Fernández de Lizardi and His Critics

Author(s): J. R. Spell
Source: Hispania , May, 1928, Vol. 11, No. 3 (May, 1928), pp. 233-245
Published by: American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese

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 FERNANDEZ DE LIZARDI AND HIS CRITICS
Although the century since the death of Fernandez de Lizardi has
seen one of his novels, El Periquillo Sarniento, pass through many
editions and win for itself a permanent place in the history of
Spanish-American literature, still little is known of the writer as
seen by his contemporaries and by later critics.' And yet no single
figure in the history of Mexican literature better served as a targe
for the attacks of his compatriots. From the latter part of 1811,
when Lizardi first became a well-known figure in the Mexican capi-
tal, until his death in 1827 he was the center of many controversies
literary, political, and religious. Without taking a definite stand either
for or against the revolution, he incurred the enmity of both the
royalist and the insurgent factions; without aspiring to create litera
ture, he became the target for attacks on his style, language, plots,
and manner of publication; while insisting to the end that he was a
true Catholic, he brought down upon his unlucky head not only the
censure of clergy and laity, but was denounced before the Inquisition,
and subjected to the edict of excommunication. In spite of all the
attacks directed against him, Lizardi remained, except perhaps in one
instance, cool and undaunted, defiant of his enemies, and unswervin
in his purpose to bring about reforms in Mexico.
The contemporary critics of Lizardi fall into three general groups
The first, those who concerned themselves with his work from a
literary standpoint, were most active in the latter part of 1811 and
between 1817 and 1820; the second, those who differed with him on
political grounds, were numerous from 1812 to 1814, and from 1820
until the adoption of the constitution in 1824; and the third, thos
who objected to the views which he expressed regarding the church
won their greatest victory with the promulgation of the edict of ex
communication against him in 1822, Although this stigma was re-
moved late in 1823, he continued, until his death, to arouse enmity
by freely condemning the attitude of the high church officials on
many issues.
When Lizardi appeared on the literary horizon in 1811, he brought
down upon himself the condemnation of the critics of the day more

1 For specific references to the many articles concerning him, see J. R. Spell,
"Fernandez de Lizardi: a Bibliography," in The Hispanic American Historical
Review, VII, 490-507 (November, 1927).

2.33

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234 HISPANIA

by having his poems prin

streets of Mexico City fo
subject-matter. The leade
self "J. M. L." (probabl
nounced to the world in
Mexican capital, that Lizar
He also called attention
language, and the rhymes
but especially did he attac
ing of his poetry. Anothe
specifically criticizing one
one champion, "E. L. B.,"
was better than that in t
attempts at reform, and
demned for having his ve
up the gauntlet by declar
unworthy imitator of Qu
personal abuse.
Lizardi's replies to these
contented himself with as
was faulty; to "Mostaza" h
to criticize a poem by m
Lacunza became more abu
phlet, "Quien llama al toro
lished in El Diario a fable
selling them poems with
organ with "La abeja y el
mince words in ridiculing t
of hiding behind a pseud
1812, Lizardi and his crit
articles, but from then un
issued from the pen of
appeared upon the scene
cano, a periodical in which
issues. Why the controve
whether he was silenced b
open question.
In 1816 Lizardi returned t
of a novelist, not as the r
a censored press, there was

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 LIZARDI AND His CRITICS 235

