Don Quixote (Day Three)

As we did for Tuesday's class, please bring in your own analysis of two episodes which you find reflect either (1) themes we have already discussed in class or (2) new themes that you deem important / revolutionary.

Chapter XX:
In this chapter I believe there is an important theme about tradition. Sancho tells a story, and he says each line twice. Don Quixote implore him to only tell things once, but Sancho tells him it is tradition in his homeland, and it must be told this way. So Don Quixote allows Sancho to continue on with the story. Sancho tells Don Quixote to keep track of the goats in the story. At a certain point Sancho asks Don Quixote how many goats, and he cannot tell him, therefore Sancho does not continue on with the story. I feel that Don Quixote allowing Sancho to tell the rest of the story shows he has respect for him. I think it also shows that Sancho has a sense of belonging with his homeland, sharing this story. When I first read this, I felt it was a foreshadowing for another story from Sancho.


Chapter XXI:
In this chapter Don Quixote mistakes a barber for a knight. In reality this man is just a man, riding a mule, wearing a basin. Don Quixote sees a horse instead of a donkey, a helmet instead of a basin, and a knight instead of a barber. This shows how knighthood is still effecting him on his adventures. Don Quixote believes in something that is not really there which reinforces this whole truth vs. reality idea.