The Illustrious Gaudissart

Name: The Illustrious Gaudissart
Author: Honoré De Balzac

This novel follows the life of a young and ambitious journalist named Gaudissart who rises to prominence through his cunning and charm. He becomes embroiled in a series of scandals and misadventures, revealing the darker aspects of Parisian society during the early 19th century. Gaudissart's character is a commentary on the social and economic changes taking place in France at the time, as well as the rise of a new class of entrepreneurs and journalists who are willing to do whatever it takes to succeed. Through Gaudissart's story, Balzac critiques the excesses and superficiality of the bourgeoisie. The novel explores themes of identity, morality, and the corrupting influence of power, as Gaudissart navigates the complex web of relationships and alliances that define his world. Ultimately, Gaudissart's downfall serves as a warning about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the consequences of prioritizing personal gain over moral principles. The novel is part of Balzac's larger series, La Comédie Humaine, which seeks to provide a comprehensive portrait of French society during this period.

By Honoré De Balzac · First published 1833 · Genre: Satire, Comedy, Realism · 5 chapters · 17,553 words

First lines

The commercial traveller, a personage unknown to antiquity, is one of the striking figures created by the manners and customs of our present epoch. May he not, in some conceivable order of things, be destined to mark for coming philosophers the great transition which welds a period of material enterprise to the period of intellectual strength? Our century will bind the realm of isolated power, abounding as it does in creative genius, to the realm of universal but levelling might; equalizing all products, spreading them broadcast among the masses, and being itself controlled by the principle of unity, -- the final expression of all societies. Do we not find the dead level of barbarism succeeding the saturnalia of popular thought and the last struggles of those civilizations which accumulated the treasures of the world in one direction?

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The Illustrious Gaudissart is listed on Textopian as a novel by Honoré De Balzac, dated 1833 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Honoré De Balzac
Date: 1833 CE
Language: English
Genres: Satire, Comedy, Realism, Social Commentary, Drama
Length: 17,553 words
Structure: 5 chapters, 315 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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Genres

Satire — The narrative employs humor and irony to critique social norms and professions, particularly the life of a traveling salesman.
Comedy — The story is filled with humorous situations and character interactions, providing a light-hearted and entertaining tone.
Realism — The depiction of 19th-century French society and the detailed portrayal of characters reflect realistic elements.
Social Commentary — The text offers insights into the social and economic conditions of the time, critiquing the bourgeoisie and commercial practices.