There are many works that stand out in Spanish literature. Despite being by an unknown author, one of the most famous and studied is "El Lazarillo de Tormes". Without a doubt, it is a remarkable masterpiece in Iberian culture. Unfortunately, due to lack of time or means, not everyone has been lucky enough to be able to read it. That is why we are going to talk about the Lazarillo de Tormes, in summary.
In this article we will explain what this novel is about and we will list all the masters that its protagonist goes through, highlighting the end that it has. Also, We will comment on the purpose of the book “El Lazarillo de Tormes”. However, I recommend that you read the entire novel, as it is well worth it.
Summary of the novel “El Lazarillo de Tormes”
We will start by summarizing the book known as “El lazarillo de Tormes”. If you haven't read it yet and you don't want any spoiler, it is best that you leave this article for after reading. As some of you already know, this work is a picaresque novel that was written by an unknown author in the middle of the XNUMXth century.
This book narrates the life of Lázaro, an initially innocent boy, but who, in order to survive in this world, ends up becoming a rogue. The protagonist's mother forces him to beg, and thus begin his adventures. Moved by hunger and thirst, Lázaro decides to look for a master. Throughout the entire novel, he goes through various masters who mistreat him, and each time he has to figure out how to move on.
The masters of Lazarus
As we have mentioned before, There are many masters through which the protagonist of this novel passes. Below we will list them all to get a general idea of the work:
- The blind: Lazarus' first master is a blind man. In order to eat and drink more, the boy uses various tricks, taking advantage of his master's lack of vision. This, after realizing the deception, punishes the protagonist with blows until he ends up leaving.
- The Cleric: He finds Lázaro while he was begging on the street. The cleric has an old chest in which he keeps water, rice and bread. The boy uses his cunning to make a copy of the key and be able to get food from there. When the cleric realizes this, Lázaro convinces him that the bread and rice are eaten by mice, since the ark is full of holes. However, this farce does not last long and he leaves the cleric.
- The squire: In the city of Toledo, Lázaro finds a new master. This time he is a squire who appears to be rich. Thinking that he would not lack for anything, the protagonist accompanies him until he realizes that his new master is sunk in misery. The day the squire can no longer pay the rent, Lázaro leaves.
- The Friar of Mercy: The friar loves to walk, and after long walks, Lázaro's shoes end up breaking. Faced with this situation, his new master buys him new ones. Later, the protagonist, tired of walking so much, leaves him.
- The boulder: Despite being a primary trade at that time, this buldero is nothing more than a swindler who is in cahoots with the sheriff. When Lázaro realizes what kind of person his new master is, he decides to leave.
- The Chaplain: The chaplain gives the protagonist a donkey and water to sell in town. He finally gets a paid job. But after raising enough money, he buys new clothes and leaves the chaplain.
What was the end of lazarillo?
After so many adventures in which Lázaro has had to manage to move on, how does this story end for him? Well, he finally gets an honorable job that also allows him to live well as a town crier in Toledo. He also gets a wife: A servant of the archpriest of San Salvador. Despite the rumors that exist about an intimate relationship between the archpriest and the maid, the protagonist turns a deaf ear and decides to have a happy life with his wife. So that, the novel ends with a man who, after many experiences, manages to achieve stability in his life.
What is the fundamental purpose of the work “El Lazarillo de Tormes”?
Apart from the summary of Lazarillo de Tormes, it is also important to understand the meaning that this literary work conveys. The main theme in this novel is, without a doubt, false morality. Through the work, the author manages to denounce the hypocrisy and false honor of the Spanish society of that time.
During the reading we clearly see that life is represented from a rather crude point of view. People are not honest at any time, rather the opposite: In order to survive, they have to be rogue. From all this corrupt society, no one is saved: neither the cleric, nor those who are apparently rich, nor the most humble person. In the end, all the masters that Lázaro passes through have a selfish attitude and act without scruples. These traits are perfectly camouflaged with your image and social status. In addition, other fundamental issues are also touched upon, such as religion or hunger.
In the text it is very clear that it is not necessary to be virtuous, faking it is enough. So that, the novel revolves around the world of appearances and false morality. Therefore it is not surprising that, in his time, the sale and circulation of the book were prohibited by the very Inquisition.
I hope you liked the summary of Lazarillo de Tormes and encouraged you to read the complete work. It is a national treasure that is part of our culture and that we should preserve. Personally, I really liked this novel and I recommend reading it at least once in your life.