Don Quixote Volume 2, Chapter 3

While waiting for Carrasco to arrive, Don Quijote worries about how he has been depicted in the book. He is concerned about the author being a Moor, since they are notorious for being dishonest. Finally, Carrasco and Sancho arrive. Samson Carrasco is twenty-four years old and has a reputation as a wit -- "a friend of well-turned phrases and well-pulled legs" (pg. 375). Upon seeing Don Quijote, he gets down on his knees and asks to kiss his hands and says:

"Blessings on Sidi Hamid Benengeli ...and...on the inquiring mind responsible for translating that history from Arabic into our native Castillian, for the universal entertainment of all peoples." Volume 2, Chapter 3, pg. 375

Don Quijote tells him to rise and Samson tells him that more than 12,000 copies of the book are in print. He eases Don Quijote's mind by assuring him that both the historian and the translator have diligently depicted him as gallant, virtuous and noble. Sancho asks if Rocinante's day of the randy mood is mentioned. Carrasco assures him that the author left nothing out. The graduate adds that people are big fans of Sancho's dialogue; though, they feel he is a little too naive when he believes he will be governor of an island one day. Sancho and Don Quijote staunchly defend this foray into the squire's delusion. Sancho says that the governors that he has seen cannot compare with himself!

Topic Tracking: Grandiosity 23

Carrasco mentions that one of the book's problems is the inclusion of a short story -- "The Story of the Man Who Couldn't Keep from Prying" -- that though well told, just doesn't seem to belong. Don Quijote adds that he doesn't understand why the author added additional stories to the book since surely Don Quijote easily supplied enough plot to fill a book. Carrasco says that since the book is so easy to read and can be understood by all types of people, people have started calling any old horse they see Rocinante. Continuing in his praise, he adds that there is nothing offensive in the whole book!

Topic Tracking: Metafiction 10

However, people have wondered about the mystery of the donkey; which, is referred to as stolen, (but the reader is not told how) and then it later appears. Also, they want to know what Sancho did with the hundred gold pieces found in the suitcase. Sancho says he'll explain it all after he's had dinner at home with his wife. Carrasco stays and dines with Don Quijote.