Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
REGION IX, ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA
DIVISION OF PAGADIAN CITY
ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

ninskii
Name: Chavez, Kay Jasmin Rech S. Section: Newton
Date: 03/08/25

A BOOK REVIEW OF
“DON QUIXOTE”

Introduction
Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quixote is one of the most famous books ever written. First
published in 1605, the story follows Alonso Quixano, a man who reads so many books about
knights that he starts believing he is one. He renames himself Don Quixote and sets off on a
journey to bring justice to the world, even though reality does not match his dreams. His loyal
but practical squire, Sancho Panza, accompanies him, trying to guide him back to reason.

The novel is both funny and sad. It explores how people see the world differently, the tension
between dreams and reality, and the power of stories. Don Quixote’s adventures are often
silly—like when he mistakes windmills for giants—but they also raise deep questions about
belief and purpose.

In this review, I will discuss the story, the characters, and the balance between comedy and
tragedy in Don Quixote. I will also explore how the book portrays the conflict between
dreams and reality and why Cervantes’ message is still meaningful today.

Body
Imagine an old man who reads so many adventure stories that he convinces himself he is a
knight. That is exactly what happens to Alonso Quixano, a simple man from La Mancha,
Spain. After spending too much time reading about knights and heroic battles, he loses touch
with reality and decides to become a knight himself. He puts on rusty armor, takes up a lance,
and sets out to fight evil and defend the weak. However, there is one big problem—his world
is not filled with knights and monsters. Instead, he mistakes ordinary things for great dangers.
In one of the most famous scenes, he attacks windmills, thinking they are terrifying giants.
This moment is both humorous and symbolic—it shows how Don Quixote sees the world one
way, while reality is completely different.

Don Quixote does not travel alone. He convinces Sancho Panza, a poor but sensible farmer,
to be his squire. Sancho follows him, hoping to gain wealth and land, but soon finds himself
caught up in Quixote’s fantasies. At first, Sancho does not believe in Quixote’s wild ideas
and tries to bring him back to reality. However, as the story progresses, Sancho starts to see
things differently and becomes more involved in the adventures. Their friendship is one of
the most interesting parts of the book. Don Quixote is a dreamer, while Sancho is more
realistic, but they both change as they travel together.

The contrast between these two characters makes the story both funny and meaningful. Don
Quixote’s idealism is inspiring but impractical, while Sancho’s common sense keeps them
grounded. Cervantes uses these characters to explore an important question: Is it better to
chase big dreams or accept the world as it is?

One of the main themes in Don Quixote is the struggle between idealism and reality. Quixote
sees himself as a hero in a world full of noble quests, but in truth, most people think he is
simply mad. A perfect example of this is the windmill scene. Quixote believes he is fighting
dangerous giants, but they are just ordinary windmills. This moment highlights how people
can become so focused on their dreams that they fail to see reality.

Another important theme is the power of imagination and storytelling. Don Quixote’s entire
identity as a knight comes from the books he reads. Cervantes raises an interesting question:
Is it wrong to live in a fantasy if it gives life meaning? While Quixote’s dreams may not be
realistic, they make his world more exciting and full of purpose. The people around him live
ordinary lives, but Quixote chooses to believe in something greater.

Despite his mistakes, Don Quixote’s dedication to justice and honor makes him an admirable
character. His actions may seem foolish, but his determination to do good is inspiring. The
novel challenges readers to think about what truly matters: Should we accept the world as it
is, or should we fight to make it better, even if we fail?
At first glance, Don Quixote seems like a comedy. The ridiculous situations Quixote gets into
—charging at windmills, picking fights with innocent travelers, and mistaking ordinary
people for villains—are undeniably funny. His absolute confidence, even when he is clearly
wrong, adds to the humor.

However, beneath the comedy is a deeper sense of tragedy. Quixote’s commitment to his
ideals separates him from reality. The people around him do not understand or appreciate his
vision. They see him as a fool. His greatest love, Dulcinea, is not actually a noble lady—she
is just a peasant woman he has convinced himself is a princess in distress. As the story goes
on, it becomes clear that Quixote’s refusal to accept reality leads to both his greatest
adventures and his downfall.

In the end, Don Quixoteis both a funny and heartbreaking story. It makes us laugh at
Quixote’s wild imagination, but it also makes us wonder if the world needs more dreamers
like him.

Conclusion

To sum up, Don Quixote is more than just a story about a man who thinks he is a knight and
fights windmills. It is about the struggle between dreams and reality, what it means to be a
hero, and how stories and imagination shape our view of the world. Don Quixote’s journey,
no matter how ridiculous, still speaks to readers today because it shows what it is like to hold
onto beliefs even when others do not understand. His friendship with Sancho Panza and the
people they meet along the way highlight how different perspectives can lead to
misunderstandings but also personal growth.

What makes this novel stand the test of time is how deeply human it is. It raises questions
about purpose, ideals, and whether holding onto dreams is foolish or necessary in a world that
often values practicality over imagination. Don Quixote’s determination, even when it leads
to failure, makes us reflect on our own values and how we face life’s challenges. More than
400 years later, Cervantes’ novel still resonates because it reminds us that being human
means finding our own balance between dreams and reality.