Don Quixote of La Mancha: Editions, Themes, and Narrative Structure

Don Quixote of La Mancha: An Analysis

Editions of the Work

The work is published in two parts:

• Part 1: Appeared in 1605 with the title The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha. It consists of a prologue, poems, burlesques, and 52 initial and final chapters.
• Part 2: Grouped and published in 1615 with a change in the title: The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha. It consists of a prologue and 74 chapters.

In 1614, the second volume of The Ingenious Hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha appeared, signed by Alonso Fernández de Avellaneda. In the foreword to this insulting false Quixote, Cervantes replied in the preface of the second part of his book and included, within the fiction itself, references to the falsity of Avellaneda's novel.

Sources

The narrative models mentioned above (pastoral novel, Byzantine, chivalric, sentimental, Moorish) show their influence in the opening chapters of Don Quixote. One can also see the influence of an anonymous work, the interlude of The Farmer's Romances. El Bartolo goes mad from reading so many romances and sets out in search of adventures to imitate heroic deeds.

Prologue

In the preface to the first part, the author states that the initial purpose of the work is a critique of the books he considered chivalric romances. Cervantes believed these novels were poorly written, narrated obscene events, and were unlikely. In Don Quixote, Cervantes parodies the romance of chivalry to criticize the genre.

Structure of the Work

The gentleman Alonso Quijano goes mad from reading books of chivalry and decides to resurrect the long-lost tradition of knighthood. He becomes Don Quixote, dedicates his love to Dulcinea, and sets out on the roads in search of fame and heroic deeds. Don Quixote's adventures are organized into three main 'sallies' or departures:

• First Sally: Departure from the Village

  The first time, Don Quixote leaves his house alone. In the subsequent two sallies, he is accompanied by Sancho Panza. In the third sally, Bachelor Sansón Carrasco appears, who ultimately causes Don Quixote's defeat.

• Second Sally: A Series of Adventures

  Don Quixote confronts perceived reality, often mistaking objects like windmills for giants, and frequently fails, receiving blows and beatings. In the third sally, a significant change occurs: the main character is no longer mistaken, but rather others distort reality for their own convenience or amusement at his expense. For example, Sancho tries to trick his master by assuring him that Dulcinea is an ugly village woman.

• Third Sally: Return to the Village

  All three sallies conclude with Don Quixote's return to his village: the first two under harsh conditions, and the last, leading to his death. The road plays a vital role, encouraging encounters of all types and revealing the social fabric. Don Quixote and Sancho Panza's journey leads to new adventures and different stories. Encounters with other characters originate episodes outside the central action.