Ursula by Honoré De Balzac (1829)

The novel revolves around the life of Ursule Mirouët, a young woman from a poor family who marries into wealth and becomes embroiled in a complex web of relationships with her husband's family and their social circle. Through her experiences, Balzac explores themes of class, morality, and the corrupting influence of wealth.

By Honoré De Balzac · First published 1829 · Genre: Realist Fiction, Drama, Romance · 21 chapters · 97,517 words

First lines

Entering Nemours by the road to Paris, we cross the canal du Loing, the steep banks of which serve the double purpose of ramparts to the fields and of picturesque promenades for the inhabitants of that pretty little town. Since 1830 several houses had unfortunately been built on the farther side of the bridge. If this sort of suburb increases, the place will lose its present aspect of graceful originality.

What this Textopian page supports

Ursula is listed on Textopian as a novel by Honoré De Balzac, dated 1829 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: 1829 CE
• Language: English
• Genres: Realist Fiction, Drama, Romance, Psychological Fiction, Social Commentary
• Length: 97,517 words
• Structure: 21 chapters, 1,644 paragraphs
• Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

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

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Genres

• Realist Fiction — The book is a classic example of 19th-century French realism, focusing on detailed character development and social commentary.
• Drama — The narrative is driven by intense emotional and moral conflicts among the characters.
• Romance — Central to the plot is a romantic relationship that influences the characters' decisions and the story's outcome.
• Psychological Fiction — The book delves deeply into the psychological motivations and inner lives of its characters.

Tags

French Literature · Realism · Social Commentary · Satire · Novel · 19th Century · France · Prose · Literary Fiction · Character Study · Psychological Insight · Morality Tale

Contents

• The Frightened Heirs
• The Rich Uncle
• The Doctor's Friends
• Zelie
• Ursula
• A Treatise on Mesmerism
• A Two-Fold Conversion
• The Conference
• A First Confidence
• The Family of Portenduere
• Savinien Saved
• Obstacles to Young Love
• Betrothal of Hearts
• Ursula again Orphaned
• The Doctor's Will
• The Two Adversaries
• The Malignity of Provincial Minds
• A Two-Fold Vengeance
• Apparitions
• Remorse
• Showing how Difficult it is to Steal that which Seems very Easily Stolen

More by Honoré De Balzac

• The Mysterious Mansion (1850)
• The Hidden Masterpiece (1850)
• The Message (1832)
• The Elixir of Life (1830)
• The Atheist´s Mass (1836)
• Pierre Grassou (1839)
• Study of a Woman (1830)
• El Verdugo (1829)
• All works by Honoré De Balzac