# Corruption and Morality in Father Goriot

> Theme guide for Father Goriot by Honoré de Balzac.

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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_goriot_se/chapters/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.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_goriot_se/themes/corruption_and_morality
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_goriot_se/themes