Lizardi wanted to call to the attention of his r

a novel, much might be said. In disguising his
very successful, for only the fourth volume
barred from the press by the censors. Yet whi
was to effect reforms, he succeeded in delineat
life about him so clearly as to win for himself a p
of his country. El Periquillo Sarniento (1816)
Fdbulas (1817), La Quijotita y su Prima (18
Entretenidos, a collection containing some
(1819) ; while his own statement that Don Catr
approved by the censor in 1820 leaves small ro
of his work of a purely literary character was
With the re-establishment of the freedom of the
aside literary forms as an unwelcome mask, a
the pamphleteer.2
Even before the publication of El Periqui
critics of the day, Beristain de Souza, had seen
the real ability of Lizardi to portray life. In
mented on the similarities between the Mexican novel and Guzmdn
de Alfarache, and asserted that had Lizardi known more of men, and
his range of reading included better books, he might have earned for
himself the title of the Mexican Quevedo or at least a Torres Villa-
roel. No reply of Lizardi to Beristain is known, but to other critics
writing in 1818 and 1819 who criticized El Periquillo for its super-
abundance of proverbs, for picturing low life, and for the moralizing
tone of the entire work, Lizardi replied by justifying the presentation
of low life and vulgar incidents on the ground that this kind of litera-
ture served a useful purpose in tending to correct vice by ridicule and
satire; he pointed out, too, that Cervantes, in Don Quijote, moralized
at times, pictured the life of the rabble, and recounted low and vulgar
incidents; he denied, truthfully, that his novel contained only charac-
ters found among the rabble; and he admitted that as his purpose in
writing the book was to correct vice, he had consciously violated the
rule of art which required that the moralizing purpose of the author
be not too evident. In reply to a pamphlet, "Pie'nsalo bien," in which
he was referred to as a poor hack writer who supplied his meager

2 For a study of Lizardi's pictures of Mexican life in his novels, see J.R.
Spell, "Mexican Society as seen by Fernandez de Lizardi" in HISPANIA, Vol.
VIII, p. 145.

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236 HISPANIA

wants by writing useless

products, Lizardi replied
that issued for Lacunza's
la cornada." With this pu
over his literary works m
he departed definitely fr
criticisms of his literary w
time by his political ene
attack him.
The year 1812 is marked i
for the first time, of th
to turn his attention to p
Mexicano, the first num
so warm was his praise f
expose the corruptness and
ill will of the government
opposed to the new form
them by the Spanish libe
of the insurgents, who w
forms. Bustamante, a clo
am6ng the insurgents, in
blossomed under the free
other writers defended a
the response which met h
issue until, in his daring,
calling upon him to revok
were to be tried by a milit
number of El Pensador, a
later the right of the fr
thorities, and the arrest
The following seven mo
he during this time to re
letters to the viceroy, an
depositions he named oth
he against the edicts of t
mante, who had fled the
wailed that he alone was
trying to clear himself,
while Lizardi was still in
very day there appeared

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 LIZARDI AND His CRITICS 237

de Mexico," which was nothing more than a eul

pointed official who, while an army officer, had
in his persecution of the insurgents. This pamp
to win for Lizardi the good will of Calleja; at a
1813, by his order, Lizardi was liberated.
But the activity of the "Pensador" while he
not made friends for him. The insurgents, furi
which to them appeared an attempt to shield h
others, no longer regarded him as an ally. A co
sent to Morelos by sympathizers in the capital,

Este sugeto no es digno de la atenci6n de V.E.,

prendieron mostr6 su debilidad, y ha escrito var
este maldito Gobierno y perjudic6 a algunos individ

The royalist faction, which had always rega

doubtful eye, was now completely convinced t
careful watching. In justice to Lizardi, it shoul
while he was exposing the corruptness of the g
ceding the just cause of the insurgents, he had
approval of the methods employed by them.
Apparently unmoved by the loss of public fa
again, on his liberation, to plans for the contin
Mexicano, which appeared from September 2, 1
following year. Although in this periodical Liza
ration of the freedom of the press and rejoiced
the Inquisition, he turned his attention for th
improvements and social reforms. He satirized
comings of the Mexican people themselves; thei
their obsession for coaches, new styles, and for
complained that the parks were poorly kept, th
the cathedral was old-fashioned, and the decora
with the wealth of the country. Such acrimon
increased the ill will of both factions toward th
pamphlets and in articles in El Diario, his enem
credit and to ridicule his statements. A copy of
ber of El Pensador was sent to Morelos with this

Para que V.E. vea lo que nos injuria su autor, c

cemos desde estuvo preso la lltima vez, y quisieram
Oaxaca se le diera una sacudida por adulador.

