The School Symbol in Noli Me Tangere

Ibarra’s effort to build a school in the town of San Diego is the most tangible manifestation of his political views. The school is a symbol of empowerment, since education is a way to avoid succumbing to the country’s domineering friarocracy. Children like Crispín and Basilio are perfect examples of Filipinos who stand to benefit from a secular education, since their hardship is the direct result of having committed themselves to becoming sextons. If they had been offered the opportunity to attend school instead, they wouldn’t find themselves mired in the harmful lies and accusations of the church. The presence of Ibarra’s school in Noli Me Tangere also reveals the many tensions between church and state in the Philippines, considering that people like Father Dámaso and Father Salví actively interfere with the schoolmaster’s educational pursuits, while the Captain General—the most important government official on the island—adamantly supports Ibarra’s vision. And although Ibarra himself originally gains permission from the priests before building his institution, it is telling that he’s nearly murdered during the school’s benediction ceremony; this clearly illustrates that secular education poses a threat to the corrupt priests, a threat so large they feel they must murder somebody who has—for all intents and purposes—paid them the proper respect. As such, the school becomes a menace to the friars, despite the fact that it is an institution dedicated to helping and improving San Diego.

The School Symbol Timeline in Noli Me Tangere

The timeline below shows where the symbol The School appears in Noli Me Tangere. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Colonialism, Religion, and Power Theme Icon

Ibarra receives a telegram during the party that says his plan to build a school has been approved. A sergeant then emerges and demands that the group of dinner guests... (full context)

...his plans to reform San Diego, telling Tasio that he intends to build a new school and asking for his advice, since Tasio always helped Ibarra’s father navigate tricky situations. First,... (full context)

...in the borrowed clothes of error?” Still, Tasio insists that Ibarra’s plans to build a school will only be met with scorn unless he gains the approval of the church and... (full context)

...before the fiesta, the town prepares itself. One of the more notable preparations involves the school, which is under construction and shaping up to be a magnificent building. The architect oversees... (full context)

...fiesta, Captain Tiago also gears up for celebration. He speaks with Ibarra—his future son-in-law—about the school’s name, urging the young man to call it the Saint Francis School instead of the... (full context)

After the church service ends, everybody makes their way to the school because Father Salví is set to deliver a ceremony to bless the structure. The yellow... (full context)

After Father Salví blesses the school, the revered Captain General says a few words before the town’s most influential members descend... (full context)

...said mysterious things, statements that rose Elías’s suspicions, especially because this man previously visited the school’s architect and asked to oversee the setting of the large stone, asking for very little... (full context)

...build four walls and put a thatched roof on top, and then you have a school!” Ibarra tries to ignore this, and Dámaso’s subsequent rant turns more pointedly insulting. “You know... (full context)

...is impressed and pleased by Ibarra’s work to improve the town by selflessly building a school. He assures Ibarra that the “unpleasantness” with Father Dámaso will cease to be a problem,... (full context)

...he tells Salví that he is the brother of the man who died in the school trenches during the town’s fiesta. Father Salví takes one step back, saying, “And?” before Lucas... (full context)

...on his lover’s face. He wanders into the street and winds his way to the school, where construction continues to thrive at a good pace. There, among the workers, he spots... (full context)

...means. “I want good for [my country],” he says, “which is why I built a school. I seek it in education, for forward progress. Without light, there is no path.” Elías... (full context)

Noli Me Tangere

José Rizal

The School Symbol Analysis

The School Symbol Timeline in Noli Me Tangere