Don Quixote · Chapter
Of the shrewd and droll conversation that passed between Sancho Panza and his wife Teresa Panza, and other matters worthy of being duly recorded explained
Sancho Panza returns home in high spirits and tells his wife Teresa of his decision to accompany Don Quixote on a third sally, hoping to gain a governorship.
What happens
Sancho Panza returns home in high spirits and tells his wife Teresa of his decision to accompany Don Quixote on a third sally, hoping to gain a governorship. Teresa argues against his ambitions, preferring that their daughter Mari-Sancha marry within their own station rather than be raised to a countess. Sancho insists on pursuing the governorship and a high match for their daughter, leading to a spirited debate about social mobility and contentment.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Identity
The entire conversation revolves around whether Sanchica should marry above her station, with Teresa arguing for equality and Sancho for advancement, illustrating the theme of social mobility and identity.
Chivalry and Idealism
Sancho's idealistic pursuit of a governorship mirrors Don Quixote's chivalric ambitions, showing how idealism extends even to Sancho's practical dreams.
Characters to notice
- Sancho Panza
Sancho is gleeful about returning to Don Quixote's service, driven by hope of a governorship and financial gain, but conflicted about leaving his family.
- Teresa Panza
Teresa is practical and cautious, advocating for their daughter to marry an equal and warning against the dangers of social climbing.
- Sanchica
Mari-Sancha is the daughter whose marriage prospects are debated; Teresa fears she will be unhappy if raised above her station.
- Don Quixote
Though not present in the conversation, he is the master Sancho plans to rejoin for a third sally.
Key passages
“the only thing that has any existence is what we see before us; and if this person whom fortune has raised from his original lowly state to his present height of prosperity, be well bred, generous, courteous to all, without seeking to vie with those whose nobility is of ancient date, depend upon it, Teresa, no one will remember what he was, and everyone will respect what he is”
Sancho argues that if a person rises from poverty to wealth and behaves well, people will forget his humble origins and respect his current status.
Sancho uses this reasoning to justify his desire for a governorship and a high marriage for his daughter.
“a daughter looks better ill married than well whored”
Teresa says it is better for a daughter to be poorly married than to be a well-kept mistress.
Teresa uses a blunt proverb to express her preference for a respectable, if modest, marriage over a dishonorable but comfortable arrangement.
“marry her to her equal, that is the safest plan; for if you put her out of wooden clogs into high-heeled shoes, out of her grey flannel petticoat into hoops and silk gowns, out of the plain 'Marica' and 'thou,' into 'Doña So-and-so' and 'my lady,' the girl won't know where she is”
Teresa warns that elevating their daughter to a higher social class will confuse her and lead to embarrassing mistakes.
This highlights the theme of social class and identity, as Teresa fears the loss of their daughter's sense of self.