The Deputy of Arcis
This novel revolves around the life of a young nobleman who becomes embroiled in a complex web of relationships and power struggles within the aristocracy. He navigates his way through various social circles, forming alliances and rivalries that ultimately lead to his downfall. The story explores themes of class, morality, and the corrupting influence of wealth and power. The protagonist's actions are driven by a desire for status and prestige, but he is also haunted by his own sense of guilt and inadequacy. Throughout the novel, Balzac critiques the social conventions of 19th-century France, revealing the hypocrisy and superficiality that lies beneath the surface of high society.
By Honoré De Balzac · First published 1835 · Genre: Political Fiction, Social Commentary, Realism · 41 chapters · 151,585 words
First lines
Before beginning to describe an election in the provinces, it is proper to state that the town of Arcis-sur-Aube was not the theatre of the events here related.
The arrondissement of Arcis votes at Bar-sur-Aube, which is forty miles from Arcis; consequently there is no deputy from Arcis in the Chamber.
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The Deputy of Arcis 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: Political Fiction, Social Commentary, Realism, Drama, Satire
- Length: 151,585 words
- Structure: 41 chapters, 2,687 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Deputy of Arcis 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
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Deputy of Arcis?
- How does this novel by Honoré De Balzac fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Political Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Political Fiction — The narrative centers around political themes, including electoral processes and political maneuvering.
- Social Commentary — The book provides a critique of society and class structures, reflecting on the social dynamics of the time.
- Realism — The writing style and depiction of characters and settings are grounded in realistic portrayals of 19th-century French society.
- Drama — The plot involves dramatic elements such as personal conflicts and moral dilemmas.
Tags
French Literature · Realism · Social Commentary · Satire · Comedy of Manners · Novel of Morals · Coming-of-Age Story · Young Adult Fiction · Romance · Family Drama · Class Conflict · Social Hierarchy
Contents
- All Elections Begin with a Bustle
- The Comte De L'Estorade to Monsieur Marie-Gaston
- The Sorrows of Monsieur De Trailles
- Revolt of a Liberal Rotten-Borough
- The Comtesse De L'Estorade to Madame Octave De Camps
- A Conversation between Eleven o'Clock and Midnight
- Opposition Defines Itself
- The Comte De L'Estorade to Monsieur Marie-Gaston
- A Minister's Morning
- The First Parliamentary Tempest
- The Comtesse De L'Estoraade to Madame Octave De Camps
- A Catechism
- The Perplexities of the Government in Arcis
- The Comtesse De L'Estorade to Madame Octave De Camps
- Children
- The Campaign of 1814 from the Hosiery Point of View
- The Comtesse De L'Estorade to Madame Octave De Camps
- Curiosity that Came Within an Ace of being Fatal
- The Beauvisage Family
- The Comtesse De L'Estorade to Madame Octave De Camps
- The Way to Manage Political Intrigues
- In which the Dot, One of the Heroines of this History, Appears
- The Comtesse De L'Estorade to Madame Octave De Camps
- Some Old Acquaintances
- A Stranger
- Dorlange to Marie-Gaston
- In the Chamber
- The Revelations of an Opera-Glass
- Dorlange to Marie-Gaston
- In which the Candidate Begins to Lose Votes
- The Comtesse De L'Estorade to Madame Octave De Camps
- The Salon of Madame D'Espard
- Dorlange to Marie-Gaston
- Preface before Lettering
- Dorlange to Marie-Gaston
- Marie-Gaston to Madame La Comtesse De L'Estorade
- Marie-Gaston to the Comtesse De L'Estorade
- Marie-Gaston to the Comtesse De L'Estorade
- Marie-Gaston to Madame La Comtesse De L'Estorade
- Charles De Sallenauve to the Comtesse De L'Estorade
- Marie-Gaston to the Comtesse De L'Estorade