017 - Chapter 17

Father Goriot (Le Père Goriot), published in 1835, stands as one of Balzacs most celebrated and impactful novels. Set against the tumultuous backdrop of Paris in 1819, following Napoleons defeat and the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy, the story captures a society in flux, where the emerging bourgeoisie vie for status alongside the traditional aristocracy. At the heart of this narrative are Goriot, an aging father who obsessively lavishes love on his daughters; Vautrin, a mysterious criminal mastermind with his own agenda; and Rastignac, a determined young man from the provinces eager to decode the intricate social dynamics of Paris. Balzac’s brilliant portrayal of both physical and psychological nuances establishes this work as a cornerstone of realism in Western literature. - Summary by Bruce Pirie