The Life and Adventures of Lazarillo de Tormes: A Picaresque Novel
The Life and Adventures of Lazarillo de Tormes
Introduction
Lazarillo de Tormes, a cornerstone of Spanish literature, is considered a pioneering work in the picaresque novel subgenre. These narratives typically follow a pseudo-autobiographical format, tracing the origins and misadventures of a character. Lazarillo, the protagonist, embodies the picaresque spirit with his strong desire to improve his social standing.
Date and Authorship
The earliest surviving editions of Lazarillo de Tormes date back to 1554. It is believed that the original edition predates these by one or two years, placing the composition of the book around 1540.
Sources and Influences
Several works influenced the themes and structure of Lazarillo de Tormes:
- The Golden Ass by Apuleius: This work’s influence is evident in the novel’s adventurous structure and the nature of Lazarillo’s journey through various masters.
- Fourth Book of the Valiant Knight Rinaldo de Montalban: This adaptation of Teofilo Folengo’s poem, written in Italian, features a similar autobiographical narrative style and a low-born protagonist.
- Process Letters of Love by Juan de Segura: This sentimental novel contributed the epistolary model, prominent during the humanist period.
- Folktales: While the influence of oral traditions is acknowledged, it’s important to consider the potential learned background of the author and the significance of written sources.
Lazarillo’s Life: A Three-Part Structure
Lazarillo’s life unfolds in three modules, representing his childhood, adolescence, and youth:
- Childhood (Blind Man, Cleric, Squire): Lazarillo learns to survive through cunning and wit, serving a blind man, a cleric, and a squire. Hunger is a recurring theme in this module.
- Adolescence (Monk, Pardoner, Friar): Lazarillo navigates new social situations, experiencing a sexual awakening and further developing his deceptive skills.
- Youth (Chaplain, Sheriff, Town Crier): Lazarillo finally achieves a stable occupation and a semblance of social standing through marriage and a home. Unlike other protagonists of the time, Lazarillo’s character is shaped by his experiences and hardships.
Notably, the typical romantic elements present in other Renaissance narratives are absent in Lazarillo de Tormes. The story unfolds in an urban setting, which facilitates Lazarillo’s irregular conduct.
Narrative Structure and Discourse
Lazarillo de Tormes is structured as a letter or epistle written by the protagonist to an unnamed recipient, referred to as “Vuestra Merced.” This monologue contrasts with the dialogue-driven narratives of pastoral novels. Lazarillo recounts his past to explain his present circumstances, specifically a love triangle involving himself, the Archpriest of San Salvador, and the Archpriest’s wife.
Time is handled strategically in the narrative, with varying emphasis on different periods of Lazarillo’s life. The narrator selects events relevant to his explanation of the “case.” The narrative incorporates referential, descriptive, and dramatic discourse, with a notable use of evaluative and universal discourse.
Expressive Resources and Irony
The narrative employs humor, puns, antithesis, and diminutives for ironic effect. Irony is directed at Lazarillo himself, his masters, and even the author. For example, Lazarillo’s final position as a town crier and his marriage are presented ironically, questioning his supposed “good fortune.”
Themes
Two central themes in Lazarillo de Tormes are honor and religion:
- Honor: Honor, a crucial concept in the period, depended on social perception. The novel begins and ends with a case of honor, and the theme is particularly prominent in the third treatise, embodied by the figure of the squire.
- Religion: Five of Lazarillo’s masters are members of the ecclesiastical establishment, mostly from its lower ranks. The novel critiques the exploitation of the poor by a corrupt and ignorant clergy.