ibarra’s ancestor was responsible for the misfortunes of his own family.

  • Despite this revelation, Elias chooses to support Ibarra, hoping that he will use his influence to advocate for meaningful reforms.

The Failed Uprising

• • A rebellion against Spanish rule is planned but is uncovered before it can take place.

  • Ibarra is falsely accused of orchestrating the revolt and is arrested.

  • Elias attempts to aid him but is forced into hiding as he becomes a wanted man.

Ibarra’s Escape

• • With Elias’ help, Ibarra manages to break out of prison and flee.

  • During their escape, they are separated, and Elias is fatally shot while drawing attention away from Ibarra.

• When was José Rizal born? → 1861

• When did José Rizal die? → 1896

• How did José Rizal die? → He was executed

• What country was Rizal born in? → The Philippines

• What was Rizal's occupation? → An eye doctor

• What language was Noli Me Tangere written in? → Spanish

• What is Ibarra's given name? → Crisóstomo

• What is Ibarra's father's name? → Rafael

• Who is María Clara's real father? → Padre Dámaso

• Why didn’t Ibarra’s father go to confession? → He disagreed with it morally

• Why was Ibarra’s father imprisoned? → He accidentally killed a tax collector

• What are the names of Sisa’s sons? → Crispín and Basilio

• Who tries to free the elder Ibarra from prison? → Lieutenant Guevara

• What language did Padre Dámaso speak during his sermon? → Spanish

• What is the name of María Clara’s aunt? → Isabel

• Who does Ibarra describe as "the poetic embodiment of my homeland”? → María Clara

• Which priest is NOT corrupt? → None of them

• Who does Padre Salví compete with for power? → The ensign

• Why wasn’t Ibarra’s father buried in the Chinese cemetery? → It’s not allowed

• What discipline did Tasio study? → Philosophy

• What do Crispín and Basilio work as? → Kampanero

• What is Sisa’s husband’s vice? → Gambling

• What kind of building does Ibarra want to create? → A school

• Who sides with the liberals at the town meeting? → Don Filipo

• What do the guards take from Sisa? → Her money and belongings