The Scarlet Letter By Nathanial Hawthorne - 1074 Words

Acceptance Introduction â€Å"In June 1642, in the Puritan town of Boston, a crowd gathers to witness the punishment of Hester Prynne, a young woman found guilty of adultery. She is required to wear a scarlet A on her dress to shame her. She must stand on the scaffold for three hours, to be exposed to public humiliation. As Hester approaches the scaffold, many of the women in the crowd are angered by her beauty and quiet dignity.† The Scarlet Letter written by Nathanial Hawthorne centers on sin, identity and society. The meaning of the A in the Scarlet Letter is meant to mean â€Å"Adulterer†. The meaning is not definite, the A meaning rather ambiguous is taken to mean what the person wants it to mean, equivocally it can be said that the meaning(s) of the A mirrors the beliefs and thoughts of its onlookers. The meaning of A as a motif is a recurring concept and idea centering on society and identity. â€Å"She had wandered, without rule or guidance, into a moral wilderness... Her intellect and heart had their home, as it were, in desert places, where she roamed as freely as the wild Indian in his woods... The scarlet letter was her passport into regions where other women dared not tread. Shame, Despair, Solitude! These had been her teachers—stern and wild ones—and they had made her strong, but taught her much amiss.† The A was meant to cripple Hester; to be a warning a reminder to others that sin would forever follow till death, as this was puritan belief. Hester though lonelyShow MoreRelatedThe Scarlet Letter, By Nathanial Hawthorne2079 Words   |  9 Pagesin today’s society, it was severely looked down upon in the 1800s. In The Scarlet Letter, Nathanial Hawthorne communicates the story of Hester Prynne, an adulteress. Hester Prynne lived in a Puritan Society in which women were held to high, difficult, and unjust standards by men. Evidently, she undergoes unusual punishments for her infidelities against her estranged husband. She forcibly wears an embroidered, scarlet letter A on her breast for the remainder of her life. Though physically benign, itsRead MoreScarlet Letter by Nathanial Hawthorne890 Words   |  4 Pagesfloating around letting you see others sin. Finally, you are a product of sin, your life is full of evil, and torture. Until your sin is revealed by your unknown father. These events happened to the character in Nathaniel Hawthor ns The Scarlett Letter. Their sin affects the way that these characters live. The Nature of sin can bring the worst and best out of people. Whether it is hidden or know, the sin can bring good and bad things to the people who have sinned. Dimmsdale’s sin was locked insideRead MoreSymbolism Of The Scarlet Letter By Nathanial Hawthorne881 Words   |  4 Pagesmany symbols throughout Nathanial Hawthorne’s novel The Scarlet Letter. The characters and many different things throughout the book are all symbolic, but the main symbol in the novel is the letter â€Å"A† on Hester Prynne’s gown. Not only are there many symbols throughout the novel, but the letter â€Å"A† has many different representations of itself such as, adultery, which is the main symbol for the â€Å"A,† her ability to do things, and she is even referred to as an angel. The letter is meant to be a symbolRead MoreThe Influences of the Main Characters in The Scarlet Letter by N athanial Hawthorne961 Words   |  4 PagesWho is Arthur Dimmsdale? Do we, as readers, ever fully understand the extent of Dimmsdale’s character provided to us by Nathaniel Hawthorne? In the novel, The Scarlet Letter, the on-the-surface themes of sin and suffering are very clear, but the development of the different characters and their own personal challenges plays a big factor (and maybe even the biggest factor) to the moral of the story rather than what is shown in plain sight. There are three main characters that reflect the differentRead MoreAntifeminist and Feminism within The Scarlet Letter1388 Words   |  6 PagesAntifeminist and Feminism within The Scarlet Letter In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s â€Å"The Scarlet Letter† Hester Prynne is accused and convicted of adultery. During the puritan era women in this society had specific obligations and rights they had to maintain. By Hester having an affair and acting unladylike the community disapproved of her actions causing everyone to isolate her in her town. Due to Hester Prynne’s Isolation and the harsh judgment she received from everyone in her town, she goes throughRead MoreThe Novel The Scarlet Letter 893 Words   |  4 PagesThe Weight of a Name The Scarlet Letter is a timeless novel because of the timeless characters depicted in the piece. Each character was carefully constructed by Nathanial Hawthorne to represent a specific aspect of sin. He used these characters to tell a story that would translate how distorted the Puritans’ view of sin was. Not only did he thoughtfully plan the characters’ personalities, backgrounds, and beliefs out in order to convey this distortion of sin, but their names were carefully consideredRead MoreThe Scarlet Letter By Hugues Merle1580 Words   |  7 PagesThe Scarlet Letter (Figure 1) painted by Hugues Merle