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 238 HISPANIA

At length, sick at heart o

ally misinterpreting his m
which he lamented that t
ticles of his, regarded him
hated him, not because he
because he had urged tha
in the elections.
During 1815 and the first part of the following year, Lizardi is-
sued two periodicals: La Alacena de frioleras, and the Caxoncito de la
Alacena, in which, due to the return of absolutism, he had to limit
himself to social rather than political problems. Among the topics
treated were education, the relief of the poor, and the evils of bull-
fighting and gambling-two favorite amusements of the Mexican
people. So circumspect was he in his writing during this period that
only one number of the Alacena was barred from circulation by the
censors.

From 1816 until 1820 Lizardi was entirely oc

literary work and the criticisms it provoked, but o
ment of the constitutional form of government
other periodical, El Conductor Electrico, in which
striking articles in defense of the constitution as
attention. Dozens of pamphlets either approving or
work were addressed to him; to each, whether frie
seems to have replied.
Of the plans made by the canon Monteagudo an
bide which culminated in the declaration of the P
February 24, 1821, Lizardi seems to have had no pr
In "Chamorro y Dominquin" (March 1, 1821),
Mexico should be free from Spain; but in the same
the work of the revolutionary leaders, advised the
constitution, and hoped for an independence grant
Cortes. For this paper he suffered a second incarc
of short duration, for in the last days of May, or
left Mexico City to join the Iturbide forces, and
issued various pamphlets in favor of independe
returned to Mexico City on September 27, the
triumphant entry into the capital, and on the eightee
he issued "Cincuenta Preguntas del Pensador a qui

3 Pensador Mexicano, nos. 10-11.

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 LIZARDI AND His CRITICS 239

derlas," in which he urged, among other refo

deputies by direct popular vote. This measure
posed by Dr. J. E. Fernandez, to whom Lizardi
Bombazo por el Pensador."
Although busily occupied during 1822 in con
church, Lizardi wrote voluminously regarding
situation. In "El Sueiio del Pensador no vaya a
20), he pointed out the dangers that would result
be given to Ferdinand VII or to any other Bou
plan, which was favored by many, was frustr
popular and military demonstration on May 18
as emperor. The policy of this ruler, who, on ac
began to restrict the press and to play into th
astical authorities, was severely criticized by
Suefio del Pensador Mexicano." The churchmen and their adherents
resented his remarks and began to shower on him pamphlets that
were extremely personal and insulting in tone.
After the removal of Iturbide from the scene of action in May,
1823, there arose two political parties: the federalists and the cen-
tralists. To defend the former, Lizardi established another periodical,
El Hermano de Perico que cantaba la victoria, which was criticized
severely by two deputies, Florentino Martinez and Jose Maria de
Becerra. Aside from this, Lizardi continued to publish many pam-
phlets dealing with various subjects; those on religious reforms, es-
pecially, bringing down upon him the wrath of the critics. For one
pamphlet, "Si dura mds el Congreso, nos quedamos sin camisa," he
was arrested and imprisoned.
From this point on, it is impossible to follow the political contro-
versies in which the "Pensador" engaged without bringing in the
religious, for the two were so related that discussion of the one
involved the other. Lizardi's criticisms of the church began at a
much earlier period; even in 1812 he had called attention to abuses
within the church, and in 1813 he wrote a scathing article against the
Inquisition. His liberal views, quite at variance with those of the high
church officials, won early for him their enmity, and his boldness in
calling attention to the private life of many churchmen only increased
this feeling. Within a few days after the re-establishment of the
Inquisition in 1814, Joaquin Gavito, a priest, hastened to bring to
the attention of the inquisitors the article Lizardi had written the
previous year but, although the matter was investigated, Lizardi was

