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.

Don Quixote 3/21/10

Don Quixote character is the exact opposite of Yossarian's in Catch 22. While Quixote continuously humiliates himself and loses at whatever contests he choses to enter, Yossarian proves to be a subtle person. Yossarian is considered a hero by many soldiers in his unit for returning to bomb a heavily guarded bridge a second time and he is praised for refusing to fly any more missions. Quixote, however embarrasses himself but still considers himself a hero. Quixote believes he should enter in a "solemn tournament on the festival of St. George" for it may "raise his reputation above that of all the champions upon earth" (465). While the reader must show no respect towards Quixote and his ridiculous ideas, the reader must respect Yossarian for trying to save himself after proving himself to be a courageous figure. Yossarian never describes himself as a hero or a noble person for he wants simply to not fly any more missions. Quixote is claimed to be an idiot by many other characters but he still seems determined in his belief that he is a valiant knight. Quixote will never become a noble person or a courageous one because his personality prevents him from caring. He cares more about what others think of him than what he thinks of himself. Yossarian thinks only of himself and wants to survive the war. That is the only reason he does what he does and that is why the other pilots look up to him. They sympathize with him and so does the reader. No one can sympathize with Don Quixote though as no sane man would ever sell land for books or attack a windmill. His character is too comedic to be similar to any reader but Yossarian is apparently the only sane man in his story making him the only character similar to the reader. Yossarian is a noble and courageous person while Quixote is a selfish and insane annoyance. They are complete opposites.

Don Quixote 3/7/10

Miguel de Cervantes proved himself to be a great comedian and master of irony. He wrote the story at the time in order for the irony to be easily absorbed. First, he depicts Don Quixote as a poor man seeking adventure in order for him to gain recognition. He was given a poor farm and small piece of land to live on. The real irony however is that he continuously makes himself poorer because he likes to buy books about chivalry. Although now the idea does not seem that ridiculous, it was seen as ludicrous back in the 1600's. To sell one's land for books seemed like the most idiotic decision possible. Still, that is only the beginning. Don Quixote seeks to live out his life as a knight of chivalry, even when the use of knights is almost gone. Too add more comedy, Don Quixote (a very skinny and tall man) has a short and pudhy sidekick named Pancho. Don Quixote is simply insane. He later believes a group of people to be unjustly accused prisoners and tries to "free" them. Instead, he ends up harassing a group of people that were just out on a walk. Don Quixote is an insane man who is the essence of idiodicy.

2/28/10 Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes

Don Quixote has proved itself to be a classical comedy and drama. As a fan of classical novels, from Crime and Punishment to A Tale of Two Cities, I like stories that attack the norm of society or rational reasoning. Don Quixote is such a story that captures the essence of seeking the life of a hero or for adventure in the 1600's in Europe. People were still infatuated with the life of a knight while society was being turned on its side by the Renaissance. It is here, where Don Quixote gives up his life to be, in his mind, a wandering hero that fights the wicked and rescues the good. The only problem is that he has no sense of what he is doing. He is insane, bored, and obviously incapable of ever thinking with the least bit of rationale. He even believes a windmill is an evil and wicked creature so much that he "put his Rocinante to full speed, and assaulting the nearest windmill, thrust into one of the sails" (57). The comedy grows as he travels with his loyal squire, Sancho Panza, who seems to not do anything. What makes the story even more interesting is the speed at which it is told. While most books focus on a single event for at least 10 pages, DOn Quixote's battle with the windmill is over in one page. This surprise me especially since the book is almost 900 pages long. However, I am determined to read every page.

The War Mountains Continued

As I have stated before, John Mannock's story of the war in Yugoslavia is amazingly great. Its battle scenes are brought to life by the imagery and the careful dialogue. Also, as the story progresses a few important people are chosen as the main characters. However, Mannock carefully centers his plot so that it seems that the settings picked the main characters, and not the author himself. In his story which becomes centered about a specific mission to destroy a shipment of new elite German tanks, the characterrs experience danger, horrible conditions, and of course betrayal. There was evidence of betrayal all through out the story and the traitor finalely showed his true colors as he admits that he was going to be "'decorated in secret as a hero of the Third Reich'" and that he would be part of the regime that would "'rule Europe for the next thousand years'" (206). Obviously, this man is delusional or had terrible information. The story takes place in 1944, when Germany has been practically surrounded by its foes and is on the verge of collapse. Mannock cleverly puts this character in the position of having to be crazy as he believes he will live out a happy life in the Nazi regime even as it is tumbling. The character even risks his own safety to accomplish this. Finally, Mannock's description of feuding within the German ranks captivates the mind and humor as hilarious mockery is used of the German high command. Mannock is able to portray war as serious and greusome and then one minute later as a fun little game.

1/31/10 The War Mountains

John Mannock's fictional story about the war in Yugoslavia is tremendous. It is simply a great read with a great background and plot. During World War 2, there is a large conflict in Yugoslavia between the Nazis and the partisans. Despite it being 1944 and the war drawing to a close, the war continues and this area seems to have an unending conflict. With Hitler trying to figure out how to use his forces, he organizes a new division of the SS which takes recruita from the Middle East. He uses the grudges between the Muslims and Christians in Yugoslovia to gain support for his side. However, it is evident that the war is not going the way Hitler wanted it to and that the partisans and Nazis are roughly at a stalemate. This is where John Mannock proves himself to be a creative writer. Not only are all battle scenes vividly detailed, but shows the anger brewing on both sides. After one of the SS troops is killed, the partisan commander praises the killer. He claims that "'when [they] get an opportunity to kill them, [they] do so with considerable relish'" (92). Besides making up a fake unit and storyline, Mannock uses real characters such as Himmler, Hitler, and Tito. As he describes the new campaign the partisans are on, his twist and turns within the story keep the reader on his toes.