Don Quixote 

Curator: This image is by Gustave Dore, titled "Don Quixote," an ink and pen drawing which captures a particular scene. My initial reaction? It’s dramatic, dark and frenzied! The black and white etching emphasizes movement and chaos through a mass of thin, energetic lines. Editor: Indeed. What Dore accomplishes here speaks to how Don Quixote and its central themes resonated in the 19th century and continue to do so today. We have this self-styled knight errant, lance leveled, interceding in what he perceives as injustice. Dore underscores the satirical dimensions of the original novel through both detail and visual framing. Curator: I see what you mean. It’s as though Dore anticipated modern debates about performative activism. Quixote's actions seem, well, theatrical. He appears less concerned with genuine justice and more with projecting this heroic image of himself. Editor: Exactly! Consider how Quixote and his steed almost burst from the frame, compared to the huddled forms of those he's "saving." The chaotic linework and dense foliage heighten the sense of urgency and artificiality. I find the drawing somewhat humorous. Quixote is often portrayed as the tragic figure, but Dore shows the farce inherent in this type of heroic self-aggrandizement. Curator: Yes. And there's a political undercurrent as well. Dore, like Cervantes, uses Quixote to poke fun at aristocratic pretensions while also highlighting the plight of ordinary people. Editor: Right. Think of how many leaders in history have played the part of "protector" while benefiting their interests! So the scene reminds us that, we must constantly question the motives of those who claim to act on our behalf. Is their action performative, to maintain an image, or will it produce long-lasting justice and change for all? Curator: Dore's “Don Quixote" is a compelling example of how historical and literary narratives can be adapted to reflect, even critique, contemporary society. Editor: Absolutely. It makes one reflect: how are our own stories written, and what narratives of "heroism" should we embrace—or challenge?