Introduction The nineteenth century was a century marked by the emergence of capitalism that will result in the division of society into two classes: the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. Thus in this society money is the watchword, social success, the goal of everyone.
Balzac, like writers realistic, looks at social mores through his novel, Goriot he published in 18 ... where the action is clear from the figures upward mobility. The study of this theme will focus first on the power of money, then self-promotion of Rastignac and finally to the moral decay of Parisian life.
I. The power of money
By marrying the daughters of Goriot have disowned their father. So in this world, the "god" Money is the only way to assert themselves is why, according to Vautrin, "the fortune is the virtue. " Through the character Vautrin, Balzac denounces the injustices that underpin the social order. Money here is linked to evil Baron Taillefer his family remains in favor of his son, give itself the legacy of the latter.
The money would perhaps not have been this seductive power in society based on higher values, yet the company, as always Vautrin esteem does that "if I pass no I ask who you are? I would be 4 million Mr. A U.S. citizen. "
Money in the Parisian society determines almost all the characters in the novel.
Ms. Vauquer : keeper of the pension is obsessed with winning, and its relationship with residents are determined by the wealth or poverty of the latter.
His greed is demonstrated by his confusion when residents threatened to leave the pension. Guessing that Father Goriot had the fortune, she intends to marry him. But when she discovers the hardship of the latter, she prepared all faults and speaks ill of himself. His hatred was not because of his love but his hopes.
Vautrin : So John Collin is an escaped prisoner who tries to hide his true identity and tries to give Rastignac lessons to get rich by killing the father of Victorine Taillefer.
The couple Mr. and Mrs. Poiret: This couple goes to the police to gain the promised reward for the capture of the escaped prisoner.
II. The ambitiousness of Rastignac
The ambitiousness of Rastignac unfolds through his career. New graduate and rights to letters, he left the province to come to Paris, the capital to continue his studies. First characterized by its simplicity, it manages to exceed disillusioned teenager starting his training of watching, listening and walking into Parisian high society. Rastignac becomes ambitious and despite financial poverty of his family.
To conquer this company, he knows he must conquer women. Thus it will use the weapon of seduction to achieve his ends. Assisted by Ms. Beauseant, he manages to seduce Anastasia Restaud, the daughter of Father Goriot. The character will arrive to lucidity after the death of Pere Goriot. Become computer and enters himself, he launched a challenge to the city of Paris "Between us now."
III. The moral decay of Parisian life
This novel is a painting of the lives of Parisian society. Among those lives that show the moral decay are: adultery, theft, deceit, greed, murder, homosexuality, etc.. However
the moral decay of this society is mainly shown by the relationship between two sisters, Anastasia and their father and Delphine.
1. The two sisters
- Anastasia Restaud is the eldest daughter of Goriot. She married Count Restaud for social status, when it wants to enjoy the wealth of his father.
- Delphine Nucingen is the youngest daughter of Goriot who marries the Baron Frederick Nucingen for the same reasons as his sister. She has an affair with Rastignac.
Even if they are sisters, do not love these characters so far. Their dispute will even cause the death of their father they were abandoned because financially, it can do nothing for them. Thus they are marked by their ingratitude to their father who has yet sacrificed for their happiness.
2. Forfeiture of Goriot
Deprivation may be analyzed on three levels: physical, emotional or moral and economic. At the physical level, this decline is shown by the deteriorating health of Goriot will eventually die in excruciating pain. This suffering is actually caused by the emotional. Indeed, after the death of his wife, he is abandoned by his own daughters who are even ashamed of him. It is the passion, the love he feels for those girls who will be the source of its economic decline. Pere Goriot "Christ of paternity, sick, tired of the anxiety and indifference of his daughters died in the arms of Rastignac leading single her coffin to the cemetery. Indeed, Father Goriot has used his fortune to the welfare of his children.
Conclusion
Respecting the realist aesthetic, Balzac arrived in his novel to make a faithful picture of the capitalist society of the 19th century, highlighting the role that money plays. As closing remarks, we will borrow the novel to characterize briefly this company: "Money, that's life" on page 246.
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