Books & Literature

There is a great deal of looking at the mirror here. Many of the elements from the past remain the same today, including the terrible injustice the poor suffer, and the impossibly uphill battle good people face to fight for what is right. Chapter 16: Sisa Earlier in the day, Sisa, Basilio and Crispin’s mother, took pains to gather food, even begging Tasio for some … [Read more...] about Noli Me Tangere Chapter Summaries 16-20

There are a few good bits of side-splitting hilarity here and a delicious dab of sarcasm, but all this mirth can’t soften the blow of the 15th chapter, and later, the 17th. I must say, none of saddest pieces of classic literature I’ve read from Wharton to Dostoevsky has grieved me as much as these two chapters, because… well… Crispin. :’(   Chapter 11: … [Read more...] about Noli Me Tangere Chapter Summaries 11-15

If they had their own version of a throwback Thursday in the late 19th century, these chapters would certainly qualify for the characters of the Noli. More origin stories for people, places and relationships unravel, with just a touch of foreboding to spice things up.       Chapter 6: Capitan Tiago Aside from already being a wealthy … [Read more...] about Noli Me Tangere Chapter Summaries 6-10

The Noli begins and unfolds expeditiously. The first five chapters already present most of its main characters and hints at overarching conflicts and motives. Chapter 1: A Social Gathering Wealthy Binondo resident, Don Santiago de los Santos (Capitan Tiago), throws a last minute dinner party. Among the many guests are the Dominican curate of Binondo, Fray Sibyla; … [Read more...] about Noli Me Tangere Chapter Summaries 1-5

It isn’t an exaggeration to say that no other work of literature is as well known in the Philippines as Noli Me Tangere. If you’ve ever spent some years in a Filipino school, even at the elementary level, you would have heard of the book and its author, the country’s most famous son, Jose Rizal. Jump directly to the index here. Discovering the Noli It is only … [Read more...] about Noli Me Tangere Index of Chapter Summaries