Beliefs and Ideals in Monsignor Quixote

Literary works classified as satire often take everyday experiences, and exaggerate the situations surrounding them to create humour and further develop characters. In this genre, however, social commentary is nearly always present. The author generally seeks to express views, or opinions on the behaviour of people in society. Graham Greene successfully accomplishes this task in his novel Monsignor Quixote. In this book, Greene explores the concepts of beliefs and ideals through the interaction of his main characters. The story revolves around the misadventures of two unlikely allies - Monsignor Quixote, a Catholic priest, and his friend Sancho, the Communist ex-mayor of El Toboso. This juxtapositioning of ideologies, seems destined to instill conflict between the two, but contrarily it creates an environment where Greene can easily express his opinions on aspects of faith. Monsignor Quixote is a novel that develops many ideas regarding beliefs and ideals. It shows how beliefs can be a...