Textual Analysis Noli Me Tangere

Textual Analysis of Noli Me Tangere

The Author and the Novel’s style, Title, Cover, Preface, Theme, Characters, Plot, Point of Conflict and Denouement

The author and the novel’s style

Technique refers to the method and devices that the author uses; style refers to language.

 The Noli me tángere can be regarded as a historical novel, as it has mostly fictional characters but also historical persons like Father Burgos who lived in actual places within a social system that was then typical of a colonized land. 

Admittedly, Rizal exaggerated a bit, as in his portrayal of characters like the friars Damaso, Salvi, and Sibyla; the two women who were preoccupied with prayers and novenas, and, the Espadañas but, on the whole, the novel follows the basic rules of realism. 

Humor worked best where a more serious presentation of the general practices of religion during that time (and even up to present time) would have given the novel a darker and pessimistic tone. 

Rizal’s description of the lavish fiesta showed the comic antics at church and the ridiculous expense for one day of festivities. 

Title

Noli me tángere

Literally translated, the Latin words “noli me tángere” means, “touch me not”

Taken from John 20:17 when Mary Magdalene holds on to Jesus and he tells her not to touch him.

John 20:17

Jesus said to her: “Stop clinging to me. For I have not yet ascended to the Father . But be on your way to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and to your Father and to my God and your God.”

Cover

CROSS- sufferings

POMELO BLOSSOMS AND LAUREL LEAVES- honor and fidelity

SILHOUETTE OF A FILIPINA- Maria Clara

BURNING TORCH- rage and passion

SUNFLOWERS- enlightenment

BAMBOO STALKS THAT WERE CUT DOWN BUT GREW BACK- resilience

A MAN IN A CASSOCK WITH HAIRY FEET- priests using religion in a dirty way

CHAINS- slavery

WHIPS- cruelties

HELMET OF THE GUARDIA CIVIL- arrogance of those in authority

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