SOURCE: Willem, Linda M. “Variations on Engaño and Honra in the Interpolated Novelettes of Guzmán de Alfarache.” Hispanic Journal 8, no. 2 (Spring 1987): 7-20.

In the following essay, Willem discusses how Alemán inserts several novelettes into Guzmán de Alfarache to accentuate his overarching themes concerning honor and deceit.

In general, critical opinion concerning the role of the interpolated novelettes in Guzmán de Alfarache falls into two camps: those who consider them to be significantly linked to the main narrative; and those who see them as extraneous stories which serve the essentially decorative function of providing a diversion from the picaresque adventures while displaying Alemán's virtuosity at affecting a variety of literary styles. Condemnation or praise of the novelettes in consistent with the individual critic's degree of commitment to structural unity. Consequently, the scholars of the latter group are divided in their assessment of the...