Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not) (Penguin Classics)

THE NOLI ME TANGERE SUMMARY

This author/ophthalmologist/Philippine hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, wrote an epic based on his experiences during the spanish era. The book was originally written in Spanish, first published in 1887 in Berlin. Later it was translated into Tagalog (although the kind of Tagalog spoken back then). In other words, it's like the filipino version of a Shakespearean work...damn near impossible to read! It says the translation of the title is "Touch Me Not" or sometimes "Do Not Desire Me", but a more accurate translation would be "Cease Holding onto Me".

Rizal's alter ego, Crisostomo Ibarra, was a filipino bachelor who after seven years of studying in Europe, returned to the Philippines. He first visited a young lady by the name of Maria Clara, his fiancee. She was a daughter of Captain Tiago, a rich man who was affiliated with the church and was oppressive to the poor.

On his way back to his house, he encountered Guevara, a civil guard who told Crisostomo that his father was dead. He elaborated that he was sentenced for defending a poor filipino student who was needlessly beaten by a spaniard on his way to school. When the spaniard intended to retaliate, Don Ibarra struck him in the head with a stone which killed him. He was sent to prison and died of sickness. Father Damaso, who always hated Don Ibarra, sent somebody to take him out of the Catholic grave and to put him in the Chinese cementery. Because it was raining that day and the corpse was particularly heavy, Don Ibarra's body was recklessly thrown into a nearby lake.

Instead of seeking revenge, Crisostomo proceeded to do what his father intended to do before he died. He built a prestigious school just like those in Germany. At the celebration and blessing of its opening night, Crisostomo would have been killed if it weren't for his friend, Elias, who heard about Father Damaso's intent to assassinate him. The bullet missed and the priest's plan was foiled.

At the banquet following the celebration, Father Damaso's hateful speech about Don Ibarra nearly drove Crisostomo to slit his throat with a knife but Maria Clara stopped him. Because of this incident, Crisostomo was sent to the Arch Bishop and was ex-communicated. During which time, the priest convinced Captain Tiago to sever Maria Clara's wedding agreement with Ibarra. They newly elected a spaniard by the name of Linares, a newcomer to the Philippines.

Ibarra arranged papers appealing his situation, and was granted. However, this was short-lived. He was yet again framed and sent to jail for leading a riot which destroyed the civil house. During the trial, a letter written by Crisostomo to Maria Clara gave evidence that he was innocent. The case was settled and he was set free. Upon leaving, Crisostomo spoke to Maria Clara alone.

He scolded her for revealing the secret letters he wrote her, even though it meant evidence that aided his case. He made her swear that she would get it back and keep it safe. Maria Clara lied and swore she would, even though she knew that the letters had already been stolen and was replaced by other letters. These letters were written by Maria Clara's mother before she was born. They revelealed that Maria Clara was not a true daughter of Captain Tiago and confessed that Father Damaso was her real biological father. She then told Crisostomo that the reason why Father Damaso hated Ibarra is because her mother's last wish was for her daughter to marry the spaniard, Linares. Maria Clara assured him that even though this was the case, her love for him will never fade away.

They were interrupted by Elias, who informed Crisostomo that he needed to flee. He helped him escape in a boat filled with grass for Ibarra to hide under. They passed through the river and was almost out the bay when the spanish guards caught them. To distract them, Elias jumped into the water. They shot at him until he swam no more.

The next day, the newspaper stated that Crisostomo Ibarra was dead. She lost hope and resigned to be a nun. Father Damaso refused but she threatened to kill herself if her wish was not granted. Two days later, Elias surfaced near-death. He screamed, "I will die without seeing the bright dawn of a new day in my country! To those who will see, greet her--and don't forget those who were silenced in the dark of night!"