Don Quixote Part I Spoilers

[Katy, Quarterly Long Reads]

This thread is for discussion of the content of our 3rd Qtr 2015 Long group read,
Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

Feel free to post spoilers for Part I in this thread.

[Katy, Quarterly Long Reads]

The famous windmills

[Katy, Quarterly Long Reads]

Pastures and sheep in La Mancha.

[Katy, Quarterly Long Reads]

One of my favorite renditions of Don Quixote in art:


Pablo Picasso, 1955

[Cosmic]

This is a good site:

http://www.bookdrum.com/books/don-qui...

[Cosmic]

Here is another link to a blog about the book

http://amadisofgaul.blogspot.com/2009...

[Katy, Quarterly Long Reads]

Hey, thanks Cosmic! Nice sites.

[Cosmic]

Here is another :
http://oyc.yale.edu/spanish-and-portu...

[Cosmic]

His horse

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocin...

multivalent
[ ˌməltiˈvālənt, ˌməltī- ]
ADJECTIVE
having or susceptible to many applications, interpretations, meanings, or values:
"visually complex and multivalent work"

[Cosmic]

Mule Drivers

I was wondering if i might be missing some of the inferences here so i looked it up.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mule_...

"The range and method of operation of the mule owners made the profession of mule driver one of the most important ones for all land commerce of the time."

Of course this is a different time and place than our story and yet not too much had changed for these people, so i think thie article is relevant. (view spoiler)[

First we have a land owner beating a servant who argues about wages owed him. Now we have the mule workers beating Don Quixote (hide spoiler)]

[Cosmic]

Chapter 5:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nine_...
The Nine Worthies include three good pagans: Hector, Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar, three good Jews: Joshua, David and Judas Maccabeus, and three good Christians: King Arthur, Charlemagne and Godfrey of Bouillon.

[Cosmic]

I wonder if anyone took a look at the Yale course?

Here was some interesting insight into three title of the book. It is in the introduction:
Now, our little philological excursion about the title of the book already reveals a number of things about the Quixote and about Spain. You may wonder, Arabic? What do the Arabs have to do with Spain? Well, the Arabs occupied Spain for eight centuries, from 711 — these are good dates to remember — to 1492, when Granada fell, and that was last bastion of Arab power in Spain, and it was taken by the Catholic Kings Ferdinand and Isabella. But the Arabs left an indelible mark upon Spanish history and Spanish language. It was not an occupation in the sense that we envision occupations in the modern period. Historians speak of a convivencia, that is, a living together of these Christian and Muslim cultures which involved fighting with each other, but fighting amongst the Christians, and the Muslims allied with Christians together with Muslims, and so forth. But they were there for eight centuries, and one could say that the Arabic component in the broader sense is the main difference between Spain and the rest of Europe. The title of the book already alludes to that difference because of that 'x,' but you will see it in many other ways as you read.

[Denisse]

Cosmic wrote: "I wonder if anyone took a look at the Yale course?

Here was some interesting insight into three title of the book. It is in the introduction:
Now, our little philological excursion about the titl..."

Spoilers of Chapter 9

(view spoiler)[
In Chapter 9, Cervantes says he found the conclusion of the battle of Don Quixote against the bizcaian, in some pages written by an Arabic historian. He says the story is rather dull and short, not doing Quixote any justice, and that Arabs are known to be liars and natural enemies to them, so I guess there he shows some hate against them.
(hide spoiler)]

[Denisse]

Spoilers of Chapter 6

(view spoiler)[
Here a priest and a barber are burning some of the books of Don Quixote's library, because they are to blame of the craziness of Don Quixote.

It was rather interesting to read how they chose to save some of the books from the fire. I guess there Cervantes expressed his opinion of those books, meaning that those who got to be saved are worthwhile checking out.

In Don Quixote's library there is also another book of Cervantes, called La Galatea. The verdict was that the book was going to be kept away (not burned but also not saved from damnation) and that they needed to wait for the second part to see if the book deserved some mercy.

The sequel was never published, and presumably never written.

I am reading the book in Spanish, and I don't know if the translation in English also translates the titles of other books. I am meaning to write all the books Don Quixote mentions, to have the list of books that were in Don Quixote's library before it was burned.
(hide spoiler)]

[Denisse]

Cosmic wrote: "I wonder if anyone took a look at the Yale course?

Here was some interesting insight into three title of the book. It is in the introduction:
Now, our little philological excursion about the titl..."

Thank you for mentioning the Yale Course
http://oyc.yale.edu/spanish-and-portu...

