When are students expected to read Don Quixote?

Question

At about a university level?
I'm in grade 11 and fought it hard to understand and keep an interest in it.
Do I need more reading practice?

Answer 1

The Quixote is hard to read as one long story... just pick out bits... I began when I was seven or eight... still not finished.. or maybe I have... never read it from beginning to end...

Any novel that has a guy still a pipe up the behind of a dog & blow it up like a balloon is a classic...

Happy New Year...

Answer 2

Never. Seriously, I made it all the way through college without ever being required to read Don Quixote.

It was written hundreds of years ago for people a different culture, so that might be why it's difficult for anyone to understand. Or the translation of it that you're reading might not be so good, especially if it is older. Check out different translations of it to see if that helps.

Answer 3

I've got to tell you, I was never required to read it, but decided to several years after college. I have been an avid lifelong reader, & I struggled through it. I was able to enjoy it, but it was not easy reading-- & I think there are several parts (I only read part 1, which was almost 500 pages!).
My recommendation is to make sure you feel comfortable reading Shakespeare & other writers who wrote in times, styles & in some ways languages different from modern English, then attempt it. & if you can't read it when you try, put it down and try again a few years later. I tried reading Wuthering Heights in 8th grade, couldn't keep the different generations straight, & gave up. In college we read it and I loved it. Don't worry if it takes you several years later to do it, or even if you never do-- not every author is well-liked, & maybe you simply won't like it. There are parts that are downright hysterical, but like I said, I wouldn't worry about it. & I CERTAINLY would say it's too advanced for high school.

Answer 4

You probably need a new perspective.
Don Quixote is excellent reading and can have a different interpretation by whoever reads it.
Think of yourself in Don's place and figure out what you would do when confronted by either a villain, a windmill or just plain life as seen by a dreamer.

Answer 5

It's a dog. I wouldn't bother. The real problem is the language of the time. The premise is such that it's actually defeatist in nature. You'd get a lot more out of Bill Shakespeare's ' Henry The Fourth ' Parts one and two. Just go slow. I'll bet Bill didn't write that, either. Big Controversy over that.

Answer 6

I was required to read in 10th or 11th grade in the orginial spainish text. Granted we had a lot of assistance from the teacher. Afterwards we were required to create something that depicted the story.
My suggestion (and I don't know if you'd be able to find it) is to look for Wishbone's version of the book (in either video or written form). If you don't know who/what Wishbone is, it's a show that used to be on PBS. Wishbone was a little Jack Russell Terrier that told the classics. (It helped me get through a many classics in high school)

Answer 7

I've taught high school English for seven years and I wouldn't recommend Don Quixote for most high school students...maybe a very high level honors senior. It should be reserved for collegiate study.

Answer 8

I read it in college in the original (read: old and complicated) Spanish. It was sort of dull then!

Answer 9

No, maybe 12th grade.