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Le pere Goriot - Detailed summary with commentary - Characters - Topics
Le pere Goriot - Detailed summary with commentary - Characters - Topics
Each of the following 13 titles below is a link to the notes on my French Literature website. Click the chosen title to access the topic
DETAILED SUMMARY OF THE BOOK with COMMENTARY
My very detailed summary of "Le Pere Goriot" in English with quotations, comments and a few illustrations
2)
Biography of Balzac 1799 - 1850
Describing the elements of his life that contributed to his genius
Right - Portrait of Balzac
3)
The character of Eugène de Rastignac
A principal theme of these notes is how far Rastignac abandoned his principles to launch himself in Paris society
Right - In the famous last scene of the book, Rastignac looks down on Paris below and vows revenge
4)
The character of Le Père Goriot
These notes seek to bring together the scattered biographical references to Goriot in the novel. Also they ask us to clarify our attitude to his character. Is he some sort of self- destructive maniac or is he a beautiful soul as Rastignac describes him?
Right - In the most recent French TV adaptation of the book, Georges Aznavour played Goriot.
5)
The diabolical character in whom Balzac finds much to admire
6)
Examining how deeply each of the two is implicated in the tragedy of the story.
When Delphine danced with Rastignac at the Grand Bal, they may have looked like this -
7)
The character of Mme de Beauséant
Balzac insists on her nobility of character, but does she really stay on his pedestal?
The ball at the luxurious home of Mme de Beauséant, the queen of Paris high society
8) The character of Mme Vauquer
A landlady with a fixed smile but with some venom behind it.
9)
The character of Victorine Taillefer
The sweet Romantic heroine who falls in love with our hero, Rastignac.
10)
Tthe character of Mlle. Michonneau
A traitress with a seedy previous life history, possessing no redeeming features
11)
Explaining how this novel is linked by Balzac into an ambitious literary system, constantly changed by the author.
12)
Balzac's view of the world which shaped his stories and the characters that he created
13)
The importance of the descriptions
Examining the lengthy descriptions found in the book and appreciating their importance for the achievement of the author's aims.
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