I didn't know of its existence, and I will be checking it out while I read the book. Whatever motivates me to finish this book, is welcomed. I've been meaning to read this book since high school. And although is really good, I always lag behind and read other, easier, books instead.

I guess you should post this link in the No Spoilers thread, so that everyone can check it out ;)

[Cosmic]

Denisse wrote: "Spoilers of Chapter 6


Here a priest and a barber are burning some of the books of Don Quixote's library, because they are to blame of the craziness of Don Quixote.

It was rather interesting to ..."

Might want to check this out. There are links to some of the books mentioned:
http://www.bookdrum.com/books/don-qui...

[Katy, Quarterly Long Reads]

Denisse and Cosmic
Thanks for all -- The links and your thoughts have been nice additions to my reading.

[Katy, Quarterly Long Reads]

The first few chapters are rather humorous in a sad way really. We laugh at people being beat up -- slapstick humor.

[Xan]

I enjoyed the book burning chapter. The priest, a learned man, has read them all, the barber isn't too shabby either, and Cervantes manages a little self-reference. And then there is Quixote's niece who says that what would be worse than her uncle thinking he is a knight is his thinking he is a shepherd, and what would be worse than that -- maybe the worst of all -- is his thinking he is a poet. Again, Cervantes may be mocking himself.

Cervantes fought for Spain and spent many years enslaved after being captured, and I wonder if he isn't mocking his own life in Don Quixote. Perhaps he regrets a life too filled with notions of chivalry and honor.

[Duane]

During this first part it's hard to take Don Quixote, the character, seriously. He is just a caricature of what a real knight would be. He has been beaten rather severely, but frankly he brought it on himself. I think that's why I found it so amusing. The most interesting thing for me so far is his relationship with his lady in waiting who may not even be aware of his existence. I look forward to seeing this imaginary world he has created come to life.

[Katy, Quarterly Long Reads]

Xan Shadowflutter wrote: "I enjoyed the book burning chapter. The priest, a learned man, has read them all, the barber isn't too shabby either, and Cervantes manages a little self-reference. And then there is Quixote's nie..."

Yes, that is a great scene!

[Katy, Quarterly Long Reads]

Duane wrote: "During this first part it's hard to take Don Quixote, the character, seriously. He is just a caricature of what a real knight would be. He has been beaten rather severely, but frankly he brought it..."

Oh I agree -- and Quixote takes himself so seriously that makes it that much more amusing.

[Denisse]

I wonder if Don Quixote ever goes to Dulcinea and talks and acts like they are both in love? What would she think?

What amuses me even more is that no one talks straight to Don Quixote and try to shake it off of his craziness. Even his family pretended his books were stolen by some wizard; which instead of helping makes the problem even worse. They just humour him.

[Myst]

According to my kindle, I was at 35%. I apparently had just finished whatever section that drove me bonkers.

And I need to remember to *not* try to do the 'skip to the next chapter' button (to see how much longer I've got in any particular chapter), as my copy sends me straight to section 2 at 50% through. Now I get to page back to 35% manually >.<

Ok I appear to be at chapter XXXV.

[Katy, Quarterly Long Reads]

LOL Myst -- the wonders of technology sometimes. Gotta love it.

[Katy, Quarterly Long Reads]

What? The only thing I know about Don Quixote is that he fights windmills. And it just happened.

[Denisse]

I know, it's the most famous part and it happens too soon... and also, it is so short! There are longer parts in the book that are not that famous.

[Katy, Quarterly Long Reads]

I was just not ready for that -- just like you said, Denisse -- too soon, too short.

[Cosmic]

I was surprised as well.
But I think it was such a shock that people remember it...besides maybe a lot of people didn't finish the book and this is what stood out in their minds.

I am on part four. I have loved all the humor/irony.
I have been surprised by the serious tragedies that have been thrown in. For a classic this one has been fun!

[Laurie]

I think Cosmic may be right that all people remember is the windmills if they quit reading early on. I was shocked that one of the few things I knew about DQ was right at the beginning and so short.

[Friso]

I'm just back from a week in Poland and I took DQ with me as a read, which turned out as a bad idea, as it's not ideal for picking up and doing some light reading. However, having read the first two parts, I find it quite humourous.

Today I noticed, with the travelers and the shepherds at the funeral, that everyone indeed never does say to DQ that he's crazy, aside from Sancho, who points out the illusions of his master, although without any success so far.
It seems to be a constant joke from the author to let DQ go rampant in his knight-errantry, although I sometimes find it hard to tell whether that's truly the case or also a bit of the age the story plays in, where fools might've been allowed to do their own thing as long as they didn't cause harm (which isn't totally the case here..)

