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Theme: Major trends in literature and the Arts: Don Quixote- 1616

The novel Don Quixote, by Miguel Cervantes, was one of the greatest pieces of literature that characterized the main qualities and themes of Spain during the decline of Absolutism. The novel portrays the essence of Spanish society in Europe through "idealistic but impractical" natures. It attains this focus by featuring the main character, Don Quixote, who has various dreams and spends his life in rural Spain chasing military glory. It is this focus that goes beyond the microcosm and shows society as a whole and depicts its life as living in a dream where their wishes are bound and impractical and that their hope of attaining an ideal political structure is futile. Don Quixote is an effective literary masterpiece in conveying the major trends of society.  Mckay, John P., Bennett D. Hill, and John Buckler. __A History of Western society__. 7th ed. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2003.