# Love and Marriage in Béatrix

> Theme guide for Béatrix by Honoré de Balzac.

The book explores the tension between passionate love and the social institution of marriage, as seen through Calyste's obsessive love for Béatrix and his dutiful marriage to Sabine, highlighting the disillusionment and emotional conflict that arise.

## Where it surfaces

- [Part III: Retrospective Adultery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/b_atrix_se/chapters/part-iii-retrospective-adultery): The chapter explores the dissonance between the ideal of marriage and the reality of Calyste and Sabine's union, where love is one-sided and passion is directed elsewhere.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/b_atrix_se/themes/love_and_marriage
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/b_atrix_se/themes