This text is essentially a heretic Spanish novella which was released anonymously. It falls under the picaresque genre and was published in 1554. Lazarillo de Tormes has much significance due to its founding of the picaresque which together a story in which the experiences of the protagonist both entertain the reader and send a social message. The Spanish crown had banned this work due to its heretic content.
Lazaro is the protagonist of the story, a boy whose stepfather faces the charge of stealing; this circumstance leads to him becoming an apprentice to a blind beggar. It is due to his experiences as an apprentice that he develops cunning and learns to follow his stepfather's footsteps.
