The Individuated Self: Cervantes and the Emergence of the Individual 0821403966

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by John G. Weiger

THE INDIVIDUATED SELF Cervantes and the Emergence of the Individual

THE INDIVIDUATED SELF Cervantes and the Emergence of the Individual by John G. Weiger Not only in Don Quixote but as well in his other works of fiction, epic, and drama, Cervantes con-

cerns himself with the varied means by which human beings emerge from their anonymous beginnings to forge a role for themselves as individuals.

Not to be confused with individualism,

the psychological and social processes of individuation are presented in Cervantes’ characters through diverse means. Like Don Quixote, most of the characters encounter experiences quite unlike what they had expected to find—yet they do find their niche, their individuality. These richly variegated kinds of experiences in the works of Cervantes which enable the individual characters to realize what is appropriate for them constitute the focus of The Individuated Self. This timely psychological approach particularly toward Don Quixote’s search for manhood, and the useful bibliography and notes will provide a valuable reference book in the classroom or for the scholar of Spanish literature. Frequent use of other referents, such as Shakespeare’s characters

and timeless metaphors of life and universal themes — the Golden Age, ubi sunt, the worldas-a-stage, the Dance of Death—place Cervantes’ works in a context meaningful for the scholar of English and world literature as well. “No windmills,” says the author. “I shall instead try to focus on (the characters’) reality (and)

humanity. . .” The study accordingly transcends literary boundaries while basing its analysis on the literary creations and linguistic artistry of Cervantes. John G. Weiger is Professor of Romance Languages at the University of Vermont. \

NORTH CAROLINA 3 STATE BOARD OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES LIBRARIES ‘e COMMUNITY COLLEGE TECHNICAL ASHEVILLE-BUNCOMBE

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THE

INDIVIDUATED

SELF

THE

INDIVIDUATED Cervantes and the Emergence of the Individual

by

John G. Weiger

Ohio University Press Athens, Ohio

SELF

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Weiger, John G The individuated self.

1. Cervantes Saavedra, Miguel de, 1547-1616— Knowledge—Psychology. 2. Cervantes Saavedra, Miguel de, 1547-1616—Characters.

PQ6358.P7W4 ISBN 0-8214-0396-6

I. Title.

863’.3

78-13019

©1979 by John G. Weiger Printed in the United States of America

All rights reserved

For MARK

my son, but as well

hijo de sus obras

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