This excerpt from Miguel de Cervantes' "Don Quijote de La Mancha" describes a bleak and distressing scenario where the protagonist experiences harsh treatment. The imagery of being transported in a jumento and later in a cage represents the dehumanizing conditions he endures. His physical state is depicted as pitiable, characterized by his emaciation and loss of vitality, suggesting the toll that these experiences take on him both physically and emotionally.

The reference to the mother who does not recognize him highlights the profound estrangement and loss of identity he faces. This transformation into a shadow of his former self is compounded by the details of his suffering, symbolized by the mention of having spent a significant amount for a desperate return to a semblance of normalcy. The narrative evokes themes of struggle, alienation, and the tragic consequences of societal neglect.