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eorI've been reading Don Quixote on and off for a while now. The book is incredibly long! I can only read a few pages at a time, then I need a break. That said, it's very funny. I've always though I was a bit like Quixote in the fact that I take on these crazy impossible projects, but I'm beginning to realize that's only the simplified version of the syndrome.
I now realize the place to see Quixote in modern life is in places like talk radio, Facebook, or political news. Because Quixote is so wrapped up in his delusion, he won't see any other view, no matter what the argument or evidence to the contrary. It's not just that he's a throwback who wants things to be the way they never really were. He acts on the non-existent and will twist everything in knots to make what is into supporting evidence for his delusion. He's been living in the fantasies he likes to read for so long they must be true, therefore everything outside must be made to fit with them.
In no place is this clearer than our hero's answer when Sancho calls him on the fact that what he thinks is a grand helmet is a shaving basin:
"because there is always a swarm of enchanters in attendance upon us that change and alter everything with us, and turn things as they please, and according as they are disposed to aid or destroy us; thus what seems to thee a barber's basin seems to me Mambrino's helmet, and to another it will seem something else; and rare foresight it was in the sage who is on my side to make what is really and truly Mambrino's helmet seem a basin to everybody, for, being held in such estimation as it is, all the world would pursue me to rob me of it; but when they see it is only a barber's basin they do not take the trouble to obtain it"
Even when he somewhat admits it's all a pose, his Lady is really a farm girl or he is choosing to act mad for sake of reputation, he still doesn't let go of the illusion. He's pretending because he is a knight and wants to be a famous one. It's not that pretending means he is not a knight.
So it doesn't matter what you see. It only matters what I know I see. You can argue all day and night. I just smile and nod at your foolishness.
You can see that every day on Facebook. Hear it on talk radio. See it on your favorite unbiased news outlet.
I now realize the place to see Quixote in modern life is in places like talk radio, Facebook, or political news. Because Quixote is so wrapped up in his delusion, he won't see any other view, no matter what the argument or evidence to the contrary. It's not just that he's a throwback who wants things to be the way they never really were. He acts on the non-existent and will twist everything in knots to make what is into supporting evidence for his delusion. He's been living in the fantasies he likes to read for so long they must be true, therefore everything outside must be made to fit with them.
In no place is this clearer than our hero's answer when Sancho calls him on the fact that what he thinks is a grand helmet is a shaving basin:
"because there is always a swarm of enchanters in attendance upon us that change and alter everything with us, and turn things as they please, and according as they are disposed to aid or destroy us; thus what seems to thee a barber's basin seems to me Mambrino's helmet, and to another it will seem something else; and rare foresight it was in the sage who is on my side to make what is really and truly Mambrino's helmet seem a basin to everybody, for, being held in such estimation as it is, all the world would pursue me to rob me of it; but when they see it is only a barber's basin they do not take the trouble to obtain it"
Even when he somewhat admits it's all a pose, his Lady is really a farm girl or he is choosing to act mad for sake of reputation, he still doesn't let go of the illusion. He's pretending because he is a knight and wants to be a famous one. It's not that pretending means he is not a knight.
So it doesn't matter what you see. It only matters what I know I see. You can argue all day and night. I just smile and nod at your foolishness.
You can see that every day on Facebook. Hear it on talk radio. See it on your favorite unbiased news outlet.
