11/3 Don Quixote (#10a)

Narrator
In the Prologue of "Don Quixote," the narrator introduces himself as the stepfather of Don Quixote. He speaks highly of virtues such as chivalry, friendship, love, and intelligence and takes his knowledge from the Bible, ancient Greek and Roman literature, and medieval literature. The narrator judges the world on a high standard through these virtues and literature. He mentions his father-like feelings toward Don Quixote in that he wants to protect his son's image, however he is ashamed to be associated with Don Quixote's misplaced adventures. He refers to himself as a father with "an ugly don with no redeeming grace whatever, yet love will draw a veil over the parental eyes which then behold only cleverness and beauty in place of defects, and in speaking to his friends he will make those defects out to be the signs of comeliness and intellect" (2221). These feelings toward Don Quixote make the readers feel some pity for Don Quixote as he goes through trials on his way to "knighthood" and self discovery. The reader is allowed to go on this discovery with Don Quixote and evaluate their own beliefs on morality. He, similar to the narrator, uses as his foundation medieval texts on chivalry and heroes (2227). Nevertheless, the narrator makes it clear that Don Quixote is out of his mind, as he uses a cardboard helmet, makes up an exotic name for whatever maiden he finds to love, and uses an old suit of armor that are now outdated (2229). He appears even more crazy when he talks like he is actually a knight arriving at a castle, even though he was at an inn and the realm of knights had been over for at least a century.
Power of Reading
The material that Don Quixote reads effects every aspect of how he relates to others and what he decides to do. He read medieval and ancient literature on chivalry and moral living and discussed it with local scholars (2227). He then decided to "win a greater amount of honor for himself and serve his country at the same time, to become a knight-errant" (2228). Upon arriving at a village, he reacts to the innkeeper and wenches as if they are the chatalaine and ladies of the castle (2232). While most readers evaluate literature as it relates to their personal lives, most do not decide to leave reality and conform to an alternate reality.