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Noli Me Tangere: Summary and Analysis of Chapter 24 (In the Wood)

Summary:
Friar Salvi goes through the mass hurriedly in order to join in the picnic, as Ibarra had invited him.  When he arrives he secretly follows the ladies around as they look for a certain bird's nest.  He then proceeds to the picnic area where the fun is.  In the middle of all the colorful amusement, the civil guards arrive in search of Elias.  Although they are unable to capture the man, the commotion they brought with them ends the picnic prematurely.                  

Points of Note:
Rizal's knowledge and interest in botany and zoology are evident in this chapter.

Almost all the highly respected and "honorable" people of San Diego are invited in the picnic, including the alferez and coadjutor.

Elias is not from the town of San Diego.  He only arrived a few days before.

Frequently Asked Questions:
Question: Why is the cook under the impression that Friar Salvi was ill?
Answer: He is apparently not in the mood to eat.

Question: What do the other ladies mean when they advise Maria Clara to "be careful, because jealousy can make one thin and can create dark circles around the eyes"?
Answer: They obviously feel that Friar Salvi is secretly attracted to Maria Clara, and is jealous of Ibarra.

Question: What can be said about the character of the civil guards as they were created by Rizal?
Answer: Almost all of them are dimwitted and foolish.  Only the heartless and mindless men ever became civil guards.