"El Lazarillo de Tormes" is considered one of the foundational texts of the picaresque genre, which tells the story of a rogue or vagabond who navigates a corrupt and often cruel society. The novel's use of the first-person narrative voice, Lazarillo's autobiographical account, creates a sense of immediacy and intimacy, drawing the reader into the world of the story. The text's episodic structure, consisting of a series of vignettes and encounters, allows for a nuanced exploration of themes such as poverty, hunger, and social inequality.