
This work explores the institution of marriage and its effects on individuals and society. It examines the social conventions surrounding marriage, the roles of men and women within it, and the consequences of these dynamics. The text delves into the psychological aspects of relationships, highlighting the tensions between reason and passion, as well as the impact of societal expectations on personal desires. Through a series of vignettes and character studies, the author critiques the social norms governing marriage, revealing the hypocrisy and superficiality that often underlie seemingly respectable relationships. Ultimately, this work presents a nuanced and complex portrayal of marriage, one that challenges readers to reevaluate their assumptions about love, family, and social responsibility.
By Honoré De Balzac · First published 1829 · Genre: Philosophical Fiction, Satire, Social Commentary · 13 chapters · 47,986 words
When a man reaches the position in which the first part of this book sets him, we suppose that the idea of his wife being possessed by another makes his heart beat, and rekindles his passion, either by an appeal to his _amour propre_, his egotism, or his self-interest, for unless he is still on his wife's side, he must be one of the lowest of men and deserves his fate.
The Physiology of Marriage, Volume II is listed on Textopian as a novel by Honoré De Balzac, dated 1829 CE.
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Satire · Social Commentary · Marriage · Relationships · Philosophy · Psychology · Sociology · French Literature · 19th Century Literature · Realism · Comedy of Manners · Critique of Society