First & Last Name
ENGL 1302
Professor Martin
26 April 2006
Issues: Don Quixote
Passage: However, just for the sport of it, he determined to humor him; and so he went on to assume Don Quixote that he was fully justified [Through] tribunals that are to be found in the whole of Spain. Citation is needed here
Question: How does the innkeeper’s help give Don Quixote a justification for his fantasy?
Issue: Issues of pattern. Through the first three chapters it is constantly reiterated that Don Quixote basis for his fantasy is the books he has read. This while a major foothold for his fantasy, still has to compete with reality and all the people that reinforce that viewpoint. All of the people that Don Quixote comes into contact with help to either stabilize his fantasy or tear it apart. Such is this as a pattern can be noticed that each character plays a vital role in Don Quixote’s character evolution.
Approach: New Criticism. Because of the characters effect upon Don Quixote’s character they must each be observed and considered for their contribution directly from their role in the text. For in such a case as fragile as Don Quixote’s every aspect of his change must be weighed in a meticulous fashion focusing on the text itself.
Answer: The innkeeper seems to be the most sympathetic to Don Quixote’s cause. He helps him by taking part in the legend that Don Quixote is trying to carve for himself. This help that the innkeeper provides is most beneficial to establishing the knight’s character, cementing it in. For if Don Quixote had a score of people constantly tearing him down and questioning his motives he would be more likely to turn back to reality. But thanks to the innkeeper’s humility toward Don Quixote’s cause he can find some validity in the outside world that reinforces his own view.