# An Examination of Conscience explained — Noli Me Tangere

> Chapter companion for Noli Me Tangere by José Rizal.

## What happens

María Clara remains ill and is pressured by Padre Salví to confess and receive communion, despite her recent confession. Aunt Isabel guides her through an examination of conscience using a devotional book, while María Clara weeps and murmurs to Sinang to tell Ibarra not to think of her anymore. Padre Salví insists the confession will cure her, and after a long and intense confession, he leaves looking disturbed.

## Themes in this chapter

### Religious Hypocrisy and Clerical Corruption

Padre Salví's insistence on confession for María Clara, his disturbed demeanor afterward, and Aunt Isabel's superstitious candle-lighting highlight the manipulative and hypocritical use of religious authority.

### Love and Sacrifice

María Clara's whispered request to Sinang to tell Ibarra not to think of her shows her self-sacrificing love, as she prepares to renounce him.

### Family, Honor, and Ancestral Legacy

Capitan Tiago's concern for his daughter's health and his vows to the Virgin reflect the importance of family honor and religious devotion in maintaining social standing.

## Character check-ins

### María Clara

Ill and bedridden, she is urged to confess again and weeps during the examination of conscience; she asks Sinang to tell Ibarra not to think of her.

### Aunt Isabel

Reads the examination of conscience to María Clara, interpreting her tears as repentance, and later observes the confession with unease.

### Padre Salví

Insists on María Clara's confession and communion, claiming it will aid her recovery; after the long confession he leaves pale and disturbed.

### Sinang

Visits María Clara, gives her medicine, and receives the whispered message for Ibarra.

### Capitan Tiago

Agrees to Padre Salví's plans and vows a gold cane to the Virgin of Antipolo for his daughter's recovery.

### Doña Victorina

Discusses María Clara's illness and boasts about her husband's medical skills, while insulting the alferez's wife.

## Key lines

> Prepare your niece for confession tonight. Tomorrow I’ll bring over the viaticum. With that she’ll improve faster.

Padre Salví instructs Aunt Isabel to prepare María Clara for confession that evening, promising that receiving the viaticum the next day will speed her recovery.

_Padre Salví uses religious rites as a supposed cure, reflecting his control over the household._

> Write to him not to think of me any more.

María Clara whispers to Sinang to tell Ibarra to forget her.

_María Clara's request signals her resignation and sacrifice for Ibarra's safety._

> Weep, daughter, weep! ... The more you weep the sooner God will pardon you.

Aunt Isabel encourages María Clara to cry, believing tears hasten divine forgiveness.

_Aunt Isabel's comfort reveals a superficial understanding of repentance._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/noli_me_tangere_se/chapters/xliv-an-examination-of-conscience
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- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/noli_me_tangere_se/chapters