Don Quixote: Characters, Style, Themes, and Influence on Modern Novels
Don Quixote: Characters
The duo formed by the nobleman Don Quixote and his squire, Sancho Panza, form the backbone of the plot.
Don Quixote
- A gentleman who has lost his sanity from reading too many books.
- Embodies the ideal and fantastic world of chivalry.
- Driven by two ideals: restoring justice in the world and his love for his lady.
- Seeks fantastic solutions to any situation, inspired by the books he has read.
Sancho Panza
- A tough farmer.
- Represents everyday reality.
- Only trusts what he sees and is concerned
Spanish Literature: Machado, Unamuno, and Lorca
Antonio Machado: Life and Poetic Style
Antonio Machado was born into a family of progressive intellectuals and educated at the *Institución Libre de Enseñanza*. He spent his youth working as a translator in Paris, where he attended lectures by the philosopher Henri Bergson at the Sorbonne. True to his Republican ideology, at the end of the Civil War, he was forced into exile in France, where he died.
Machado’s Work and Style
Machado’s poetry, which defended the word as intensely lyrical, eventually
Read MoreChildren’s Literature: Functions, Characteristics, and Critical Perspectives
Functions of Children’s Literature
Children’s literature serves multiple functions, including:
- Teaching and Knowledge Acquisition: It helps children learn new things and expand their understanding of the world.
- Moralizing: It instills certain moral values, helping children distinguish between good and evil.
- Entertainment: It provides enjoyment and pleasure, which is crucial for engaging young readers.
Ideally, these functions work together. If the entertainment aspect is strong, the other functions are
Read MoreCatalan Language Standardization: Fabra and Alcover’s Impact
Catalan Language Standardization
The standardization of the Catalan language was a complex process. The diversity of proposals and the intransigence of its supporters paralyzed the resolution of the problem for many years. It was expected that new generations, gathered around *L’Avenç* magazine, would revive the issue. A campaign aimed at ending spelling anarchy had begun. Pompeu Fabra, the greatest promoter of the language reform initiated by the *L’Avenç* group, presented his views in the *Essay
Read MoreSelf-Discovery and Personal Growth: The Knight’s Journey
**Sam:** Unlocking Inner Wisdom
Sam is the inner voice of the gentleman, offering guidance, helping him find his way, and teaching him to listen to himself.
Biography of Robert Fisher
Robert Fisher began his career at age 19, writing for Groucho Marx on his national radio program. He is the author or co-author of 400 radio comedy shows and received an Emmy for the series *Danny Thomas*. He has also been nominated four times for a Humanitas Prize.
Fisher’s first book, *The Knight with Rusty Armor*, has
Read More15th Century Literature: Poetry, Prose, and Theater
15th Century Literature
The Traditional Lyric
Although increasingly being used, there was still the lyrical role of oral transmission. The carol was used to express emotions and feelings. They were characterized by the use of images of nature, symbolism, repetition, wordplay, and simplicity.
The Court Poetry
Born in Provence, their creators were the trovadores. The subject was love, where the woman was like a divine being to love. The man pays homage to what is called courtly love. The lady’s honesty
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