in 1861 depicts the novel The Scarlet Letter by Nathanial Hawthorne. Hester Prynne, an adulteress forced to wear the letter â€Å"A† upon her bosom forever, becomes an outcast from the community with her daughter, Pearl. Merle was often known for painting scenes of mothers and children. He illustrates the scene of Hester and Pearl sitting in the town square as part of her punishment. The townspeople walk by, pointing fingers and making shrewd remarksRead MoreSins inThe Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne Essay1517 Words   |  7 Pagesâ€Å"Be true! Be true! Be true! Show freely to the world, if not your worst, yet some trait whereby the worst may be inferred† (Hawthorne). As this sentence is read in the The Scarlet Letter, the reader will realize that the main theme of the book is the sentence above. Throughout the book, secret sin damages the lives, soul, and the integrity of the main characters. However, it could have easily been evaded through open confession of their sins. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s purpose in writing this novel isRead MoreEssay about Nathaniel Hawthornes Use of Symbolism482 Words   |  2 PagesNathaniel Hawthorne is a prominent writer who uses many different elements in his works. He uses elements such as symbolism, figurative language, metaphor, irony and etc. to make his work prominent. In the works by N athaniel Hawthorne, he uses symbols for secret sin in The Scarlet Letter, â€Å"The Minister’s Black Veil,† and â€Å"Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment.† As seen in The Scarlet letter, the symbol for secret sin is the Scarlet letter â€Å"A.† The â€Å"A† represents the sin in which Hester commits adultery withRead More Exposed Sin vs. Hidden Sin in the Scarlet Letter Essay633 Words   |  3 Pageshidden sin as related to The Scarlet Letter, and the effects it has on people. In Nathanial HawthorneÂ’s The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne represents the exposed sin while Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale and Roger Chillingworth represent the hidden sin. Hester PrynneÂ’s sin is exposed on the scaffold in front of the townspeople. For punishment she is made to wear the letter “A”, for adulteress, on her bosom. HesterÂ’s daughter, Pearl, is herself a symbol of the scarlet letter. Pearl is always seen with

Ethical And Legal Importance Of Social Responsibility

(1575)An Analysis of the Ethical and Legal Importance of Social Responsibility in Corporate Culture This business study will analyze the ethical and legal importance of social responsibility in corporate culture. Friedman (1970) defines the dangers of ‘social responsibility† as a threat to the individualism and profit motives of corporate executives that must serve the corporation before the larger society. More so, Friedman argues that the corporation is an â€Å"artificial person† that relies on the free markets to correct problems with non-productive, hazardous, or useless products may interfere with the stability of society. Glasbeek’s (2002) critique of Friedman’s â€Å"artificial person† defines the problematic propaganda of the corporation†¦show more content†¦Milton (1970 presents the individual role of the corporate executive as being legally bound to maximize the profits of the corporation over any potential interference from society and/or the government. In the capitalist system, the importance of private property and i ndividual ownership maintain the ethical necessity of corporate executive act only on the behalf of the corporation, especially in the context of the corporation as a its own type of â€Å"artificial person†: Only people have responsibilities. A corporation is an artificial person and in this sense may have artificial responsibilities, but business as a whole cannot be said to have responsibilities, even in this vague sense (Friedman, 1970, para.2). In this type of private sector environment, the individual responsibility of the corporate executive must only protect the interests of the corporation, as well as the profits that need to made to sustain this type of private capitalist institution. Therefore, making money for the corporation will improve the wealth of the company, which will then makes it possible to employ people in society and share in this wealth as a social benefit. In this manner, the legal and ethical â€Å"obligation† of the corporate executive must never take responsibility for what the corporation may do to threaten social stability (the environment,

Economics of Climate Change released in 2007 insists Free Essays

