1. The novel describes vividly life in the town of San Diego and its social and political hierarchy. If we see San Diego as a microcosm of Philippine society, what kind of portrait emerges, overall, of life under the Spanish colonial system?

2. Crisostomo Ibarra believed in the transformative power of education and was determined on building a new school in the town of San Diego. In contrast, what was the conventional view of education in San Diego? Who was against such innovation and why?

3. Tasio, the town sage, is pleased by Ibarra’s plan for a school but immediately cautions the young man, “The first advice I will give you is to never come to me for advice again.” What makes the old man say this? What is his reputation in San Diego and what perspective does he add to the novel?

4. Noli Me Tángere depicts the clerical abuses under Spanish colonial rule as personified in friars Padre Damaso and Padre Salvi. Did you find these characters to be one dimensional or sufficiently developed? In what ways did Rizal try to humanize them?

5. Capitan Tiago and Doña Victorina de de Espadaña identify completely with the colonial mind-set. In portraying the two, Rizal pokes fun at their pretensions. What pretensions are these and how are they lampooned? Is Rizal gentler with one than the other?

6. Crisostomo Ibarra and the mysterious and powerful Elias were quite similar in their commitment to improving things in their country, they had very contrasting approaches to addressing the social ills that surround them. In what ways were their attempts at reform different, and where do you think these differences stem?

7. Sisa – the mother of the two child sextons – goes mad due to her harsh treatment by the Guardia Civil, the death of one son, and the disappearance of another. Critics have said that she is symbolic of the oppressed mother country. Do you agree with this notion?

8. Discuss the ending of each of the novel’s characters. Do you believe they deserved the ending they got? Or got the ending they deserved?
• Cristosmo Ibarra
• Elias
• Maria Clara
• Padre Damaso

9. An English translation of the novel has the title “The Social Cancer”. What do you think this is an allusion to?