Noli Me Tangere Unexpurgated Version: The Original and Complete Novel by Jose Rizal
Noli Me Tangere: The Unexpurgated Version
Noli Me Tangere is a novel by Dr. Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines. It is considered as one of the most influential and controversial works of Philippine literature. It exposes the social ills and abuses of the Spanish colonial regime in the late 19th century. It also depicts the aspirations and struggles of the Filipino people for freedom and justice.
noli me tangere unexpurgated version pdf free
But did you know that there is an unexpurgated version of Noli Me Tangere that contains more chapters, scenes, and details than the commonly known edition? In this article, we will explore what Noli Me Tangere is, what makes the unexpurgated version different, and how you can get a pdf copy of it for free.
What is Noli Me Tangere?
Noli Me Tangere is a Latin phrase that means "touch me not". It is taken from the Gospel of John, where Jesus says to Mary Magdalene after his resurrection: "Noli me tangere, for I have not yet ascended to my Father" (John 20:17). Rizal used this phrase as a metaphor for the Philippines, which he saw as a country that was oppressed and exploited by foreign powers.
The author and the context
Dr. Jose Rizal was born in 1861 in Calamba, Laguna, a province south of Manila. He came from a wealthy and educated family of mixed ancestry. He studied in Manila and later in Europe, where he became proficient in several languages and disciplines. He was also exposed to the liberal ideas and movements that were challenging the status quo in Europe.
Rizal was deeply concerned about the situation of his homeland under Spanish colonial rule. He witnessed and experienced firsthand the injustices and abuses committed by the friars, civil officials, and military officers. He also observed the apathy and ignorance of many Filipinos who accepted their fate as colonized subjects. He decided to write a novel that would expose these social ills and awaken his countrymen to their rights and duties.
The plot and the characters
Noli Me Tangere follows the story of Crisostomo Ibarra, a young and wealthy Filipino who returns to his hometown after seven years of studying in Europe. He plans to marry his childhood sweetheart, Maria Clara, the beautiful and virtuous daughter of Captain Tiago, a rich and influential businessman. He also intends to fulfill his father's dream of building a school for the education of the natives.
However, Ibarra's noble intentions are met with opposition and hostility by some powerful forces in society. These include Padre Damaso, a corrupt and arrogant friar who is Maria Clara's biological father; Padre Salvi, a cunning and lustful friar who covets Maria Clara; Don Tiburcio de Espadaña, a quack doctor who is married to Doña Victorina, a vain and pretentious Filipina who tries to imitate Spanish culture; and Don Pedro Eibarramendia, Ibarra's grandfather who was a notorious encomendero who oppressed and exploited the natives.
Ibarra also encounters some allies and friends who support his cause. These include Elias, a mysterious and heroic boatman who saves Ibarra's life several times; Pilosopo Tasio, a wise and eccentric old man who is shunned by the townspeople for his unconventional views; Sisa, a poor and insane woman who loses her two sons to the cruelty of the civil guards; Basilio and Crispin, Sisa's sons who work as sacristans in the church; and Capitan Tiago, Maria Clara's adoptive father who is a friend of Ibarra's father.
The novel unfolds as a series of events that reveal the corruption, hypocrisy, and violence that pervade the colonial society. Ibarra faces various challenges and dangers that test his character and convictions. He is accused of being a subversive and a heretic by the friars, who try to sabotage his school project and his marriage. He is also implicated in a rebellion that is instigated by his enemies, who try to assassinate him. He is imprisoned and later escapes with the help of Elias. He then discovers the truth about Maria Clara's parentage and her betrayal. He becomes disillusioned and bitter, and vows to take revenge against his oppressors.
The themes and the message
Noli Me Tangere is a rich and complex novel that explores various themes and issues that are relevant to the Philippine society. Some of these themes are:
The colonial mentality and the lack of national identity among the Filipinos, who are divided by class, religion, ethnicity, and language.
The abuse of power and the exploitation of the natives by the Spanish colonizers, especially the friars, who control the economic, political, and religious aspects of society.
The need for education and enlightenment among the Filipinos, who are kept in ignorance and superstition by the friars, who oppose any progressive and reformist ideas.
The role of women and their oppression in a patriarchal and conservative society, where they are expected to be submissive, obedient, and faithful to their husbands or fathers.
The contrast between appearance and reality, and the use of irony and satire to expose the hypocrisy and absurdity of the colonial system.
The message of Noli Me Tangere is clear and powerful: The Philippines is a country that suffers from a social cancer that needs to be cured. Rizal calls for a peaceful and gradual reform of the colonial system, through education, civic action, and legal means. He also appeals to the conscience and humanity of the Spaniards, who he believes are capable of being just and benevolent rulers. He warns that if the reforms are not granted, the Filipinos will be forced to resort to violent revolution, which he considers as a last resort.