string(92) " classify minivans and SUV’s as passenger vehicles rather than light trucks† \(Mayer\)\." There is overwhelming evidence that global warming is actually occurring and is no longer just an academic concern. The Stern Review: the Economics of Climate Change released in 2007 insists that there is still time to make an impact and change the effects of global warming. Failure to do so would result in â€Å"climate change (that) will affect the basic elements of life for people around the world – access to water, food production, health, and the environment. We will write a custom essay sample on Economics of Climate Change released in 2007 insists or any similar topic only for you Order Now Hundreds of millions of people could suffer hunger, water shortages and costal floodings as the world warms† (â€Å"The Stern Review†). Fossil fuels are the number one contributor to carbon dioxide emissions in the United States alone. The use of fossil fuels for transportation contributes to a host of environmental problems, from urban ozone to global warming. Carbon dioxide makes up about 85 percent of the United States’ total anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases that lead to global warming. Methane, nitrous oxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, halocarbons, per fluorocarbons, and other gases make up the remaining 15 percent. More than 98 percent of U. S. carbon dioxide emissions are caused by the combustion of fossil fuels for energy consumption (Rubin, 1998). There are many alternatives energy sources that could slow the process of global warming. Alternative energy is energy that is renewable or is not harmful the environment, such as wind, water, or geothermal powered energy. Reviewing several sources of alternative energy including alternative fuel for vehicles, solar energy, and geothermal energy and evaluating their impact on the public and viewing public opinion of alternative energy will help us have a better understanding of the concept of alternative energy and how we can benefit from using it. The effects of global warming are being felt worldwide. â€Å"Global warming and the melting of polar ice cover is predicted to raise ocean levels worldwide, directly impacting on island nations who plead most strongly for restraint of fossil fuel consumption by industrialized nations† (Mayer). Some alternative fuel methods have been tried and found to be very successful. â€Å"Another strategy for reducing fossil fuel emissions from vehicles is to shift to alternate fueled vehicles. Various choices include electric, natural gas, methane, and fuel cell vehicles† (Mayer). In the United States there are some environmentally conscious states have started to support energy efficient vehicles. â€Å"The federal government has provided some limited support for the development of alternate fueled vehicles, while California has mandated that companies selling vehicles there market a certain percentage of zero emission vehicles, or ZEVs†(Mayer). Solar energy is an alternative energy method that has been in practice for many years. â€Å"On June 20, 1979, President Jimmy Carter dedicated the solar hot water heating system newly installed in the West Wing of the White House†(Laird, 2001, p. 1). Solar energy is obtained through solar panels that take the light from the sun and convert into energy, such as electricity. Solar power has proven to be a great source of energy and many people in the United States and Europe are switching to solar power, both for moral reasons and cash incentives from governments. In the United States, the citizens of California are taking it upon themselves to invest in alternative sources of energy. They have concentrated their investments in solar power but have also experimented with wind, water, and geothermal power. Californians find solar power advantageous not only because of its insurance against blackouts and skyrocketing electricity fees but also because it produces no pollution. As the government gives consumers cash incentives, such as tax breaks when they use these alternative sources of energy, local power companies are able to use alternative sources for energy production (Woloski, 2006). Solar energy is a cost effective and product way to utilize natural energy. Geothermal energy is the energy that is held within the core of the earth. â€Å"Geothermal energy is released naturally in geysers and volcanoes† (â€Å"Energy, Sources Of,† 2004). Geothermal energy is an effect way to heat homes or businesses because â€Å"Even where there are not naturally occurring geothermal aquifers, heat can be usefully extracted from the ground† (Derektaylor, 2000, p. 57). â€Å"In California, some of the state’s electricity is generated by the geothermal plant complex known as the Geysers, which has been in production since 1960, and in Iceland, which is geologically very active, roughly 70% of the homes are heated by geothermal energy†(â€Å"Energy, Sources Of,† 2004). Although using alternative energy is a great concept and idea there are some negative consequences to using alternative energy. Alternative energy is often difficult to obtain and very costly to initiate (Woloski, 2006). For the change to occur governments and citizens will have first have to invest a great deal of money in the initial set up of alternative energy. This can be very costly both for the people and the government. â€Å"Why are so few environmentally conscious customers signing up, despite the positive outlook? New research suggests that consumers simply do not trust their utilities’ green credentials†(Bloemers, Magnomi Peters, 2001, p. 15). People are uneasy trying new things such as alternative energy, especially if it is costly in comparative to other available energy sources. There are also harmful effects on