The Lesson of Don Quixote -- Mimetic Theory and Literary Study

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Date Posted: 17:30:44 01/21/08 Mon
Author: Janelle
Subject: The Lesson of Don Quixote

Having now read the final chapters of Don Quixote, I find it especially strange that some individuals continue to contend that the lesson of Don Quixote is that of individualism. Not only is it obvious throughout that Don Quixote has been a man whose every decision has been based on imitation and conventions of chivalry, but it is made clear in the end that this imitation was harmful. It wasn't innately harmful, but, as Don Quixote, or, if you will, Alonso Quixano, says, it was harmful because he chose the wrong models and only realized it too late.
"Now I can recognize their absurdity and their deceitfulness, and my only regret is that this discovery has come so late that it leaves me no time to make amends by reading other books that might be a light for my soul."(p 976-977)
Whether this is his main message or not I don't know, but Cervantes definitely advises us to, as Dr. Jackson mentioned in class today, beware of the models we choose.

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