The Social Context of Servant-Leadership Assessments

Authors

Daniel Stewart, Gonzaga University
Richard Martin, Gonzaga UniversityFollow

Abstract

In Cervantes' literary classic Don Quixote, there is a remarkable scene in which Quixote describes the beauty of Dulcinea (the object of his passion) to his hapless squire Sancho Panza. Dulcinea's true identity is revealed to Panza, who recognizes her as a peasant girl from a neighboring village. Upon learning the young woman's identity, Panza attempts to persuade Quixote that Dulcinea (whose real name is Aldonza Lorenzo) is, in reality, quite plain and boorish. Quixote, who has never actually seen Dulcinea, rebuts Panza's expose by boldly proclaiming, "I picture her in my imagination as I would have her be" (Cervantes, 1605). Quixote's moving declaration of faith reminds us that beauty is not necessarily a property of the object under judgment, but rather a conviction of the observer.

Recommended Citation

Stewart, Daniel and Martin, Richard (2008) "The Social Context of Servant-Leadership Assessments," International Journal of Servant-Leadership: Vol. 4, Article 20.
DOI: 10.33972/ijsl.249
Available at: https://repository.gonzaga.edu/ijsl/vol4/iss1/20

Copyright Information

Copyright 2008 The author(s). All Rights reserved