Modeste Mignon · Concept
Social Class and Appearance
Balzac contrasts the pretensions of provincial society, such as Madame Latournelle's attempts at aristocratic airs, with the realities of class, wealth, and physical appearance, as exemplified by the detailed descriptions of characters like the hunchback clerk Butscha.
Balzac contrasts the pretensions of provincial society, such as Madame Latournelle's attempts at aristocratic airs, with the realities of class, wealth, and physical appearance, as exemplified by the detailed descriptions of characters like the hunchback clerk Butscha.
The Duc d'Hérouville's noble titles and wealth are contrasted with Modeste's perceived fortune.
Social Class and Appearance is one of the patterns Modeste Mignon by Honoré de Balzac returns to. The chapter notes above are from this edition’s companions — open those chapters to see how the book stages the idea rather than treating the theme as a slogan.