Vautrin by Honoré De Balzac (1832)
The novel revolves around the character of Vautrin, a charismatic and cunning figure who manipulates those around him to achieve his goals. He is a master of disguise and deception, using his intelligence and charm to influence others. Vautrin's backstory is one of poverty and hardship, which has driven him to become a ruthless and calculating individual. Despite this, he possesses a certain nobility and grandeur that earns him the respect and admiration of those who know him. Throughout the novel, Vautrin becomes embroiled in the lives of several key characters, including Lucien de Rubempré, a young man from a lower social class who is struggling to make his way in the world. Vautrin sees potential in Lucien and takes him under his wing, teaching him how to navigate the complexities of high society. However, Vautrin's true intentions are far from altruistic. He has his own agenda, which involves using Lucien as a pawn in his game of power and manipulation. As the novel unfolds, it becomes clear that Vautrin is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his goals, including betraying those who trust him. Ultimately, the novel raises questions about the nature of morality and the consequences of one's actions. Is Vautrin a villain or a hero? Or is he something in between? The answer is left ambiguous, leaving the reader to draw their own conclusions.
By Honoré De Balzac · First published 1832 · Genre: Drama, Crime, Psychological · 60 chapters · 32,477 words
First lines
PERSONS OF THE PLAY Jacques Collin, known as Vautrin The Duc de Montsorel The Marquis Albert de Montsorel, son to Montsorel Raoul de Frascas Charles Blondet, known as the Chevalier de Saint-Charles Francois Cadet, known as the Philosopher Fil-de-Soie Buteux Philippe Boulard, known as Lafouraille A Police Officer Joseph Bonnet, footman to the Duchesse de Montsorel The Duchesse de Montsorel (Louise de Vaudrey) Mademoiselle de Vaudrey, aunt to the Duchesse de Montsorel The Duchesse de Christoval Inez de Christoval, Princesse D'Arjos Felicite, maid to the Duchesse de Montsorel Servants, Gendarmes, Detectives, and others
What this Textopian page supports
Vautrin is listed on Textopian as a play by Honoré De Balzac, dated 1832 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Play
- Author: Honoré De Balzac
- Date: 1832 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Drama, Crime, Psychological, Social Commentary, Historical
- Length: 32,477 words
- Structure: 62 chapters, 1,180 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Vautrin 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 Vautrin?
- How does this play by Honoré De Balzac fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Drama first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Drama — The book primarily focuses on intense character interactions and emotional conflicts.
- Crime — Central to the plot is the criminal underworld and the protagonist's involvement in illicit activities.
- Psychological — Explores the psychological motivations and complexities of its characters.
- Social Commentary — Critiques and reflects on societal norms and class structures of the time.
Tags
French Literature · Realism · Social Commentary · Philosophical Fiction · Psychological Insight · Character Study · Morality Tale · Coming of Age · Self-Discovery · Identity Crisis · Class Struggle · Social Hierarchy
Contents
- SCENE I
- (Scene the same as in Preceding Act.) the Duc De Montsorel and Joseph
- (a Room in the House of Raoul De Frescas.)
- (Drawing-Room of the Duchesse De Christoval.) the Duchesse De Christoval and Inez
- (the Scene is Laid at the Montsorel House, in a Room on the Ground Floor.)
- SCENE II
- The Preceding and Felicite. (to Explain his Presence in his Wife's Room, the Duke Looks over Articles Lying on the Table, and Discovers a Letter in a Book.)
- Vautrin and Lafouraille. (Vautrin is Dressed in Long White Duck Trousers and a Waistcoat of the same Material, Slippers of Red Morocco, -- the Morning Dress of a Business Man.)
- The same Persons, a Footman and Vautrin
- Joseph, Lafouraille and Buteux; Later, Vautrin
- Mademoiselle De Vaudrey and Felicite
- The Preceding, and Blondet, Alias the Chevalier De Saint-Charles. (Joseph and Saint-Charles Walk Together from the Centre Door, and Eye each other Attentively.)
- The same Persons, Buteux, Philosopher and Fil-De-Soie
- The Duchess and Vautrin
- SCENE III
- SCENE IV
- The Duke and Saint-Charles
- SCENE IV
- SCENE IV
- Joseph and Vautrin
- Joseph and Vautrin. (Vautrin Wears a Tan-Colored Overcoat, Trimmed with Fur, over the Black Evening Dress of a Foreign Diplomatic Minister.)
- The Preceding and the Marquis De Montsorel
- Vautrin and Lafouraille
- Vautrin, the Duchesse De Christoval and Inez
- SCENE V
- SCENE VI
- The Duke and the Marquis
- Lafouraille and Saint-Charles
- The same Persons, and Raoul
- Joseph, a Footman; and Afterwards Saint-Charles
- SCENE VII
- The Duke, the Duchess and the Marquis
- SCENE VII
- Inez (Standing at the Door through which her Mother has Passed); Raoul (at the other Side of the Stage)
- SCENE VII
- The Duchesse De Montsorel and Mademoiselle De Vaudrey
- The same Persons and Joseph
- Saint-Charles, Vautrin and Lafouraille. (Vautrin Wears a Bright Maroon Coat, of Old-Fashioned Cut, with Large Heavy Buttons; his Breeches are Black Silk, as are his Stockings. his Shoes have Gold Buckles, his Waistcoat is Flowered, he Wears Two Watch-Chains, his Cravat Belongs to the Time of the Revolution; his Wig is White, his Face Old, Keen, Withered, Dissipated Looking. he Speaks Low, and his Voice is Cracked.)
- The same Persons and the Marquis De Montsorel
- Saint-Charles, the Duchesse De Montsorel and Mademoiselle De Vaudrey
- The same Persons, and the Duc De Montsorel (who Enters as the Duchess Pronounces the Last Sentence)
- The same Persons, the Duchesse De Christoval and the Princesse D'Arjos
- Vautrin and Lafouraille
- The Marquis and Raoul; Later, Vautrin
- The same Persons, the Duc De Montsorel and a Footman
- Mademoiselle De Vaudrey and the Duchess
- The same Persons, Joseph and Raoul De Frescas
- Vautrin and Raoul De Frescas
- Raoul, Vautrin, the Marquis and the Duchesse De Montsorel; Later, the Duchesse De Christoval and Inez
- The Duchess, Mademoiselle De Vaudrey and Vautrin
- The same Persons, Except Raoul
- The Duchesse De Christoval, the Duchesse De Montsorel, Raoul and Vautrin
- The Duchess and Vautrin
- The Marquis and the Duke
- Raoul, Vautrin and Later Lafouraille
- The same Persons and Mademoiselle De Vaudrey on One Side of the Stage, Saint-Charles on the other, and Domestics
- The same Persons and Vautrin. (Vautrin is Dressed all in Black; at the Beginning of the Scene he Puts on an Air of Compunction and Humility.)
- Vautrin and the Duchess
- The same Persons, the Duke, Lafouraille, Buteux, Saint-Charles, and all the Domestics
- The same Persons, the Duchesse De Christoval, Inez and Mademoiselle De Vaudrey