Don Quixote: to Dream the Impossible Dream Essay

Don Quixote is one of the most popular novels presenting an amalgam of idealistic and realistic approach toward society and our lives. “To dream the impossible dream” is the main theme of this novel that thrives a person like me to follow this approach and transfer to my own life (Cervantes). Moreover, the essence of looking at things beyond our imagination along with revealing truths and practicing justice in every possible way are the two other golden rules of life that this novel teaches.

Reading “Don Quixote” raises a passion to see the possible and achieve the impossible; to administer justice and right the wrongs! I consider it a guide making me realize that everyone has both elements of the realistic and non-realistic approach of life in oneself.

As a first lesson, it focuses on the importance of “dreams” because if we become only realistic, then ultimately we may die one day out of hopelessness. One cannot live without dreams. They are dreams that make survival worthwhile. It makes us seek things beyond our capacity, eventually making our spirits high and hope alive. Dreams make our lives focused, decide our goals and ultimately strengthen our faith. I have also learned that reality is not actually as it appears. It might be false enough to let us question the actual truths. Hence, it makes us see things beyond imagination and reveal the hidden realities of life. In this way, it questions our belief of reality, this world, the nature of heaven, etc. (Cervantes).

It also highlights an important human nature i.e. what we see is actually what we want to see it as! It is up to us that we want to look at things at their surface levels or we go beneath them to find the inner beauty hidden. Hence, it teaches that “strive yourself to transform ugly or poor things into beauty by your own actions and visions”. This will be helpful in transforming our vision of this present world of corruption and cruelty into a world of beauty and noble deeds.

The second lesson I learned is the “application of justice in society”. By treating others with chivalry; correcting the wrong deeds; defending the weak and poor and seeking justice will make this world a better place of living. Hence, we must fear God and have a proper sense of justice, mercy and make our everyday life’s decisions unbiased.

The third lesson I learned is “to make our lives directed toward a specific goal and belief”. If we go without direction, then the world will be like a place of mad inhabitants only. We need to make a proper vision transforming our goals into noble deeds as a legacy for our society.

I also learned that we need to be fearless when dealing with reality. It is fear that prevents us from seeking superior spiritual reality. If we are courageous, then we can make the impossible possible. It also makes us realize that life is an endless maze, controlled by our fate and is confusing until it is guided properly.

In nutshell, I see this literature as a call for following rules of leading a better life by being a compassionate dreamer; with knowledge of leading an honest life and perceiving the world in a better way; striving for truth at every cost and thus believing in a better world. 

Works Cited: Cervantes, Miguel de. “Don Quixote.” Don Quixote de la Mancha. Ed. E. C. Riley. Trans. Charles Jarvis: Oxford Paperbacks Oxford World’s Classics, 2008.