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Writing A Critique and A Critical Approach Chosen Topic Critical Approach

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Ferjohn Ramos
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19 views

Writing A Critique and A Critical Approach Chosen Topic Critical Approach

Uploaded by

Ferjohn Ramos
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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FERJOHN MARK L.

RAMOS STEM11C
WRITING A CRITIQUE AND A CRITICAL APPROACH

CHOSEN TOPIC: Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere


CRITICAL APPROACH: Historical Criticism
CRITIQUE:

A Critique on Noli Me Tangere Most Filipinos will recognize the Latin phrase “ Noli
Me Tangere” as the title of Jose Rizal’s first novel, rather than as a biblical line from the
gospel of St. John. In English it is usually rendered as “Touch Me Not “. I asked myself why
Rizal wrote Noli Me Tangere, and I came up with the answer now. It is because Rizal
wanted the reader’s get acquainted with the social forces which opposes each other, thus
preventing the realization of Rizal’s aspiration for the Filipinos to regain their human rights,
especially human dignity, justice and freedom. The Noli Me Tangere can be regarded as a
historical novel, as it has mostly fictional characteristics and historical persons. Rizal’s
description of the lavish fiesta showed the comic antics at church and the ridiculous
expense for one day of festivities. Theme as an element of fiction is the idea that runs
through the whole novel, repeated again and again in various forms and way. The theme of
Noli Me Tangere comes from the Gospel of John. It is a similar theme to longing and
unfulfillment. There is no more tragic love and of course no greater love than the two beings
unable to reach each other, since such love eternally remains unblemished. It persistently
unmarks contemporary Spaniards in the Philippines of every kind. Rizal exposes corruption
and brutality of the civil guards which drive good men to crime and banditry. Rizal does not,
however, spare his fellow countrymen. The superstitious and hypocritical fanaticism of
many who consider themselves religious people, the ignorance, corruption, and brutality of
the Filipino civil guards, the passion for gambling enchecked by the thought of duty and
responsibility, the servility of the wealthy Filipino towards government officials, the ridiculous
efforts of Filipinos to dissociate themselves from their fellowmen or to lord it over them. All
of these are ridiculed and disclosed. For me, Dr. Jose Rizal nevertheless balances the
national portrait by highlighting the virtues and good qualities of his unspoiled countrymen.
The modesty and devotion of the Filipina, being hospitable of the Filipino family, the
devotion of parents to their children and children to their parents, the deep sense of
gratitude, and the solid common sense of untutored poor farmers. Noli Me Tangere expose
of corrupt friars who have made the catholic religion an instrument for enriching and
perpetuating themselves in power by seeking ignorant Filipinos. Instead of teaching
Filipinos true Catholicism, they control the government by opposing all progress and
persecuting members of the illustrado unless they make themselves their menial hero. Rizal
creates other memorable characteristics whose lives manifest the poisonous effects of
religious and colonial oppression. Capitan Tiago, the social climber Dona Victorina and her
Spanish husband, the guardia civil head and his wife, the sorority of devout women, the
disaffected peasants forced to become outlaws. Noli Me Tangere, Rizal paints a harrowing
picture of his beloved but suffering country in a work that speaks fluently not just to Filipinos
but to all who have endured or witnessed oppression. Rizal’s aspiration in writing the novel
is for the Filipinos to regain their human rights, especially human dignity, justice and
freedom.

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