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 240 HISPANIA

neither imprisoned nor b

began to espouse the liber
became once more an obj
smouldering fire he persist
publication of the "Defen
up. Letters, pamphlets, a
plimentary upon him; fin
coercion of the individua
Lizardi was excommunica
the end of 1823.
During 1824 he waged war upon religious intolerance and abuses
in a periodical, El Payo y el Sacristdn. He made a hard fight for
complete religious freedom, and was much disappointed when the
constitution of 1824, of which the third article prohibited all religions
except the Roman Catholic, legalized intolerance. Much embittered,
he accused the ecclesiastical cabildo of disloyalty to the republican
cause. He complained, too, of the injustice of the tithing system,
which he thought should be controlled by the state; of the enormous
sums received by the bishops and canons; and of the practice of
permitting priests to charge for their services. He struck at the vow
of celibacy, and to prove that it had not been instituted by Christ, he
traced the early history of Christianity. He criticized infant baptism,
and advocated that the church services be in Spanish instead of in
Latin.
A storm of protest, expressed in pamphlets and in articles in
various periodicals, was aroused by the religious reforms outlined in
El Payo y el Sacristdn. His views on infant baptism and celibacy
were pronounced heretical by the church authorities; Lizardi justi-
fied his views in a pamphlet which drew further fire from Ignacio
Lerdo, a member of the ecclesiastical chapter which had adjudged
him heretical. He was not entirely without friends during this period;
chief among his defenders was Pablo Villavicencio, better known as
"El Payo del Rosario."
In January of 1825 Lizardi became involved in a controversy with
the bishop of Sonora, who, in a manifiesto, proclaimed the constitu-
tion of Mexico anti-Catholic, argued for the divine right of kings, and
lamented that God had been deprived of his rights. The "Pensador"
replied by calling the bishop a traitor who was defending not the
sovereignty of God but that of Ferdinand VII; there was no reason,
Lizardi argued, why the congress and other republican forms of

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 LIZARDI AND His CRITICS 241

government could not have God's good will

known that Leo XII had urged Mexico to place
the domination of Spain, the "Pensador" be
popery. While he did not question the authorit
ters purely spiritual, he did not believe that h
to the temporal sphere.
Lizardi figured in three other controversies
these was with Andres Castillo, the manager of
in the city, who refused to present a short d
"Pensador" after it had been accepted by the t
carried on through the columns of El Sol with
La Gaceta del Gobierno, of which Lizardi was
tion tendered him by the government in recog
during the revolution. The third and most ser
versies was with Jose Maria de Aza, who deno
in a dozen pamphlets of so violent and bitter a
had him brought to trial for defamation of ch
of the trial, Aza attempted to prove that Liza
consistent in his views, and unpatriotic; these s
publicity in a pamphlet issued by Aza under
aparece un muerto." So forcefully did he defe
was acquitted by a jury on June 2, 1826. Th
Lizardi came back with "Que respondan los jur
comprados" on June 6. In this he denounced t
he had ever questioned an article of faith of th
recounted the two imprisonments he had suffe
Of his work during 1826 some fifteen pamphlet
Some of these deal with the Aza affair, others r
matters, and one is his second defense of freem
by Henriquez Urefia with having edited El
Mexico, of which twenty-four numbers were is
ber, 1826, and the following May.
In 1827 the "Pensador" published, in spite of
insisted that he was a heretic, his Dudas ... ace
Ripalda, in which he cited examples of faulty,
ing statements; two pamphlets against Padre Ar
who had attempted to induce a Mexican off
Mexico in favor of Spain and thereby stran
raise the church to its former power; and l
before his death, his Testamento ..., in whic

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242 HISPANIA

religious and political bel

Neglected and poor, the "P
The death of Lizardi se
greater appreciation of his
acter. At that time an inacc
preparations were made fo
which except Noches triste
lifetime. Between 1830 and
tristes, Don Catrin, and th
demand for them that all
Since then, every decade has
Aside from the new edition
given to Lizardi by his cou
Tadeo Ortiz referred to h
independiente as a writer w
main facts of his life, und
lished as an introduction t
attempt to correct some of t
nothing more was heard ab
awakening of literary inter
foreign intervention, Altam
a short critical study of th
was included in a compilati
de Mexico (1873-74), althou
Orozco y Berra and his asso
Mexico which form an ap
1853-55. Brief sketches of L

4These novels concern themsel

of the ideas developed in them
Fernandez de Lizardi" in HISPA
"Lizardi was interested in educa
parents and schoolmasters the m
his country might be reclaimed
ing educational system of Mexi
the social conditions about him,
with the best educational tho
of the views of Rousseau deserv
to give open voice to them. The
The picaresque element served to
est veiled the sermons; and all w

