Truth or Fiction? Cervantes is a String Puppeteer - 09/28/26
Last class, we discussed the different layers of narration in Don Quixote . Cervantes creates a character to act as the narrator, including remarks that question the validity of the stories. This unreliability acts as an anchor for DQ's insanity, allowing his character to have a philosophical impact on the reader. The inclusion of 'interpolated novels' (self-contained stories or shorter novels inserted into the main plot) is part of the reason truth is questioned in this part of the book. Cervantes does this three times in pages 227-449, all stories are embedded in the main plot by belonging/involving the characters. Although Don Fernando and Dorotea's (and other characters in this part) story isn't focused on the main characters, they are still connected to the main plot. The interpolated novels are discussed in the notes as autobiographical or based off of past literary works. I found these divulge...