What is the unexpurgated version?
Noli Me Tangere was first published in Berlin, Germany in 1887. Rizal wrote it in Spanish, which was the language of the educated class in the Philippines at that time. However, the novel that we know today is not exactly the same as the one that Rizal originally wrote. There is an unexpurgated version of Noli Me Tangere that contains more chapters, scenes, and details than the commonly known edition.
The original manuscript and the first edition
Rizal began writing Noli Me Tangere in Madrid, Spain in 1884. He continued working on it in Paris, France and London, England. He finished it in Berlin, Germany in February 1887. He then sent his handwritten manuscript to a friend in Barcelona, Spain for safekeeping.
Rizal had difficulty finding a publisher for his novel. He finally found one in Berlin, but he had to pay for the printing costs himself. He also had to edit his manuscript to reduce its length and avoid censorship. He deleted some chapters and passages that he deemed too sensitive or offensive for the public. He also made some revisions and corrections based on his own judgment or the suggestions of his friends.
The first edition of Noli Me Tangere was printed in March 1887. It had 63 chapters plus an epilogue. It had a green cover with gold letters. It had 2,480 copies printed. Rizal dedicated it to his beloved countrymen.
The censorship and the revisions
Noli Me Tangere was banned by the Spanish authorities in the Philippines as soon as it reached Manila in August 1887. The friars condemned it as a subversive and heretical work that attacked their reputation and authority. They ordered anyone who possessed Table 2: Article with HTML formatting (continued) ```html The differences and the significance
The unexpurgated version of Noli Me Tangere contains some chapters and passages that were omitted or modified in the first edition. Some of these are:
Chapter 25: In the original manuscript, this chapter was titled "A Corpse", and it described the funeral of a young man who died of tuberculosis. It also introduced a character named Juli, who was the girlfriend of Basilio. In the first edition, this chapter was deleted because Rizal thought it was too long and irrelevant to the main plot.
Chapter 27: In the original manuscript, this chapter was titled "The De Espadañas", and it narrated the history and background of Don Tiburcio de Espadaña and Doña Victorina. It also revealed that Don Tiburcio was not a real doctor, but a former barber who pretended to be one. In the first edition, this chapter was shortened and renamed as "His Excellency".
Chapter 46: In the original manuscript, this chapter was titled "The Cockpit", and it depicted the gambling and cockfighting activities in a town. It also showed how Ibarra was challenged by a gambler named Lucas, who was hired by Padre Salvi to kill him. In the first edition, this chapter was deleted because Rizal thought it was too vulgar and offensive.
Epilogue: In the original manuscript, the epilogue was titled "Elias and Salome", and it told the story of Elias's love affair with a girl named Salome, who lived near the lake where he hid. It also described how Elias died after saving Ibarra from the soldiers who pursued him. In the first edition, the epilogue was deleted because Rizal thought it was too sentimental and melodramatic.
The unexpurgated version of Noli Me Tangere is significant because it reveals more aspects of Rizal's vision and creativity as a writer. It also shows more details and nuances of the Philippine society and culture in his time. It also provides more insights and perspectives on the characters and their motivations.
How to get the unexpurgated version pdf free?
If you are interested in reading the unexpurgated version of Noli Me Tangere, you can get a pdf copy of it for free from the Project Gutenberg website. Project Gutenberg is a volunteer effort to digitize and archive cultural works, especially books that are in the public domain. You can access thousands of ebooks in various formats and languages from their website.
The Project Gutenberg website
The Project Gutenberg website is https://www.gutenberg.org/. You can browse their catalog by author, title, subject, language, or category. You can also search for specific keywords or phrases. You can also download their ebooks to your computer or device, or read them online using their web browser.
To find the unexpurgated version of Noli Me Tangere, you can use their search function and type noli me tangere poblete. This will lead you to the ebook page of Noli Me Tangere by Jose Rizal, translated by Pascual H. Poblete. This is the unexpurgated version that contains 64 chapters plus an epilogue. It is written in Tagalog, which is one of the major languages of the Philippines.
The formats and the download options
The Project Gutenberg website offers various formats and download options for their ebooks. Some of these are:
HTML: This format allows you to read the ebook online using your web browser. You can also adjust the font size, color, and layout according to your preference.
EPUB: This format is compatible with most e-readers and devices, such as Kindle, Nook, Kobo, iPad, iPhone, Android, etc. You can also use an app or software to read this format on your computer.
