Prácticamente concluida la publicación de las Obras de Fernández de Lizardi por el Centro de Estudios Literarios de la UNAM, se impone un examen cuidadoso de su vida y escritos a la luz de dicha labor editorial. Se revisan aquí los años que anteceden a su primera novela, reconsiderando su ambigua actitud ante el movimiento insurgente, lo mismo que su participación constante como escritor en los cambios que le tocó vivir. En la evolución de su obra se va configurando un proyecto de nación que será dable encontrar en El Periquillo Sarniento.
Once the publication of Obras by Fernandez de Lizardi by the Center for Literary Studies of the UNAM has practically concluded, a careful assessment of the author's life and writings needs to be carried out in the light of such an editorial task. The years previous to his first novel are herein revised, reconsidering his ambiguous attitude towards the insurgent uprising, as well as his constant participation as a writer in the changes he himself lived. Throughout his work's evolution, a witnessed nation's project is configured, which can be found in El Periquillo Sarniento.