Don Quixote 4/18/10

Don Quixote ends as it began. As an astonishingly dramatic and comedic story that seems to enthrall the reader right to the last sentence. By having Don Quixote die, Miguel de Cervantes has chosen to end the story on a note of finality. Instead of leaving the end open for more grim adventures, Cervantes scares the reader by having Quixote die in his home town. The very town from which he had began his perilous journey to spread, enforce, and practice chivalry is the same town his life ends in. Ironically, Quixote does not seem beaten or defeated but rather simply at peace. The character is so ironic and mystifyng that the author uses his book to clarify that it is untrue. Cervantes claimed that "for [him] alone was Don Quixote born, and [he] produced him" (891). He then goes on describing the true nature of Don Quixote and his inspirations which seem to be the people who would never let go of their teachings of chivalry. Quxote is meant to resemble a whole group of people; those who live in the past. Instead of moving forward with culture and society, this group decided to keep to their old practices and ways. However, Quixote exagerates the stupidity of ths group as he ends up fighting random people, attacking windmills, and harassing innocent people. While Quixote believes he is helping to save the world, he is only causing despair. This is what Cervantes was saying about the people who were practically addicted to chivalry. Finally, with the death of Quixote, Cervantes concludes that the old group died or withered into history. Don Quixote has always been Cervantes's way of adressing those who wished to live in the past.

4/1/10 Genre Plans

Through out my independent reading this school year, I have encompassed a variety of genres. I have read non-fiction, fiction, historical-fiction, comedy, and classic books. I read The World is Flat which may have had multiple opinions in it but contained facts and stories about things that actually happened. For fiction, Catch22 and Hocus Pocus were books that included made up stories. I believe that Don Quixote counts as historical fiction as although it is a made up character, it is based on characteristics of people at the time. For comedy, Hocus Pocus, is clearly a comedic book as most of it is based on jokes and an ironic plot meant to make the reader laugh. Finally, Don Quixote classifies as a classic book/novel as it has been around for a long time and has been seen and read as a great work of literature. For the 4th quarter, I would like to read a mystery and possibly a horror book. Those are two genres I have yet to read. For this quarter, Don Quixote has been my favorite read. It is such a thrilling comedy and ironic storyline that it captured my imagination quickly.