Lazarillo de Tormes: Analysis of Authorship, Themes and Style

Authorship and Dating

There are three editions of Lazarillo de Tormes dating back to 1554. The authorship remains anonymous, though literary criticism often links the work to the social group of Erasmus due to its sharp social satire and critique of the Church.

Narrative Structure

The work is written as an autobiography in which the protagonist recounts his life from childhood to adulthood through a retrospective lens. It takes the form of a letter addressed to "Your Worship," responding to rumors regarding the relationship between Lázaro's wife and the Archpriest of San Salvador. Lázaro writes to defend his wife's morality while explaining his difficult past, illustrating that after his struggles, he has finally achieved social stability.

The Structure of the Work

• Prologue: Sets the stage for the narrative.
• Seven Treatises: Unequal in length, these chapters detail the various masters Lázaro served. The first three are the most extensive, highlighting his increasing hunger and struggle for survival.

Character Analysis

A unique feature of the book is its realism, which recreates the misery of the era and reflects diverse human archetypes.

The Protagonist

Lázaro is a character who evolves significantly. He begins as a naive child who learns to navigate a hostile reality, eventually developing the skills necessary to survive adversity and becoming a quintessential antihero.

Supporting Characters

The supporting cast serves to highlight the harsh reality of the time:

• The Blind Man: Lázaro's first master, who teaches him the harsh lessons of life.
• The Squire: Represents the concept of honor and the life of appearances.
• The Sheriff: Reflects the corruption within the justice system.
• The Clergy: The primary target of the book's harsh social criticism.

Themes and Style

The central theme is social climbing, which often requires a compromise of moral integrity. The narrative style utilizes colloquial language, rich in sayings and idioms, which lends credibility to the protagonist as an ordinary, uneducated person. However, the prose occasionally shifts to a more complex register, incorporating learned vocabulary and sophisticated rhetorical figures.