The Life of Lazarillo de Tormes His Fortunes

The Life of Lazarillo de Tormes: His Fortunes & His Adversities

Lazarillo de Tormes • Published anonymously in 1554. • Was banned by the Spanish Crown • Social Climate of Spain – strong trend toward racial and religious prejudice – emphasis placed on appearances

Lazarillo de Tormes • Created a literary genre: the picaresque novel (rogue or rascal) – Huckleberry Finn • The main character exposes injustice while entertaining the reader Francisco de Goya, (anterior a 1812) • Cervantes actually mentions this work in Don Quixote de la Mancha

Lazarillo de Tormes • The author shows us the various levels of society as the main character changes jobs. • This work is unusual because it depicts a pauper and a thief and not nobility or “high-born” characters.

Lazarillo de Tormes • It’s also unusual because it treats the main character as a an child and not a “small adult. ” • It gives us a look at the “domestic” poor. • Although it employs stereotypes, it treats topics such as racial injustice and interracial relationships.

Lazarillo de Tormes • The main character starts out as an innocent. • Society corrupts him. • Shows us a view from the “underbelly” of society.

Lazarillo de Tormes This story takes place in locations all around Spain, starting in Salamanca. The stone bull statue that Lazaro mentions in the first chapter. Bridge over the River Tormes Salamanca, Spain (dates back to Roman times)

Lazarillo de Tormes • Lazarillo attacks the appearance of the church and it’s hypocrisy – but not its beliefs. • Four of his seven masters served the church. • Each successive masters rises up the social scale. Statue near the bridge over the River Tormes in Salamanca, Spain.

Lazarillo de Tormes You need to keep track of: • • • Lazarillo’s masters (by their jobs) What happens with each How he leaves to go to the next Elements / examples of satire How hunger is the driving force

Lazarillo de Tormes LAZARO’S MASTERS 1: 2: 3: 4: 5: 6: 7: Blind Man Priest Squire Friar Pardoner Chaplain Constable

Lazarillo de Tormes • Also keep in mind the idea of appearance versus reality. • Almost nothing is what it seems in this story. • Watch for how this story is critical of the church, social customs, and society of the day.