The individual or animal that guides someone who requires help to move is called guide.
Lazarillo is the diminutive of Lázaro . The term is used to name the person or animal that guides, directs or accompanies someone who needs help to move (such as a blind person) . This use of the concept comes from the novel “Lazarillo de Tormes” , published in the 16th century .
In this publication, in an epistolary style, the story of Lazarillo , who acted as a guide to a blind man, is narrated in the first person. From then on, as the years went by, the notion of guide began to be associated with this work .
For example: “When he was a boy, Claudio was Uncle Agustín's guide on his morning walks,” “Since he lost his sight, the writer has counted on his secretary as guide,” “A guide dog is the best friend of a blind person.” ” .
About “Lazarillo de Tormes”
From this distinguished literary work in Spanish, another series of data of great interest should be highlighted:
• It is anonymous.
• Its full title is “The life of Lazarillo de Tormes and his fortunes and his adversities.”
• It is considered the work that comes to serve as a pioneer of what would later be called the picaresque novel. What this does is make a strong criticism of both the society of the time and its institutions and the literature developed during the Renaissance.
• The Inquisition, the religious institution that was responsible for attacking heresy and witchcraft, banned the book because it considered that it presented ideas and thoughts defended by those related to Erasmus of Rotterdam, that is, Protestantism.
• After it was banned for a long time, the 19th century would have to come before it could be published again.
• “El Lazarillo de Tormes” has not only inspired other writers but also artists from other disciplines. A good example of this is that Francisco de Goya (1746 – 1828) made a painting titled “Lazarillo de Tormes”.
• It has a second part, which was published in 1555 in Antwerp and is made up of a total of eighteen chapters.
Many blind people get around with the help of guides.
Assistance dogs
It is common, even today, for the blind to have the support of a guide dog when moving around. These assistance dogs are trained in specialized centers so that they can assist blind people, driving them on public roads and helping them at home.
Among the dogs that are usually trained to act as guides for people with vision problems are those of the Labrador Retriever breed, since they have a very calm and calm character, essential for the work they do.
The function of the guide
The guide dog or guide dog has the ability to warn of the dangers that certain architectural barriers may represent for its owner. That is why the blind person leads the dog on a leash and the animal is the one who leads the walk, avoiding obstacles that could cause the person to trip or get hit.
It should be noted that the guide dog is trained in what is known as intelligent disobedience , which gives it the ability to act contrary to its owner's instructions when these may be harmful. If a blind man is standing in front of a ladder and orders the dog to move forward, the animal will realize the danger to its master and will refuse to comply with the order.