Lazarillo de Tormes is a seminal work of Spanish literature, first published anonymously in 1554 Widely regarded as the first picaresque novel, Lazarillo is a novella which follows the journey of its titular protagonist, a young boy named Lazaro de Tormes, as he grows into adulthood. The story is told through the lens of Lazaro's travels, as he moves from place to place and encounters various people, who represent the full range of Spanish society from the 16th century.
The novel is widely acclaimed for its depiction of life during this period, and has often been studied as a way to understand Spanish life and culture in the 16th century. Essay topics related to Lazarillo de Tormes could explore issues such as the role of religion and morality in society, the representation of class, or Lazaro's growth as a character and his development over the course of the novel. Below are five essay topics related to Lazarillo de Tormes:
1. How does religion and morality shape the morality of characters in Lazarillo de Tormes?
2. How does Lazarillo de Tormes depict class differences and their implications for society?
3. How does the picaresque protagonist, Lazaro, experience and react to the world around him?
4. What role does gender play in the novel and how do characters express and understand their gender identities?
5. How does Lazarillo de Tormes comment on human nature and the power of narrative?