the environment by using some types of alternative energy. For example â€Å"geothermal energy sources have minimal environmental impacts that while limited, include air pollution and noise. Photovoltaic solar energy systems exhibit limited negative environmental impacts because they necessitate manufacture of photovoltaic cells, use of large land areas, and a negative aesthetic impact†(Ferrey, 2003). And then of course â€Å"Biomass energy facilities, depending on the fuel source, emit a variety of criteria air pollutants resulting from the combustion of organic materials†(Ferrey, 2003). The energy consumption of the people of the United States is of great concern to the world’s environmental health. The United States Congress is well aware of their countries contributions to global warming. In 2002 the Senate passed legislation that â€Å"would raise average fuel efficiency standards to 36 mpg by 2015, a standard that would classify minivans and SUV’s as passenger vehicles rather than light trucks† (Mayer). You read "Economics of Climate Change released in 2007 insists" in category "Papers" In less than ten years the classification will have an effect on the people on the United States. This amount of time is crucial when we consider the state of ozone layer and the steady increase of global warming. Becoming aware of the staggering usage of gasoline may help sway some Americans to switch to alternative methods of transportation; with the creation of the KYOTO treaty the hope was the all nations of the world could work together and make the right choice and consciously choose to support the health of the environment, the very source that sustains us. To make changes we need to specifically â€Å"explore the complex interactions and mutual influences of philosophy, evolutionary biology, ethics–conceptual enterprises all–and our primary interactions and encounters with humans and nature in everyday life†(Donnelley). By switching to hybrid vehicles or alternative energy vehicles, making sure all vehicles on the road pass emissions tests, and discontinue driving oversized vehicles that take more fossil fuel and because more emissions to be released Americans can contribute to slowing global warming†¦ There are people all over the world who have taken measures to switch to alternative energy. â€Å"Green energy would seem to have a rosy future. Technological advances have helped to lower the cost of renewable power sources such as wind turbine generators, solar cells, small hydroelectric plants, and geothermal energy†(Bloemers, Magnomi Peters, 2001, p. 15). Growing trends of alternative energy are popping up all over the world. In response to these suggestive trends, European utilities such as Eastern Group and Powergen, in the United Kingdom, and RWE and EON, in Germany, now offer green energy to distributors or direct to interested consumers. Typically, the utility commits itself to produce with, or to buy from, renewable sources all of the energy that it sells through green contracts. Customers thus know that they are paying for green production even if they are not directly connected to the source. Price premiums, often depending on the source, range from 2 percent to more than 30 percent above the utilities’ normal tariffs. Yet in the United Kingdom and Germany, for example, less than 1 percent of electricity customers have chosen the green option. (Bloemers, Magnomi Peters, 2001, p. 15) In the United States â€Å"Consumers in several states have the option of selecting their choice of generation companies. Although the contract path of electricity does not remotely match the actual electron path from generators to consumers, it is possible to â€Å"select† alternate generation technologies such as biomass, solar, or wind. (Allenby Unger, 2001, p. 22) In California, the Sacramento Municipal Utility District runs a solar power program and â€Å"has enjoyed exceptional popularity. This program equips the roofs of houses with solar cells that essentially turn these homes into â€Å"mini power-plants† by converting sunlight into electricity. The system does have several disadvantages, such as the high expenses of building a solar power station and the unreliable nature of sunlight† (Woloski, 2006). Some speculate that â€Å"American conservatives tend not to take global warming seriously and fail to see why those who do find the U. S. unwillingness to tax energy infuriating. This perhaps more than any other act cemented in the mind of many Europeans the image of George Bush as a self-serving unilateralist† (Fukuyama 143). Although the environment has not been a factor regularly addressed by the Bush administration there are huge American corporations, such as â€Å"Boeing, IBM, John Hancock and Whirlpool — (who) have publicly endorsed the notion that climate change is real by joining a business council organized by the Pew Center on Global Climate Change†(Lynch). The Pew Center is an international organization that brings together business leaders, scientists, policy makers and other experts to address controversial issues (â€Å"Working together because†). The idea behind this thinking can in fact be construed as a financial investment. â€Å"A clear