Summary
The Social Cancer, the English translation of José Rizal’s groundbreaking novel Noli Me Tangere, is a powerful work of historical fiction and political critique that played a crucial role in the Philippine revolution against Spanish colonial rule.
Set in the Philippines during the late 19th century under Spanish colonialism, the novel follows Crisóstomo Ibarra, a young Filipino who returns from Europe to reform his homeland.
Shocked by the widespread injustice, corruption, and oppression perpetuated by the colonial government and the friars of the Catholic Church, Ibarra becomes entangled in a dangerous web of power, betrayal, and resistance.
As Ibarra’s dream of building a school is crushed by those in power, Rizal exposes the “social cancer” eating away at the Filipino people: abuse of authority, racial discrimination, religious hypocrisy, and a complicit colonial system.
Rich with symbolism and unforgettable characters—such as the tragic Maria Clara and the bitter Elias—the novel boldly criticizes the status quo while igniting a national awakening.
Written with intellectual force and emotional depth, The Social Cancer is more than a novel; it is a revolutionary call to justice, reform, and national identity.