A Womam of Thirty
The story revolves around a woman who has been married for ten years and is now thirty years old. She is described as being beautiful but also vain and self-absorbed. The narrative explores her inner world, revealing her thoughts on love, marriage, and relationships. As the protagonist navigates her life, she begins to question the societal expectations placed upon her as a woman of a certain age. She feels pressure to conform to traditional roles and responsibilities, while also struggling with her own desires and ambitions. Throughout the narrative, Balzac critiques the social norms of his time, highlighting the limited options available to women in terms of education, career, and personal freedom. The story is a commentary on the constraints placed upon women during this period, as well as their struggles for autonomy and self-expression. The protagonist's inner monologue reveals her conflicted feelings about love, marriage, and relationships. She is torn between her desire for romance and her need for independence. Her thoughts are often contradictory, reflecting the complexities of her own desires and the societal expectations placed upon her. Ultimately, the story presents a nuanced portrayal of a woman struggling to find her place in a society that values conformity over individuality. The narrative raises important questions about the role of women in society and the limitations placed upon them during this period.
By Honoré De Balzac · First published 1835 · Genre: Realist Fiction, Drama, Romance · 6 chapters · 82,487 words
First lines
It was a Sunday morning in the beginning of April 1813, a morning which gave promise of one of those bright days when Parisians, for the first time in the year, behold dry pavements underfoot and a cloudless sky overhead. It was not yet noon when a luxurious cabriolet, drawn by two spirited horses, turned out of the Rue de Castiglione into the Rue de Rivoli, and drew up behind a row of carriages standing before the newly opened barrier half-way down the Terrasse de Feuillants. The owner of the carriage looked anxious and out of health; the thin hair on his sallow temples, turning gray already, gave a look of premature age to his face. He flung the reins to a servant who followed on horseback, and alighted to take in his arms a young girl whose dainty beauty had already attracted the eyes of loungers on the Terrasse.
What this Textopian page supports
A Womam of Thirty is listed on Textopian as a novel by Honoré De Balzac, dated 1835 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Honoré De Balzac
- Date: 1835 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Realist Fiction, Drama, Romance, Social Commentary, Psychological Fiction
- Length: 82,487 words
- Structure: 6 chapters, 1,196 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for A Womam of Thirty by Honoré De Balzac
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Womam of Thirty?
- How does this novel by Honoré De Balzac fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Realist Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Realist Fiction — The book provides a detailed and realistic portrayal of 19th-century French society, focusing on the intricacies of personal relationships and social dynamics.
- Drama — The narrative is driven by intense emotional conflicts and dramatic events that shape the protagonist's life.
- Romance — Central to the plot are themes of love, passion, and the complexities of romantic relationships.
- Social Commentary — The book critiques the societal norms and expectations of women during the time period, highlighting issues of gender and class.
Tags
Realism · French Literature · 19th Century Novel · Social Commentary · Marriage · Love · Family Dynamics · Class Struggle · Morality · Ethics · Societal Expectations · Female Experience
Contents
- Early Mistakes
- A Hidden Grief
- At Thirty Years
- The Finger of God
- Two Meetings
- The Old Age of a Guilty Mother