Don Quixote’s Final Journey: A Look at Part 2
Don Quixote’s Final Journey: Part Two
The Defeat and Return
On Barcelona’s beach, Don Quixote suffers his final defeat against the Knight of the White Moon (Samson Carrasco in disguise). After failing to convince Don Quixote to return to Dulcinea, Carrasco demands he return home (Chapters LXIV-LXV). Returning to their imagined Arcadia, Sancho proposes they become shepherds, an idea Don Quixote likes (Chapter LXVII). After an unfortunate encounter with a herd of pigs, they are brought to the Dukes’ palace. There, Altisidora feigns a lovesick death, testing Sancho’s patience (Chapters LXVIII-LXX).
The Journey Home and Death
As they journey home, Sancho performs penance to disenchant Dulcinea. They encounter Alvaro Tarfe, who confirms the authenticity of Don Quixote and Sancho against Avellaneda’s versions (Chapters LXXI-LXXII). Overcoming unfounded omens, they arrive home. Don Quixote makes his will, providing for his niece and housekeeper, and rewarding Sancho. He regains sanity and dies peacefully, surrounded by loved ones (Chapters LXXIII-LXXIV).
Key Differences from Part One
Don Quixote is now aware of his fame and its public perception. From the second half onward, he’s less inclined to imagine events, allowing others (like the intrusive Dukes and Antonio Moreno) to shape his adventures. Cervantes himself, in Chapter XLIV, notes his intention to limit, if not eliminate, the novellas and interpolations of the first part, acknowledging minor flaws like the theft of Sancho’s donkey. However, pastoral and Moorish fictions remain: Camacho’s wedding and the story of Ana Felix. Cervantes seems to partially preserve the outline of Part One. In brilliant episodes like the Cave of Montesinos, there’s a certain depletion of character, as Don Quixote seems to doubt his own pretense. To prevent further misrepresentation, Cervantes chronicles his death in human and acceptable terms.
Summary of Key Elements
- Printing: Juan de la Cuesta
- Recurring Theme: Reality vs. Fiction
- Chapter 49: Don Quixote’s “deal with the church” signifies how ideals can be obstructed.
- Sancho’s Soliloquies: Showcase his evolving psychology and thought process.
- Quixotization and Sanchification: The blurring of identities.
- Interpolated Novellas: The Knight of the Mirrors, the Lions, Camacho’s Wedding.
- Master Peter/Gines de Pasamonte: The puppeteer’s identity revealed.
- The Dukes’ Palace: A setting for fabricated adventures, highlighting Don Quixote’s fading agency.
- Counterpoint Technique: Don Quixote and Sancho’s alternating roles.
- Sancho’s Governorship: A fabricated position on a non-existent island.
- Altisidora and Plaerdemavida: The influence of courtly love tropes.
- Barcelona and Zaragoza: The destinations of the true and false Quixote.
- Ricote: A Morisco returning to recover his family’s treasures.
- Roque Guinart: An encounter on the road to Barcelona.
- Claudia Jerónima and Vicente Torrellas: An interpolated story.
- Ana Felix: The conclusion of her adventure.
- The Knight of the White Moon: Samson Carrasco’s final challenge.
- Don Quixote’s Death: A deliberate ending by Cervantes to prevent further continuations.
Key Themes in Part 2
- Parody of chivalric adventures
- Realism and Idealism
- Madness and Love
- Social Reality and Literary Criticism
Differences Between Part 1 and Part 2
- Structure: Part 2 has a more focused narrative.
- Narrative Voice: Cide Hamete Benengeli’s presence is more pronounced.
- Characters: Don Quixote and Sancho become more alike.
- Language and Style: Cervantes’s masterful storytelling, humor, irony, and elevated style are evident.