The Splendors and Miseries of Courtesans: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Splendors and Miseries of Courtesans" delves into the intricate lives of its major characters, presenting a vivid tableau of ambition, desire, and moral ambiguity set against the backdrop of Parisian society. Central to the narrative is Jacques Collin, also known as Dodgedeath, a cunning former convict who assumes the identity of a murdered priest to manipulate those around him, particularly the young and impressionable Lucien Chardon de Rubempré. Lucien, a handsome but weak figure, is drawn into a world of wealthy dandyism and romantic intrigue, finding himself torn between his aspirations and his feelings for the ill-fated Esther Gobseck, a young prostitute seeking redemption through love.
Esther's tragic journey reflects themes of sacrifice and despair, as she oscillates between her past life and her hopes for happiness with Lucien. Supporting characters, such as the jealous Baron de Nucingen and the watchful Prudence Servien, enrich the narrative by illustrating the lengths to which individuals will go for love and power. The interplay of these characters reveals a web of deception, betrayal, and ultimately, the high cost of ambition in a society fraught with moral complexity. The story invites readers to reflect on the splendors and miseries inherent in the pursuit of desire, making it a compelling exploration of human nature and societal norms.
The Splendors and Miseries of Courtesans: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Honoré de Balzac
First published: Splendeurs et miseres des courtisanes, 1838–1847 (English translation, 1895): Comment aiment les filles, 1838, 1844 (The Way That Girls Love, 1895); A combien l'amour revient aux vieillards, 1844 (How Much Love Costs Old Men, 1895); Ou menent les mauvais chemins, 1846 (The End of Bad Roads, 1895); La Derniere Incarnation de Vautrin, 1847 (The Last Incarnation of Vautrin, 1895)
Genre: Novel
Locale: Paris, France
Plot: Social realism
Time: 1824–1830
Jacques Collin (zhahk koh-LAN), called Dodgedeath, a cold-blooded former convict. Collin murders the Spanish priest Don Carlos Herrera and assumes his identity. He then uses the money entrusted to him by other prisoners to install his protégé Lucien in Parisian society.
Lucien Chardon de Rubempré (lew-SYAHN shahrDOHN deh rew-behm-PRAY), a handsome but weak young man of modest background. Rescued from despair by the supposed Don Carlos, Lucien becomes his creature, assumes a title, and, as a wealthy young dandy, sets about to marry an heiress. He falls desperately in love with Esther.
Esther Gobseck, called The Torpedo, an illiterate, eighteen-year-old prostitute. Once she has given her heart to Lucien, she abandons her profession. After being insulted in public, Esther attempts suicide, but she is saved by Don Carlos, who sends her to a convent school. Unable to live without Lucien, she is brought back to Paris, and for four happy years, she is his mistress. when Baron Nucingen notices her, she is ordered to become his property instead.
Prudence Servien, also called Europe and Eugénie, a young former convict. Ostensibly Esther's lady's-maid, she is really Collin's watchdog.
Jacqueline Collin (zhahk-LEEN), sometimes called Asia, Collin's aunt, a clever, unprincipled woman who is installed as Esther's cook. She acts for Collin in negotiations with the Baron.
Baron Frédéric de Nucingen (fray-day-REEK deh new-sahn-ZHAHN), an elderly banker. No matter how much it costs him, he is determined to possess Esther.
Mademoiselle Clotilde-Fréderique Grandlieu, an unattractive heiress who is desperate to marry Lucien.
Peyrade (pay-RAHD), or Father Canquoëlle, an elderly man, formerly a high police official. He loves his illegitimate daughter Lydia dearly.
Corentin (koh-rahn-TAHN), a mulatto. Once Peyrade's subordinate, he is now his confederate.
Contenson (kohn-tehn-ZOHN), another spy, a friend of Peyrade and Corentin. He is paid by the Baron to discover Esther's identity.
Jacques Collin, who uses Esther as bait to extort from the Baron most of the money that Lucien must have before he can marry. He refuses to be blackmailed by Corentin but instead arranges to have Lydia kidnapped. After Esther's death, he forges a will, by which she leaves her property to Lucien. Both Collin and Lucien are accused of murdering Esther and stealing her money.
Esther Gobseck, who is convinced by Collin that Lucien will go to the gallows if he is exposed. She accepts the Baron as her lover. She is unexpectedly left a huge sum of money but kills herself before learning about her inheritance.
Lucien Chardon de Rubempré, who agrees to abandon Esther but loses his chance at marriage when his financial situation is exposed, then is arrested for murder and theft.
Corentin, who, acting as the Grandlieus'agent, discovers the truth about Lucien and tries to blackmail Collin. Corentin is responsible for the arrest of Collin and Lucien.
Peyrade, who learns that Lydia is ill because of her mistreatment. He dies of apoplexy.
Contenson, who swears revenge on Collin, whom he holds responsible for Peyrade's death. Collin throws him off a roof to his death.
Jacques Collin, who calmly works to clear himself and Lucien.
Lucien Chardon de Rubempré, who ignores Collin's injunction to keep silent and betrays his master, admitting that Don Carlos is in fact Collin. As influential friends are about to have him freed, he panics and hangs himself.
Monsieur Camusot, the timid examining magistrate, who is pressured both by Lucien's friends and by his enemies. He depends on his canny wife for advice.
Bibi-Lupin, the chief of detectives and a former convict. He hates Collin and seeks to have him executed.
Jacques Collin, who continues to outmaneuver his enemies. When Europe (Prudence Servien) returns with the missing money and Esther's suicide note, he is cleared of any wrong-doing in her death. Although now known to be Collin, and even by some as the respectable Vautrin (voh-TRAN), he still has a trump card, Lucien's correspondence, which enables him to save himself, as well as Lucien's predecessor in his affections, Théodore Calvi. He obtains a reward for saving a lady's sanity, claims his inheritance from Lucien, succeeds Bibi-Lupin, and remains chief of detectives for fifteen years.
Corentin, who is forced to offer Collin a pardon and a job.
Bibi-Lipin, who is ordered to leave his old enemy alone, despite all of his crimes, and then loses his job to him.