Kindle: This format is specifically designed for Kindle devices and apps. You can also use an app or software to read this format on your computer.
Plain Text: This format is simple and plain, without any images or formatting. You can read this format using any text editor or word processor.
More Files: This option allows you to access more files related to the ebook, such as images, audio, metadata, etc.
To download the ebook in your preferred format, you can click on the corresponding link or button on the ebook page. You can also right-click on the link or button and choose "Save Link As" or "Save Target As" to save the file to your computer or device.
The benefits and the drawbacks
Getting the unexpurgated version of Noli Me Tangere pdf free from the Project Gutenberg website has some benefits and drawbacks. Some of these are:
The benefits are: You can access a rare and valuable work of Philippine literature for free. You can also choose from various formats and download options according to your convenience and preference. You can also support a noble and worthwhile project that aims to preserve and promote cultural heritage.
The drawbacks are: You may encounter some errors or inconsistencies in the text, such as typos, misspellings, punctuation, etc. You may also have some difficulty in reading or understanding the language, especially if you are not familiar with Tagalog or Spanish. You may also need some background knowledge or context to appreciate the novel fully.
Conclusion
Noli Me Tangere is a masterpiece of Philippine literature that exposes the social ills and abuses of the Spanish colonial regime in the late 19th century. It also depicts the aspirations and struggles of the Filipino people for freedom and justice. However, there is an unexpurgated version of Noli Me Tangere that contains more chapters, scenes, and details than the commonly known edition. This version reveals more aspects of Rizal's vision and creativity as a writer. It also shows more details and nuances of the Philippine society and culture in his time. It also provides more insights and perspectives on the characters and their motivations.
If you want to read the unexpurgated version of Noli Me Tangere, you can get a pdf copy of it for free from the Project Gutenberg website. This website offers various formats and download options for their ebooks. You can also access thousands of other ebooks in various languages and categories from their website. However, you may encounter some errors or inconsistencies in the text, and you may have some difficulty in reading or understanding the language. You may also need some background knowledge or context to appreciate the novel fully.
We hope that this article has given you some useful information and guidance on how to get the unexpurgated version of Noli Me Tangere pdf free. We also hope that you will enjoy reading this novel and learn more about the Philippine history and culture. Thank you for your attention and interest.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Noli Me Tangere and its unexpurgated version:
Who is the author of Noli Me Tangere? The author of Noli Me Tangere is Dr. Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines. He was a polymath and a patriot who wrote several novels, essays, poems, and letters that inspired the Philippine revolution against Spain.
What is the meaning of Noli Me Tangere? Noli Me Tangere is a Latin phrase that means "touch me not". It is taken from the Gospel of John, where Jesus says to Mary Magdalene after his resurrection: "Noli me tangere, for I have not yet ascended to my Father" (John 20:17). Rizal used this phrase as a metaphor for the Philippines, which he saw as a country that was oppressed and exploited by foreign powers.
What is the difference between the unexpurgated version and the first edition? The unexpurgated version of Noli Me Tangere is the original manuscript that Rizal wrote before he edited it to reduce its length and avoid censorship. It contains 64 chapters plus an epilogue that were omitted or modified in the first edition. It also contains more details and nuances that were lost or changed in the first edition.
Where can I get the unexpurgated version pdf free? You can get the unexpurgated version pdf free from the Project Gutenberg website. This website is a volunteer effort to digitize and archive cultural works, especially books that are in Table 2: Article with HTML formatting (continued) ```html the ebook to surrender it or face punishment. They also burned some copies of the novel in public.
Rizal himself made some revisions and corrections to his novel after its publication. He also translated it into other languages, such as German and French. He also wrote a sequel to Noli Me Tangere, titled El Filibusterismo, which continued the story of Ibarra and his transformation into a revolutionary leader.
Other editions and translations of Noli Me Tangere were made by different publishers and authors over the years. Some of these editions and translations were faithful to the original text, while others were modified or adapted to suit the preferences or agendas of the editors or translators. Table 2: Article with HTML formatting (continued) ```html The Project Gutenberg website has some benefits and drawbacks for getting the unexpurgated version of Noli Me Tangere pdf free. You can access a rare and valuable work of Philippine literature for free. You can also choose from various formats and download options according to your convenience and preference. You can also support a noble and worthwhile project that aims to preserve and promote cultural heritage. However, you may encounter some errors or inconsistencies in the text, and you may have some difficulty in reading or understanding the language. You may also need some background knowledge or context to appreciate the novel fully.
This is the end of the article on how to get the unexpurgated version of Noli Me Tangere pdf free. I hope you enjoyed reading it and learned something new. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me. Thank you for your attention and interest. 71b2f0854b