Here's why:
* Themes of injustice and oppression: "Uncle Tom's Cabin" depicted the horrors of slavery in America. Rizal saw parallels between the suffering of African Americans under slavery and the plight of Filipinos under Spanish colonial rule. He wanted to expose the injustices faced by his people and awaken their sense of national identity.
* Influence of literature on social change: Stowe's novel had a significant impact on public opinion in America, contributing to the abolitionist movement. Rizal believed that literature could be a powerful tool for social change and hoped that Noli Me Tangere would have a similar effect in the Philippines.
* The power of storytelling: Rizal was inspired by Stowe's ability to use storytelling to convey complex social issues. He wanted to use the same approach to highlight the injustices faced by Filipinos.
While "Uncle Tom's Cabin" was a direct inspiration, other influences contributed to Rizal's writing:
* Real-life experiences: Rizal witnessed the harsh realities of Spanish colonialism in the Philippines firsthand.
* The works of European writers: Rizal was influenced by the works of writers like Victor Hugo, Alexandre Dumas, and Charles Dickens, who tackled themes of social inequality and injustice.
Therefore, "Uncle Tom's Cabin" served as a catalyst for Rizal's writing of Noli Me Tangere. The novel ignited his desire to shed light on the suffering of his people and to inspire a movement for social change.