The Celibates

By De Balzac, Honore

Book Id: WPLBN0000631888
Format Type: PDF eBook:
File Size: 1.27 MB
Reproduction Date: 2005

Title:	The Celibates
Author:	De Balzac, Honore
Volume:
Language:	English
Subject:	Literature, Literature & thought, Writing.
Collections:	Classic Literature Collection, Blackmask Online Collection
Historic Publication Date:
Publisher:	Blackmask Online


Citation APA MLA Chicago De Balzac, B. H. (n.d.). The Celibates. Retrieved from http://www.self.gutenberg.org/

Excerpt
Introduction: Les Celibataires, the longest number of the original Comedie Humaine under a single title, next to Illusions perdues, is not, like that book, connected by any unity of story. Indeed, the general bond of union is pretty weak; and though it is quite true that bachelors and old maids are the heroes and heroines of all three, it would be rather hard to establish any other bond of connection, and it is rather unlikely that any one unprompted would fix on this as a sufficient ground of partnership. Two at least of the component parts, however, are of very high excellence. I do not myself think that Pierrette, which opens the series, is quite the equal of its companions. Written, as it was, for Countess Anna de Hanska, Balzac?s step?daughter of the future, while she was still very young, it partakes necessarily of the rather elaborate artificiality of all attempts to suit the young person, of French attempts in particular, and it may perhaps be said of Balzac?s attempts most of all. It belongs, in a way, to the Arcis series?the series which also includes the fine Tenebreuse Affaire and the unfinished Depute d'Arcis?but is not very closely connected therewith. The picture of the actual Celibataires, the brother and sister Rogron, with which it opens, is one of Balzac?s best styles, and is executed with all his usual mastery both of the minute and of the at least partially repulsive, showing also that strange knowledge of the bourgeois de Paris which, somehow or other, he seems to have attained by dint of unknown foregatherings in his ten years of apprenticeship. But when we come to Pierrette herself, the story is, I think, rather less satisfying. Her persecutions and her end, and the devotion of the faithful Brigaut and the rest, are pathetic no doubt, but tend (I hope it is not heartless to say it) just a very little towards sensiblerie. The fact is that the thing is not quite in Balzac?s line.

Table of Contents
Table of Contents: The Celibates, 1 -- Honore de Balzac, 1 -- THE CELIBATES, 2 -- Introduction, 2 -- I. PIERRETTE, 5 -- Dedication, 5 -- PIERRETTE, 5 -- I. THE LORRAINS, 5 -- II. THE ROGRONS, 11 -- III. PATHOLOGY OF RETIRED MERCERS, 16 -- IV. PIERRETTE, 28 -- V. HISTORY OF POOR COUSINS IN THE HOME OF RICH ONES, 35 -- VI. AN OLD MAID'S JEALOUSY, 43 -- VII. DOMESTIC TYRANNY, 52 -- VIII. THE LOVES OF JACQUES AND PIERRETTE, 59 -- IX. THE FAMILY COUNCIL, 71 -- X. VERDICTS?LEGAL AND OTHER, 76 -- ADDENDUM, 82 -- II. THE VICAR OF TOURS, 84 -- Dedication, 85 -- I, 85 -- II, 95 -- III, 100 -- IV, 112 -- ADDENDUM, 120 -- III. THE TWO BROTHERS, 120 -- Dedication, 121 -- Chapter I, 122 -- Chapter II, 128 -- Chapter III, 137 -- Chapter IV, 147 -- Chapter V, 155 -- Chapter VI, 164 -- Chapter VII, 173 -- Chapter VIII, 185 -- Chapter IX, 194 -- Chapter X, 203 -- Chapter XI, 212 -- Chapter XII, 223 -- Chapter XIII, 233 -- Chapter XIV, 244 -- Chapter XV, 254 -- Chapter XVI, 264 -- Chapter XVII, 276 -- ADDENDUM, 288