Media type book (hardcover) Originally published 1931 Published in The Great Wall of China | Publication date 1931 Published in english 1933 | |
Original title "Die Wahrheit über Sancho Pansa" | ||
"The Truth about Sancho Panza" (German: "Die Wahrheit über Sancho Pansa") is a short story by Franz Kafka. It was not published until 1931, seven years after his death. Max Brod selected stories and published them in the collection Beim Bau der Chinesischen Mauer. The first English translation by Willa and Edwin Muir was published by Martin Secker in London in 1933. It appeared in The Great Wall of China. Stories and Reflections (New York City: Schocken Books, 1946).
A parable rather than a story, the short piece centers on the role of Sancho Panza, a principal character in Don Quixote. The narrator theorizes that Panza was a well of tales, lore and wisdom, as well as having a particular demon to exorcise. While using up these witticisms, Panza succeeded in ridding himself of stories and tales on his mind, fed them to Quixote, and was thus able to live a full life without the burden.
Essentially, the tale views Panza as a source of inspiration, the real author, and Quixote as a creation.