sign that climate concerns have moved into the financial mainstream is the growing activism of institutional shareholders. Over the past few years, investors have become increasingly worried about insufficient disclosure about the risks companies face from global warming. Under existing regulations, publicly traded companies are required to disclose to investors any information that could have a â€Å"material† impact on their financial results. There are no additional requirements governing climate-change issues. A changing climate threatens companies throughout the economy with costs from future regulations, the physical effects of a changing landscape, even the danger of massive lawsuits†(Lynch). Although the reasons for supporting the fight against global warming by American corporations are may be financially based, these corporations are large enough that collectively they can make a huge impact and ideally smaller companies will follow in their footsteps. Using alternative energy is a growing trend, however, â€Å"alternative sources of energy are more expensive than traditional energy production; after all, traditional energy production is so popular because such methods currently allow the least amount of fuel to produce the most energy at the cheapest prices. It is for this reason that the industry of alternative energy sources has not yet boomed† (Woloski, 2006). With the state of global warming increasing at a danger rate all people should make an effort to use less fossil fuel and create less pollution by switching to alternative energy sources. Many people have the view that one person can not make a difference, this is not true. \ a fine balance needs to be found between human beings and nature. â€Å"Humans and nature† problems press in upon us from all sides. We are all becoming–or should be becoming–more cognizant of global warming; ecologically unsustainable cities and agricultural practices; the overuse of antibiotics in our health care systems and on our factory farms; the global crash of ocean fisheries; a human population and use of natural resources that is squeezing out other forms of life; the pollution and degradation of our air, soil, and water† (Donnelley). Now all of these points need to be taken into consideration and changed as a whole, but the first step is for all people of the world, to accept their responsibility to the environment and create a process that will improve the way they effect global warming, even if it begins with only one small change. References Allenby, B. , Unger, D. (2001). Information Technology Impacts on the U. S. Energy Demand Profile. In E-Vision 2000: Key Issues That Will Shape Our Energy Future: Analyses and Papers Prepared for the E-Vision 2000 Conference (pp. 7-27). Santa Monica, CA: Rand. Retrieved April 4, 2007, from Questia database: http://www. questia. com/PM. qst? a=od=106437389 Bloemers, R. , Magnomi, F. , Peters, M. (2001). Paying a Green Premium. 15. Retrieved April 4, 2007, from Questia database: http://www. questia. com/PM. qst? a=od=5001037408 Donnelley, Astrakhan. â€Å"Natural Responsibilities: Philosophy, Biology, and Ethics in Ernst Mayr and Hans Jonas. † The Hastings Center Report 32. 4 (2002): 36+ Energy, Sources Of. (2004). In The Columbia Encyclopedia (6th ed. ). New York: Columbia University Press. Retrieved April 4, 2007, from Questia database: http://www. questia. com/PM. qst? a=od=101242747 Derektaylor. (2000). Chapter 4 Renewable Energy in Housing. In Sustainable Housing: Principles Practice (pp. 50-59). London: E FN Spon. Retrieved April 4, 2007, from Questia database: http://www. questia. com/PM. qst? a=od=109201075 Ender, R. L. Kim, J. C. (Eds. ). (1987). Energy Resources Development: Politics and Policies. New York: Quorum Books. Retrieved April 4, 2007, from Questia database: http://www. questia. com/PM. qst? a=od=27459699 Ferrey, S. (2003). Nothing but Net: Renewable Energy and the Environment, MidAmerican Legal Fictions, and Supremacy Doctrine. Duke Environmental Law Policy Forum, 14(1), 1+. Retrieved April 4, 2007, from Questia database: http://www. questia. com/PM. qst? a=od=5005792298 Fukuyama, Francis. â€Å"8 Does â€Å"the West† Still Exist?. † Beyond Paradise and Power: Europe, America, and the Future of a Troubled Partnership. Ed. Tod Lindenberg. New York: Routledge, 2004. 137-161. Jordan, Stuart. â€Å"The Global Warming Crisis. † The Humanist Nov. -Dec. 2005: 23+. Questia. 29 Mar. 2007 http://www. questia. com/PM. qst? a=od=5011705078. Johansen, Bruce E. The Global Warming Desk Reference. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2002. Lackner, Klaus S. , and Jeffrey D. Sachs. â€Å"A Robust Strategy for Sustainable Energy. † Brookings Papers on Economic Activity (2005): 215+. Laird, F. N. (2001). Solar Energy, Technology Policy, and Institutional Values. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press. Retrieved April 4, 2007, from Questia database: http://www. questia. com/PM. qst? a=od=105099570 Mayer, Donald O. â€Å"Corporate Governance in the Cause of Peace: An Environmental Perspective. † Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law 35. 2 (2002): 585+. Questia. 