[Katy, Quarterly Long Reads]

DQ is not light reading mentally or physically.

[Denisse]

My favorite part so far was when Sancho Panza drank the balm of Fierabras. I laughed out loud at that part, it was so funny how Sancho Panza suffered so much and thought he was going to die.

Those are the parts who keep me going. Other people's suffering have always been a matter of laugh, not only from our age (like when someone falls to floor).

Or maybe I have a dark and twisted humour... We mexicans laugh at things that maybe we shouldn't laugh at.

[Katy, Quarterly Long Reads]

I think we all laugh at life when it doesn't go quite right -- it is a connection to others as my life never goes quite right. But definitely not as crazy as DQ

[Laurie]

I am on chapter 35 so I just finished the reading of the novel, The Man Who Was Recklessly Curious. I found this extra story irritating and my translation noted that Cervantes was criticized for including it. It doesn't have anything to do with the DQ storyline, so it seems like a useless addition. I wonder why Cervantes included it.

[Myst]

Laurie, was 'The Man Who was Recklessly Curious' something about a woman with 2 suitors and a knife?

It's been 2-3 years since I tried to read DQ I think so I don't entirely remember what part drove me nuts, but it was DQ riding through the woods, coming upon a cottage, declaring it a hotel and the owners trying to kick him out, then the girl with 2 suitors and a knife storyline?

Or am I mixing up stories?

[Laurie]

It is the the story of two friends. One marries a faithful woman, but he wants his friend to test her faithfulness to prove that she will be faithful to her husband while being tempted.
The story of the girl with 2 suitors and a knife is part of the DQ story. He meets the people involved at an inn.

[Cosmic]

Laurie wrote: "I am on chapter 35 so I just finished the reading of the novel, The Man Who Was Recklessly Curious. I found this extra story irritating and my translation noted that Cervantes was criticized for in..."

I believe that one of the reasons that Don Quixote is a classic is that it has every genre of writing style in this one book.

I am sixty percent through the book and there are a lot of stories within a story.

[Cosmic]

Kathy wrote: "DQ is not light reading mentally or physically."

Well yes and no. I think it is interesting that a lot of children in span first learned about this book as a bedtime story. I can see it being like Pinocchio.

[[deleted user]]

Hi all, I'm new to this group and this is my first read

I am actually surprised by how easy I am finding the book to read. I am reading on kindle and my translation seems to flow very well. I may not be picking up all of the detail but I'm enjoying the story

My question is (view spoiler)[ Will we find out anymore about how DQ ended up turning into this mad knight. I find it a bit puzzling and can't quite except his behavior is just through reading his books like his friends and family think. Or maybe he is just 'mad' and I find it a bit difficult to comprehend because of the time the book is written in. It's definitely a spoof in style in parts (hide spoiler)]

I also want to add that I loved the windmill bit and feel very sorry for poor Rocinante

[Pink]

Hi Heather, I'm glad you've decided to join us for Don Quixote and that it's going well so far. I can't answer your question yet, as I don't know. I need to pick this up again, just trying to finish a couple of other books first!

[Laurie]

Heather wrote: "Hi all, I'm new to this group and this is my first read

I am actually surprised by how easy I am finding the book to read. I am reading on kindle and my translation seems to flow very well. I may ..."

I am beginning part two and there is still no answer to your question. So we'll have to keep going to see.

[Katy, Quarterly Long Reads]

As far as I can tell with how far I am into the book -- this is a satire on the "popular" chivalry novels at the time that DQ was written. Those books were all the rage during this time period.

[[deleted user]]

It certainly has a feel of satire particularly with the multiple mentions of said books

[Katy, Quarterly Long Reads]

Anyone have a favorite adventure from this week's reading?

[Friso]

Haha, absolutely! It turned out Family Guy is heavily based on this book, at least those are my thoughts. (view spoiler)[I read the chapter where DQ storms an army turned into sheep and when he gets hit by stones drinks some of his balsam... (hide spoiler)]

Curious to what others have read now.

[Susie]

Since it is most recent in my reading, Ill go with DQ accosting a man on the road to obtain his 'helmet'. This book is not what I expected...I thought it was much more serious and it turns out to be quite outrageous in the stories told...at least so far.

[Katy, Quarterly Long Reads]

Outrageous and crazy -- a fun book for sure.

[Katy, Quarterly Long Reads]

How are we doing with our reading? Where are you at in the book?

[Susie]

I've just made it to 25% read, so I'm guessing it will take close to the full time for me.
There have been a couple times when I begin to think it might be getting redundant with all the stories but then something in that particular vignette will grab me and I look forward to seeing how it turns out.