Characters 1
He is the protagonist of Noli Me Tangere, who returned to the Philippines after studying in Europe.
Juan Crisóstomo Ibarra
He is Ibarra’s childhood friend who later becomes a rebel and symbolizes resistance.
Elias
The tragic death of this character symbolizes the cruelty of Spanish authorities toward the poor.
Sisa
The nefarious event Simoun plans during a wedding feast.
Bomb inside kerosene lamp
This character represents blind obedience and oppression from religious authorities.
Padre Damaso (or the friar system)
She is Ibarra’s fiancée, raised by Captain Tiago and a devoted Catholic.
María Clara
The disguised identity of Crisóstomo Ibarra as a wealthy jeweler.
Simoun
Ibarra’s grand project for San Diego, meant to promote education.
Building a school
The reason Simoun’s grand revolt ultimately fails.
Isagani saves Paulita by throwing the lamp away
Noli Me Tangere is a Latin phrase meaning this, symbolizing the nation’s hidden wounds.
Touch me not
The corrupt and abusive Franciscan friar feared by the townspeople of San Diego.
Padre Damaso
The idealistic student leader who pushes for the Spanish language academy.
Basilio
The event where Ibarra is publicly humiliated by Padre Damaso.
dinner at Captain Tiago’s house
The event that sparks Basilio’s involvement in the revolution.
Juli’s death
In El Filibusterismo, this object symbolizes both hope for reform and the danger of misused power.
Simoun's Lamp
The wise, mysterious old man who lives in the woods and helps the oppressed.
Pilosopo Tasyo
He becomes the comic yet tragic inspiration behind the failed student movement.
Isagani
The scene showing the brutal punishment of young Basilio and Crispin.
sacristy incident (accusation of theft)
This location becomes important as the meeting place of the student movement.
Panukulan residence / student boarding house
This gemstone symbolizes Simoun’s wealth, influence, and plan for revenge.
blue diamond/Collection of jewels
The cynical government official who deliberates on the school proposal.
on Custodio
She is the love interest of both Paulita Gomez and Isagani.
Juanito Peláez
The book’s final scene where this character flees wounded, with Basilio left behind.
Elias
Simoun reveals his true identity to this character before dying.
Padre Florentino
The revolutionary novel El Filibusterismo mainly centers around this theme.
Revenge and Corruption