Pierrette by Honoré De Balzac (1837)

Name: Pierrette
Author: Honoré De Balzac

The novel revolves around the life of Pierrette, a young woman who becomes embroiled in a complex web of relationships and deceit. She is a beautiful and cunning seductress who uses her charms to manipulate those around her, including her lover, a wealthy and influential man. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Pierrette's actions are driven by a desire for power and status, rather than any genuine emotional connection with others. Her relationships are transactional, and she is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve her goals. Through Pierrette's character, Balzac explores themes of morality, class, and the social conventions of 19th-century France. The novel is a scathing critique of the excesses and superficiality of high society, and a commentary on the ways in which women were often forced to navigate complex webs of power and expectation. Ultimately, Pierrette's actions lead to her downfall, as she becomes embroiled in a series of scandals and betrayals that threaten to destroy everything she has worked for. The novel ends with Pierrette's reputation in tatters, a cautionary tale about the dangers of ambition and the corrupting influence of power.

By Honoré De Balzac · First published 1837 · Genre: Realism, Drama, Social Commentary · 10 chapters · 59,571 words

First lines

At the dawn of an October day in 1827 a young fellow about sixteen years of age, whose clothing proclaimed what modern phraseology so insolently calls a proletary, was standing in a small square of Lower Provins. At that early hour he could examine without being observed the various houses surrounding the open space, which was oblong in form. The mills along the river were already working; the whirr of their wheels, repeated by the echoes of the Upper Town in the keen air and sparkling clearness of the early morning, only intensified the general silence so that the wheels of a diligence could be heard a league away along the highroad. The two longest sides of the square, separated by an avenue of lindens, were built in the simple style which expresses so well the peaceful and matter-of-fact life of the bourgeoisie.

What this Textopian page supports

Pierrette is listed on Textopian as a novel by Honoré De Balzac, dated 1837 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: 1837 CE
Language: English
Genres: Realism, Drama, Social Commentary, Tragedy
Length: 59,571 words
Structure: 10 chapters, 885 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Pierrette 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 Pierrette?
How does this novel by Honoré De Balzac fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Realism first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Realism — The book is a detailed depiction of everyday life and social conditions in 19th-century France, focusing on the struggles of the protagonist.
Drama — The narrative is driven by intense emotional conflicts and personal relationships, particularly within a family setting.
Social Commentary — The story critiques societal norms and the impact of social class and family dynamics on individual lives.
Tragedy — The plot involves the downfall and suffering of the main character, highlighting themes of injustice and misfortune.