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Father Goriot · Theme
Corruption and Morality
How Father Goriot develops Corruption and Morality.
The narrative contrasts the moral decay of characters like Vautrin, who advocates ruthless pragmatism, with the idealism of Rastignac, showing how society corrupts individuals in pursuit of wealth and status.
Where it surfaces
- Father Goriot
Vautrin's speech exposes the moral decay of Paris, where theft and virtue are judged by wealth, and Goriot's sacrifice is contrasted with Rastignac's remorse.