Modeste Mignon by Honoré De Balzac

Name: Modeste Mignon
Author: Honoré De Balzac

The novel revolves around the life of Modeste Mignon, a young woman from a wealthy family who marries a man she does not love to secure her family's financial future. The story explores themes of social class, morality, and the constraints placed on women in society during the early 19th century. Modeste is portrayed as a naive and idealistic character who struggles with the harsh realities of marriage and adulthood. Her husband, Lucien de Rubempré, is a charming but unscrupulous man who uses his wit and charm to manipulate those around him. Throughout the novel, Balzac critiques the social conventions of the time, highlighting the limited options available to women and the corrupting influence of wealth and power. The story ultimately ends in tragedy, as Modeste's naivety and her husband's deceit lead to devastating consequences for both characters. The novel is a commentary on the societal norms of the time, and it serves as a critique of the excesses and corruption that characterized the French aristocracy during the early 19th century.

By Honoré De Balzac · First published 1848 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Romance, Social Commentary · 29 chapters · 111,469 words

First lines

At the beginning of October, 1829, Monsieur Simon Babylas Latournelle, notary, was walking up from Havre to Ingouville, arm in arm with his son and accompanied by his wife, at whose side the head clerk of the lawyer's office, a little hunchback named Jean Butscha, trotted along like a page. When these four personages (two of whom came the same way every evening) reached the elbow of the road where it turns back upon itself like those called in Italy "cornice," the notary looked about to see if any one could overhear him either from the terrace above or the path beneath, and when he spoke he lowered his voice as a further precaution.

What this Textopian page supports

Modeste Mignon is listed on Textopian as a novel by Honoré De Balzac, dated 1848 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: 1848 CE
Language: English
Genres: Literary Fiction, Romance, Social Commentary, Drama
Length: 111,469 words
Structure: 29 chapters, 1,607 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Modeste Mignon by Honoré De Balzac
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
Readability and classroom-planning context
Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering Modeste Mignon?
How does this novel by Honoré De Balzac fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Literary Fiction — The book is a classic example of 19th-century French literature, focusing on character development and social commentary.
Romance — The central plot revolves around romantic relationships and the emotional experiences of the characters.
Social Commentary — The narrative explores themes of class, society, and the impact of social structures on individual lives.
Drama — The story contains dramatic elements, including intense emotional conflicts and personal struggles.