Noli Me Tangere · Chapter
Il Buon Dí Si Conosce Da Mattina explained
The chapter opens with rumors spreading about lights and sounds in the cemetery, leading to superstitious fervor and the curate preaching about purgatory to extract money for masses.
What happens
The chapter opens with rumors spreading about lights and sounds in the cemetery, leading to superstitious fervor and the curate preaching about purgatory to extract money for masses. Don Filipo visits the ailing Old Tasio, who discusses the state of the Philippines, contrasting the old scholastic education with the new progressive ideas brought by European influence and youth returning from abroad. Tasio argues that progress cannot be stifled and that the country is entering a period of strife between the past and the future. He advises Don Filipo that Ibarra should visit him before he dies.
Themes in this chapter
Education and Enlightenment as Liberation
Old Tasio contrasts the old scholasticism with the new sciences and languages studied by the youth, seeing enlightenment as the path to progress.
Tradition vs. Progress
The entire conversation between Don Filipo and Tasio centers on the struggle between the past (feudal, religious) and the future (progressive, scientific).
Religious Hypocrisy and Clerical Corruption
The curate exploits the superstitious rumors about the cemetery to preach on purgatory and extract money for masses, highlighting clerical manipulation.
Characters to notice
- Old Tasio
The Sage, sick and bedridden, delivers a passionate discourse on progress and the changing times in the Philippines.
- Don Filipo Lino
Visits Old Tasio to discuss his resignation and the state of the town, receiving advice about the coming strife.
- Crisóstomo Ibarra
Mentioned by Old Tasio as someone who must visit him for important matters; also noted as bowing to crowd beliefs.
- Sister Rufa
Claims to have dreamed of souls in torment, asking for alms to succor the Pope.
- Sister Sipa
Claims to have heard cries and groans from the cemetery, declaring she recognizes voices.
Key passages
“There are three ways in which one may accompany the course of progress: in front of, beside, or behind it. The first guide it, the second suffer themselves to be carried along with it, and the last are dragged after it—and to these last the Jesuits belong.”
Old Tasio explains that progress can be led, followed willingly, or reluctantly dragged along, placing the Jesuits in the last category.
This illustrates Tasio's nuanced view of the Jesuits as reactionary in Europe but progressive in the Philippine context.
“This strife is between the past, which seizes and strives with curses to cling to the tottering feudal castle, and the future, whose song of triumph may be heard from afar amid the splendors of the coming dawn, bringing the message of Good-News from other lands.”
Tasio describes the conflict as one between a decaying feudal past and a hopeful future inspired by foreign ideas.
This metaphor captures the central tension of the novel between colonial tradition and emerging modernity.
“Our youths think only of love affairs and dissipations; they expend more time and work harder to deceive and dishonor a maiden than in thinking about the welfare of their country; our women, in order to care for the house and family of God, neglect their own: our men are active only in vice and heroic only in shame.”
Tasio laments the moral decay of society, where youth prioritize personal pleasures over patriotism, women neglect their homes for the church, and men excel only in vice.
This critique reflects Tasio's despair about the current state of the Philippines, contrasting with his earlier optimism about progress.