If Cervantes took such care to gather and propagate sound doctrine concerning society and character, he took equally great pains with his art. His style was deliberately formed for his purpose of honest entertainment, and it has the same ingredients when it succeeds as when it fails. There is overwhelming evidence of care and planning, despite the ebb and flow to be noted in his output. Few writers can have worked harder than Cervantes did in his fashion, and we may decidedly reject the notion of accident or wayward inspiration in his moment of triumph. There is consistency and purpose in his art as in his thought. - The Theme.