Lazarillo de Tormes: Analysis of the Picaresque Masterpiece

Structure of the Novel

The structure of the novel consists of a prologue and is organized into seven chapters. The story is told in the first person, narrating the life of Lázaro González Pérez, born in Salamanca near the River Tormes. Born into a poor family and left fatherless, his mother placed him in the service of a blind man. The stratagems Lázaro learned beside him were useful for his survival and eventual departure.

The Journey Through Seven Masters

Lázaro's life is defined by the various masters he serves:

• The Cleric: His second master was a selfish cleric who withheld food. Lázaro used his wits to steal food without the cleric noticing, but once discovered, he lost his position.
• The Hidalgo: He then served a squire, which worsened his situation. Lázaro had to seek food for both himself and his master. Despite this, he sympathized with him, though the relationship ended when the gentleman suddenly fled the city.
• The Friar: His fourth master was a Mercedarian friar. Lázaro notes that the friar was not fond of convent life or prayer and exhibited cruel vices, leading Lázaro to abandon him.
• The Pardoner: His fifth master was a seller of indulgences. Lázaro attended as a spectator to his elaborate scams, realizing the terrible tricks used to deceive people. During this time, Lázaro enjoyed some tranquility and money, making his life less painful.

Independence and the Final Paradox

Successive chapters explain Lázaro's relations with later masters, including a chaplain, a tambourine painter, a constable, and an archpriest. He eventually achieves independence and marriage due to his position as a town crier. However, a hidden truth exists: his wife maintains a relationship with the Archpriest. Although he is not misled, Lázaro pretends to be deaf to the rumors, choosing to feign happiness to maintain his social standing, as the end of the work suggests.

Core Themes and Social Critique

The novel addresses moral themes, attacking the false sense of honor and the hypocrisy of the era. It calls human dignity into question by providing a realistic view of society at the time. Because of these critiques, it is believed the author may have been a converted Jew, and the book was eventually prohibited by the Inquisition. Key themes include:

• The picaresque genre and the life of the petty rogue.
• Greed and corruption within the clergy.
• False piety and false pretenses.
• The struggle of orphans and the reality of hunger.