Grady’s Stance on the Immaturity of Don Quixote

          Don Quixote attempts to create a new identity are laughable and some points but are also dangerous and affect other people around him in a negative way. He has been reading his chivalry novels too much and is now trying to emulate the characters in the novels. He needs to be a part of the real world and lessen his readings of knights in shining amour. Don Quixote’s efforts to create a new identity resembles that of a child trying to be like their idol. It is as if he is a child in a fifty year old’s body. His child like actions have even began to impact others and not only himself. An example would be when he was trying to get the farmer to pay his servant. At the end of the conversation he had with the farmer, Don Quixote was convinced that the farmer would pay his servant back but right after he left, the farmer said to his servant, “My oath on it, too,” said the farmer; “but as I have a strong affection for you, I want to add to the debt in order to add to the payment;” and seizing him by the arm, he tied him up again, and gave him such a flogging that he left him for dead.

          Any other rational adult would realize that the farmer was blatantly lying and would do the exact opposite after he had left. Don Quixote’s lack of rational thinking in this real world interaction caused an innocent servant to be beaten even more than what was expected.

         His immaturity also affects himself like when he thought the windmills were giants and began to charge at them and ends up getting stuck in the windmills blades. At some times his immaturity can be dangerous but at other times it can be comical like in the last example that was given.

         I have never really gone to such an extreme as to try and change my identity but I have changed as a person throughout my lifetime whether it be intentionally or not. The way Don Quixote attempted to change himself is the exact opposite of how I would try and change my identity. My attempt to change my identity would be a slow process. I would not just change my identity and act like nothing had happened like Don Quixote did. My approach to it would be well thought out and would be most beneficial to myself and others around me. There would be set goals to accomplish that would overtime allow me to change my identity.

          In conclusion I would not advise anyone to try and be like Don Quixote. I say this because Don Quixote’s attempts to change his identity overall have a negative effect on not only himself but on others as well. Some might call his actions a mid life crisis and what he needs to do is relax and really try to think about what he really wants in life.