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 LIZARDI AND His CRITICS 243

ary works appeared in the Diccionario (1875) o

the Biografias (1884) of Sosa.
The awakening of a scholarly interest in Liza
Luis Gonzalez Obreg6n, whose Apuntes biogrd
(1888) marks the first of a series of document
the life and work of Lizardi. In this publicatio
included a fairly complete biographical sketch
all the works of Lizardi then known to him. T
later enlarged by two articles, "El Pensador
"Los Restos del Pensador mexicano," still more
the bibliographical section was supplemente
nearly 250 pamphlets written by Lizardi. Inspi
g6n, Ignacio Ramirez and Guillermo Prieto con
the Liceo Mexicano (1888); but neither present
showed any critical ability. Francisco Pimen
critica de la literatura en Mexico, first publis
included in his O bras Completas, discussed Li
and summarized the novels.
After 1888 for almost a quarter of a century Gonzales Obreg6n
was the lone contributor in Mexico of articles on Lizardi. But in
1910, when the centenary of Mexican independence was being cele-
brated, a number of excellent studies were published. The picaresque
element in the novels, commented on by almost every one of the
critics, was treated in more detail by Gonzales Pefia in his El Pensa-
dor mexicano. Luis Urbina wrote, in charming style, a study on
Lizardi as novelist, poet, and dramatist; in connection with the re-
print of portions of the novels and poems in the Antologia del Cen-
tenario, Henriquez Urefia prepared a scholarly bio-bibliographical
article. In the series of Documentos hist6ricos edited by Genaro
Garcia, the correspondence of Lizardi during his imprisonment in
1812 and 1813 was published for the first time. In 1914, Gamboa, one
of Mexico's leading novelists, wrote a penetrating criticism of Lizardi
as a novelist. To the Revue Hispanique (1916) Alfonso Reyes contrib-
uted the first article of international interest on the Mexican novelist;
in it he summarized the various criticisms of El Periquillo Sarniento
written by Mexicans and evaluated their comparative merits. Niifiez
y Dominguez included two articles, one on the poetry in El Periquillo
and one on Lizardi as a feminist, in his Poetas j6venes de Mexico
(1918). Not until 1926 was the date of Lizardi's birth and the period

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 244 HISPANIA

covered by his college care

these facts, Nicol's Rang
tion concerning the life
The awakening of an i
inclusion among the outs
dated from 1893 when M
to him as a clumsy poet w
same comment was rep
americana (1911). In 190
vingtieme siecle classed L
termed El Periquillo the G
as abounding in material
Max L. Wagner published
roman, in which he discu
nection with the picare
Coester, in his Literary
novels and refers to their
Mexican revolution. Nort
ture (1926), also finds sp
sion of the picaresque no
While Spanish, French,
have seen fit to discuss L
point, the historians have
dor" played in the history
de Mier, at that time in
which caused him to refe
de Nueva Espania as one
repeal the decree author
forced to flee to the ins
1812, often referred to him
in attacking injustice. Al
pathizer of the independe
"Pensador," and saw in h
Later historians, such as
uted to him a leading r6l
events of 1820 and 1821.
A compilation of the controversial works for and against Lizardi
written during his lifetime, and his replies to them, would fill many
pages. Through it all he stands out as an independent thinker whose

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 LIZARDI AND His CRITICS 245

ideas were far in advance of his time. So absorbed was he in the self-
imposed task of bettering the social, political, and religious condi-
tions of his contemporaries that he remained indifferent to the
literary ability he possessed. The works in which this is most evident
were wrung from him by the restrictions imposed upon his pen;
indeed, in his literary style lay his one hope of safety-it was his
disguise. But while his literary work--careless, unpolished as it was
-will live as realistic sketches of the life of his day, it was his
pamphlets which served the purpose which he sought. One by one
many reforms which he outlined have been accomplished; others are
still subjects of debate. But above all, Lizardi's pamphlets served to
promote discussion among his own people; he aroused in others the
need to become what he himself was called-a thinker.
J. R. SPELL
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS

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