Article 6 – KayLee Kuehl – Lazariilo De Tormes – 10/12/16

1.) A very prominent theme in Lazarillo is food—getting it, keeping it, and losing it. What does this tell us about the life of the poor in sixteenth-century Spain?
During this time period, it’s safe to assume that the poor lived terribly. From the story of Lazarillo, those who were misfortune became wanderers of the city, sleeping on the streets and thieving for items de-valued to others who were better off. Food over gold and silver was the most prized necessities for the poor. It was a precious commodity, extremely scarce but hungrily sought for more than anything else—its presence having the ability to seal or doom an individual’s fate. The blind man in this tale kept what little food he had secured in something similar to a knapsack, padlocked …show more content…
From the beginning of the story, Lazarillo describes the man as a wicked and villainous trickster (although it’s obvious his loneliness and naivety prevents him from leaving). The blind man continuously proves Lazarillo’s opinions through the way he treats him: smacking his head against a stone sculpture, refusing to share respectable quantities of his food, and then assaulting the boy upon discovery of righteous deceit. Yet, despite the hideous way he treats him, the blind man has never attempted to rid himself of Lazarillo. Even after he stole his food and wine, the blind man tried to reconcile and continue their partnership. When looking at it this way, it’s clear that Lazarillo’s presence is of value to the blind man’s, for reasons such as labor, bait, or (even with his selfish nature), the simple comfort of company. Lazarillo, on the other hand, absolutely despises the blind man. Although it’s true he’s learned the art of thievery from him, there is no other reason or way he can extract any benefit. This, is what later leads to the blind man’s death by the end of the