# Social Class and Ambition in Father Goriot

> Theme guide for Father Goriot by Honoré de Balzac.

The novel explores the rigid social hierarchy of Restoration Paris, where characters like Rastignac are driven by ambition to climb from the decaying Maison Vauquer into the glittering but ruthless world of the aristocracy.

## Links

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