Man of La Mancha

Impossible is Nothing Is it possible for people to change, or more significantly, is it possible for a person to be reborn? The process of change is one which brings with it many conflicts both internally and externally, all in all, it is a very lengthy and demanding process. To change a person's beliefs, values and basic underlying core may seem like a mere impossibility, but what the play, "The Man of La Mancha" shows us, is that it can be done. This fascinating play brings up numerous themes and messages and one of the most prevalent ones is that nothing is impossible, especially with regards to change. It is seen that the impact of Don Quixote's idealism on many character's lives, most notably Aldonza's is extremely potent. In a sense, it is seen that Don Quixote is able to take a used piece of trash and recycle it into a brand new valuable object, he is able to make something out of nothing. Don Quixote and his unorthodox idealistic ways is the catalyst which sparks a profound transformation in Aldonza's life which drastically changes her outlooks and philosophies, ultimately changing her into Dulcinea. In the play it is initially seen that Aldonza lives a cold and meaningless life in which she is shown no respect by the prisoners and also sadly has no respect and dignity for herself. Every day of her life, Aldonza is heckled and teased by the prisoners which makes her have no trust or love for men. Aldonza has become the whore of the prison and the prisoners do not even view her as a human but look at her as an object to fulfill their sexual desires. "I've got a nice thick bed of hay in the stable."(Wasserman 18) After seeing Aldonza, Pedro greets her by telling her he has a thick bed of hay in the stable, he does not greet her by saying 'hello' or 'how are you?' as he perceives her as nothing more than just an object. The continuous heckles and provocation that Aldonza faces by the prisoners makes her hate all men. She views all men as the same thing