WORKSHEET # 3 FOR HONORS 211 LECTURES

LECTURER(S): James Brophy

TEXT(S): Lazarillo de Tormes

To enhance your knowledge & background of the texts in HON 211, you are responsible for
attending the in-person lectures on Thursdays at 3:30 p.m. (or watching the weekly lecture
videos, if permitted) & submitting a Worksheet for 10 of the lectures as a hard copy in
class, beginning with the first lecture in Week 1 on Writers & Writing.

The Worksheets are each worth 10 points, & together they will count for 30% of your overall
grade in the course. Submit completed worksheets as typed hard copies in class on the
assigned due date.

MAKE SURE YOU INDICATE WHICH LECTURE WORKSHEET # YOU ARE SUBMITTING. SAVE
THIS TEMPLATE, so you can reuse it for all ten lecture worksheet submissions.

1. List FIVE major points made by the lecturer(s):

a. This idea of a rising middle class allowed for these large imbalances
within societies to begin to close. Even though it was the very
beginning, people with money to spend were able to buy books for both
literature and leisure. They divulged into the lives of others
through books, learning what a beggar's life is like. There was this
big shift towards the city. People were able to move their social
class, and even fake it.
b. There are many voices in the context of writing. In Lazarillo, we
hear the first person/ His social voice speaks to what is happening
socially. He speaks to the authority, the Church, social satire, but
he speaks for the people, picaro. Through this social voice, Lazaro
isn’t talking about philosophy, he is talking on principles, he
proves he is not ideal, there is no moralization, he is messy,
authentic.
c. This narrator, Lazaro, is talking to an authoritative figure, but who
is he? We are never told who this person is, whether they are a King,
a towns leader, or even just an authoritative figure within Lazaros
life.
d. Lazarillo continues to be important due to the fact that, “a true
story is always valuable”. Now, whether or not this story is true, it
did allow for a real social explanation of the times. There are
situational attitudes and dispositions favored over philosophical
absolutes. This story becomes more real as it shifts the focus away
from morals, it choses realisticness, complexity. He chooses to talk
about the struggles within his own relationships and the aspects of
society, that being whether or not stealing is okay for some, how a
 cheating parent can affect trust and a relationship.
e. This reading connects to The Prince in my aspects. There is this
notion that if you are born into wealth, that wealth can disappear,
but if you are able to create your own wealth due to intelligence,
you shall be rich for the rest of your life, this sums up The Prince
in a very small summary. The Prince cares about the conditions of
the world and how to succeed, sharing a similar ideology.

2. How effective was the lecturer(s) in conveying significant ideas and commentary on the
text(s)? Be specific in 4-5 detailed sentences.

Prof. Brophy was very enthusiastic throughout the lecture. He was able to explore
a lot of “hidden” topics, like the linkage between Lazarillo de Tormes and The
Prince. When looking at the many voices of Lazaro, it was a compelling
observation. Lazaros grammatical voice had such a large impact on how this book
was read, and it continues to raise so many questions about the author. We were
able to learn so much about his environment, it was so detailed, yet there were
so many people with the same atmosphere, that he was able to connect with so many
people. This was such an immense realization as to how the people in such a
challenging society were able to continue “their” lives.

3. How has your attitude toward the text(s) changed (positively or negatively) after
viewing this lecture? (4-5 detailed sentences)

This lecture didn’t shape my attitude towards the text. It was easier to
understand further when looking at the different types of voices Lazaro had
throughout the text. I think a lot of last week's lecture bled into this lecture;
it was hard not to think about what was happening socially after learning about
the Inquisition left such a permanent mark on so many people. It was such a
violent time, and even though Lazarillo’s story wasn’t THAT violent, he was
surrounded by such a toxic atmosphere.

4. What is the importance of this text in the greater context of the HON Civilization
sequence? (4-5 detailed sentences)

This lecture talked upon the societal response and importance of Lazarillo de
Tormes. People were able to connect to the realness, they were able to read
something that was almost revolutionary, it was exposing. Throughout the
sequence, we started off with the importance and foundations that religion was
able to place within society, we are now watching as it starts to crumble and
fall upon people. In just one book we are able to see how much the times were
changing when Lazaro was growing up, we saw him struggle in the lower class, but
as others started to pull themselves out of that class, we got to watch him do it
as well, people were able to climb societally.