29 Mar. 2007 http://www. questia. com/PM. qst? a=od=5000766056. Rubin, J. (1998). Shifting Gears: To Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions, the United States Faces Some Tough Choices. Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy, 13(4), 98+. Retrieved April 4, 2007, from Questia database: http://www. questia. com/PM. qst? a=od=5001398516 Stern Review-Summary. HM Treasury. 2007. 1-4. 29 Mar. 2007 http://www. hm-treasury. gov. uk/media/999/76/CLOSED_SHORT_executive_summary. pdf. Woloski, A. (2006). Fuel of the Future: A Global Push toward New Energy. Harvard International Review, 27(4), 40+. Retrieved April 4, 2007, from Questia database: http://www. questia. com/PM. qst? a=od=5014475018 â€Å"Working Together Because Climate Change is Serious Business. † Pew Center on Global Climate Change. Pew Center on Global Climate Change. 29 Mar. 2007 http://www. pewclimate. org/about/. How to cite Economics of Climate Change released in 2007 insists, Papers

Idealism in Don Quixote free essay sample

In the book Don Quixote by Miguel Cervantes, the eponymous protagonist, Don Quixote, explains his reason for becoming a knight in the 16th century, saying â€Å"as time went on and wickedness increased, the order of knight-errantry was instituted to defend maidens, to protect widows, and to rescue orphans and distressed persons† (Cervantes 52). In the book, Quixote, moved by books of chivalry, dons his grandfather’s rusty knight armor and sallies on an adventure in Spain with his squire, Sancho Panza. Throughout Spain, Quixote and Panza meet characters that hinder, help, and challenge the concept of chivalry in a modern world. Quixote epitomizes idealism by becoming a knight-errant when chivalry is considered an outdated moral code. Commentary by Cervantes is both biting and affectionate, but ultimately a criticism of idealism. Quixotism, a word derived from Don Quixote, is defined as the impractical pursuit of ideals. Quixote was once a gentleman from La Mancha, but books of chivalry have corrupted his mind, making him temporarily mad. We will write a custom essay sample on Idealism in Don Quixote or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page In the book Don Quixote, Quixote’s misadventures are described in detail. One of the first indicators of the depth of Quixote’s madness is his attempt to fight a field of windmills he mistakes for giants, declaring, â€Å"Do you see over yonder my friend Sancho Panza, thirty or more huge giants? † (Cervantes 36). What ensues is a cartoonish, slapstick-ish battle where Quixote is knocked to the ground by a windmill’s turning sails, wounded, and nearly killed. In this scene and many scenes after this, Cervantes not only implies that idealism has the ability to make one look foolish, but that it is powerful enough to physically injure. How Cervantes contrasts Quixote’s idealism might appear humorous to readers, as it comes in the form of the squire Sancho Panza. Panza is a simple man, whose modest intellect only highlights the reality Quixote gravely distorts. Many misadventures and grievances could have been avoided if Quixote had listened to Panza’s advice. After the duo’s adventuring seemed to have come to a conclusion in Part One, Quixote and Panza are spurred back into action when they hear about the false accounts of their adventures. Soon, Quixote and Panza meet a duke and duchess. The Duke and Duchess exploit and demean the oblivious Quixote and Panza. The humiliation Quixote and Panza face in Part Two makes up the bulk of the story. While Part One plainly condemns idealism, Part Two almost pities it, serving as the inverse of Cervantes’s original intent. Cervantes’s personal experience as a penniless and jailed man after his service in the Spanish army, and an unhappy Christian during the Spanish Inquisition, made him a bitter and jaded man. These experiences affected and inspired his messages in Don Quixote. So just what is Cervantes trying to say about idealism and realism? That it is dangerous, often disappointing, but admirable. Idealism will not and maybe cannot thrive in the presence of an ever-oppressive society. Chivalric romances are things of the past and are best left in the past. Even if realism is much better and much safer, the death of Quixote’s idealism is one full of grief. When the sanity of Don Quixote returns and he reverts into the gentleman Alonso Quixano, readers cannot help but feel a certain sorrow for his crushed spirit. It seems Cervantes had conflicting feelings over idealism and realism. At first, Don Quixote is clearly a criticism of chivalric romantic literature. However, at the end of Don Quixote, Cervantes seems to mourn the death of Quixote’s idealism. In Samson Carrasco’s epitaph for Quixote, he writes that Quixote â€Å"had the fortune in his age to live a fool and die a sage† (Cervantes 527). This quote insinuates that Cervantes favored Quixote’s sane death over his brief but insane adventure. Regardless of Cervantes’s intention, many readers seem to view Don Quixote as a celebration of idealism. Instead of denouncing the messages of chivalric romanticism, readers are inspired by Don Quixote to fight giants, battle armies, and dream the impossible dream. Works Cited