Quixote is the main character in a novel written by Miguel de Cervantes, a Spanish author who lived from 1547 to 1616. Cervantes wrote the story in two parts. One was published in 1605; the second appeared shortly after his death.
Quixote has this irrepressible optimism about everyone and everything he sees. He rejects the idea of a "bad" person and insists there is good in everyone.
This perspective is especially vivid in Man of La Mancha, the musical adaptation of the Don Quixote story. In this stage version, Cervantes is in prison and recreates the Quixote story using those imprisoned with him.
The prisoners also play a cynical audience who loudly express doubts about Don Quixote's optimism. They initially dismiss Quixote as a hopeless romantic who doesn't understand human nature. At times, they wonder about his sanity.
But as the story unfolds, some of the cynicism melts. By the end of the play, Quxote has a group of fellow believers.
I've seen Man of La Mancha several times over the years. But I never made a connection to social work until I saw a production last year at Theatre Cedar Rapids.
One thing I think the story is emphasizing is the importance of focusing on possibilities rather than on the limitations. Isn't that what social work calls a strengths perspective? This perspective can have a profound influence on individuals, families and communities. Bill Sackter's life is one notable example of this. It got me thinking of "Quixotes" in the lives of people I know. For example, wasn't Barry Morrow the Quixote in Bill's life?
A second message from the story is that there will always be people around who will doubt the wisdom of a strengths approach. They are likely to view a "Quixote" as someone who's not very realistic about the human condition. Don Quixote is ridiculed as a silly dreamer for his insistence in seeing the potential in each person. His response: Each of us has a choice, his choice is to focus on a person's strengths and possibilities.
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