Of the diverting and important scrutiny which the curate and the barber made in the library of our ingenious gentleman explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Literature and Metafiction

  The chapter is a meta-commentary on the nature of books and their influence, as characters judge and burn chivalric romances.

• Reality vs. Illusion

  The scrutiny highlights the conflict between the real world and the fictional world of chivalry that has consumed Don Quixote.

Characters to notice

• The Priest

  Leads the scrutiny of Don Quixote's library, deciding which books to burn or spare.

• Master Nicholas

  Assists the curate in the scrutiny, handing him books and offering opinions.

• The Niece

  Eagerly supports the burning of the books, urging no mercy for any of them.

• The Housekeeper

  Brings holy water and enthusiastically helps dispose of the books by throwing them into the yard.

• Miguel de Cervantes

  Mentioned as the author of 'Galatea,' a book spared by the curate.

Key passages

• “The first that Master Nicholas put into his hand was The Four Books of Amadís of Gaul. 'This seems a mysterious thing,' said the curate, 'for, as I have heard say, this was the first book of chivalry printed in Spain, and from this all the others derive their birth and origin; so it seems to me that we ought inexorably to condemn it to the flames as the founder of so vile a sect.'”

  The curate declares that Amadís of Gaul, as the first Spanish chivalric romance, should be burned as the source of all such harmful books.

  The curate blames Amadís of Gaul for inspiring the genre that led to Don Quixote's madness.

• “'No,' said the niece, 'there is no reason for showing mercy to any of them; they have every one of them done mischief; better fling them out of the window into the court and make a pile of them and set fire to them; or else carry them into the yard, and there a bonfire can be made without the smoke giving any annoyance.'”

  The niece insists that all the books should be burned without exception, as they have all caused harm.

  The niece's vehement opposition to the books reflects the family's concern over Don Quixote's madness.

• “'That Cervantes has been for many years a great friend of mine, and to my knowledge he has had more experience in reverses than in verses. His book has some good invention in it, it presents us with something but brings nothing to a conclusion: we must wait for the Second Part it promises: perhaps with amendment it may succeed in winning the full measure of grace that is now denied it; and in the meantime do you, señor gossip, keep it shut up in your own quarters.'”

  The curate spares Cervantes' Galatea, noting its promise but incompleteness, and suggests waiting for a second part.

  This meta-fictional moment references Cervantes' own work and hints at the sequel to Don Quixote.