Noli Me Tangere by Jose Rizal - Book Report/Review Example

Through the novel, Rizal hoped to show the world how the Spaniards cloaked oppression in the guise of Catholicism. He wanted the Filipino people to open their eyes to what was really happening during those times. Rizal, through the character of Crisostomo Ibarra, expressed his rage against the Spaniards when he stated, “I will call out these ignorant people, I will make them see their misery. I will teach them to think not of brotherhood but only that they are wolves for devouring. I will urge them to rise against this oppression and proclaim the eternal right of man to win his freedom!

” (476). Not only did Rizal exposed the grievances of the Filipinos against the Spaniards, but he also unmasked the weaknesses and faults of the Filipinos; thus, allowing themselves to be victims of the ruthless Spanish rule at that time. Through the novel, Rizal was able to show to the world the resistance that the Filipinos felt against the Spanish rule. Some historians attribute the uprising of the Filipinos against the Spaniard to the novel by Rizal. They believe that “Noli Me Tangere” is the spark that ignited the revolution against the Spaniards.

There is much value in preserving history. As the old saying goes, “History repeats itself” and often history teaches its people lessons which they can apply in the future. In the case of the Philippines, the injustices suffered by the Filipinos under the Spaniards may not be experienced again by the Filipinos but they may go through similar experiences in the future.It is essential to remember the past but not to delve on the mistakes committed; but rather to learn from the lessons of the past.

Forgetting the country’s past would also mean forgetting the people who fought for freedom, forgetting the heroic deeds and sacrifices of individuals who have contributed to what the country has become now. Rizal through Elias, a rebel character in his novel, emphasized the importance of the youth’s learning of his past and not forgetting it, when he stated, "I die without seeing the dawn brighten over my native land. You who have it to see, welcome it--and forget not those who have fallen during the night!

” (492). Moreover, if the youth of today do not know their motherland’s history, then their sense of identity will also be lost. They will not have an idea of who their ancestors are and how they lived and survived in the past.  They will not be able to acquire the wisdom that can be learned from the past.  Rizal called on the youth in his novel saying, “Where are the youth who will consecrate their budding years, their idealism and enthusiasm to the welfare of their country?

Where are the youth who will generously pour out their blood to wash away so much shame, so much crime, so much abomination.. . Where are you, youth, who will embody in yourselves the vigor of life . . . the purity of ideas that has been contaminated [sic!] in our hearts? We await you, O youth! Come, for we await you!" (448). How can the youth possibly respond to Rizal’s calling if they know nothing of their past?  The Philippine government in response to Rizal’s plea to the youth in his novel therefore requires all schools to include in the curricula of high school students the study of the “Noli Me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo”, which are both works of Rizal.