The Life of Lazarillo de Tormes · Chapter
Sixth Master explained
Lazaro takes service with a painter of tumbrels, grinding colors and suffering many hardships.
What happens
Lazaro takes service with a painter of tumbrels, grinding colors and suffering many hardships. As he grows older, he becomes a servant to a chaplain, who gives him a donkey, jars, and a whip to carry water for the city. This marks his first step toward a decent life, as he earns thirty maravedis daily for his master and keeps the excess on Saturdays. Over four years, he saves enough to dress respectably and eventually leaves the chaplain's service to seek a better occupation.
Themes in this chapter
Survival and Ingenuity
Lazaro uses his wits and hard work to save money and improve his circumstances, marking his first step toward a decent life.
Social Class and Mobility
Lazaro's ability to dress as a respectable man and leave his occupation demonstrates a modest rise in social status.
Characters to notice
- Lazarillo de Tormes
Lazaro takes service with a painter and then a chaplain, learning to carry water and eventually saving enough to dress respectably.
- The Chaplain
The chaplain employs Lazaro to carry water, giving him a donkey, jars, and a whip, and allows him to keep profits beyond thirty maravedis a day.
Key passages
“This was the first step I ascended, to reach a decent life.”
This was the first time I moved up in the world and began to live respectably.
Lazaro reflects on his progress from poverty to a more stable existence.
“I went on so well that at the end of four years I had put something by, and was able to dress myself very well.”
I did so well that after four years I had saved some money and could afford good clothes.
Lazaro's savings allow him to improve his appearance and social standing.