# Greed and Covetousness in The Celibates

> Theme guide for The Celibates by Honoré de Balzac.

Material desires and envy drive much of the plot, from Birotteau's obsessive longing for Chapeloud's rooms to the financial scheming over inheritances, illustrating how greed corrupts moral principles and personal relationships.

## Where it surfaces

- [Story II: The Vicar of Tours](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_celibates_se/chapters/story-ii-the-vicar-of-tours): Birotteau's intense desire for Chapeloud's rooms drives the plot and leads to his conflict with Troubert.
- [The Vicar of Tours](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_celibates_se/chapters/the-vicar-of-tours): The conflict is driven by covetousness for property and status, as seen in Troubert's inheritance of Gamard's fortune and the dispute over Chapeloud's portrait.
- [A Bachelor’s Establishment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_celibates_se/chapters/story-iii-a-bachelor-s-establishment): Madame Descoings' obsession with the lottery and Philippe's early greed for money highlight the theme of covetousness.
- [Dedication](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_celibates_se/chapters/dedication): The dedication warns against a society based on money and unbridled self-interest, which condones every means to achieve success.
- [A Bachelor's Establishment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_celibates_se/chapters/a-bachelor-s-establishment): Philippe schemes to inherit his uncle's fortune and marry into nobility, while Madame Descoings' gambling debts ruin Agathe.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_celibates_se/themes/greed_and_covetousness
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_celibates_se/themes