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''Eugénie Grandet'' is set in the town of [[Saumur]], which should have been familiar to Balzac since he grew up in [[Tours]] about 35 miles away. The two towns were both on the Loire, with châteaux, and of similar size; Tours was much more important historically and politically, which may explain why Balzac allows the impression in the opening that the Grandet residence was Saumur's most important building. Though Balzac grew up in the aftermath of the Revolution, he came to adulthood in Paris under the restored Bourbon monarchy (Louis XVIII & Charles X) and wrote most of what we know under the [[July Monarchy]] 1830-1848 of Louis Philippe which came to power when the revolution of 1830 deposed the Bourbon monarchy. It is worth noting that though the Republic had replaced the Livre by the Franc (of equal value) both continued to circulate as did the Louis (20 livres).
''Eugénie Grandet'' is set in the town of [[Saumur]], which should have been familiar to Balzac since he grew up in [[Tours]] about 35 miles away. The two towns were both on the Loire, with châteaux, and of similar size; Tours was much more important historically and politically, which may explain why Balzac allows the impression in the opening that the Grandet residence was Saumur's most important building. Though Balzac grew up in the aftermath of the Revolution, he came to adulthood in Paris under the restored Bourbon monarchy (Louis XVIII & Charles X) and wrote most of what we know under the [[July Monarchy]] 1830-1848 of Louis Philippe which came to power when the revolution of 1830 deposed the Bourbon monarchy. It is worth noting that though the Republic had replaced the Livre by the Franc (of equal value) both continued to circulate as did the Louis (20 livres).


Felix Grandet, master cooper, married the daughter of a wealthy timber merchant at a time when the French Republic had confiscated the lands of the Church in the district of Saumur. When the land was auctioned his wife's dowry and his existing savings enabled him to buy substantial property, including some of the best area under vines, all at a very satisfactory price. Though there was little sympathy locally for the Revolution, Grandet rose in esteem and became mayor, later yielding the post under the Empire because Napoleon had no liking for republicans. At this time his only daughter was ten years old and in that same year more wealth fell into Grandet's lap by way of inheritance of the estates of his mother-in-law, grandfather-in-law, and grandmother.
Felix Grandet, master cooper, married the daughter of a wealthy timber merchant at a time when the French Republic had confiscated the lands of the Church in the district of Saumur. When the land was auctioned his wife's dowry and his existing savings enabled him to buy substantial property, including some of the best area under vines, all at a very satisfactory price. Though there was little sympathy locally for the Revolution, Grandet rose in esteem and became mayor, later yielding the post under the Empire only because Napoleon had no liking for republicans. At this time his only daughter was ten years old and in that same year more wealth fell into Grandet's lap by way of inheritance of the estates of his mother-in-law, grandfather-in-law, and grandmother.


We gradually learn of Grandet's parsimonious habits which included rarely admitting townspeople to his house. The principal exceptions were his banker des Grassins and his notary Cruchot, both of whom understood better than many the extent of Grandet's wealth and that since he was 60 in 1819 when much of the action is set, that the wealth must one day devolve on Eugénie. Naturally, they had candidates to marry her in the form of Cruchot's nephew President Cruchot de Bonfons who was president of the court of first instance, and the des Grassins son, Adolphe des Grassins. The townspeople took a lively interest in the competition, which is only natural since some sort of inheritance was the major route to prosperity in the early nineteenth century. <ref>Thomas Picketty, Capital in the twenty-first century, Harvard, 2014</ref>


Throughout this sequence we are treated to details of Felix Grandet's parsimony; this may have developed initially through sheer lack of funds but by now is total vice. He counts out slices of bread in the morning though actually never parting with cash for it since one of his tenants pays part of his rent in kind; most other consumables are supplied in a similar way. Mme Grandet is given no more than six francs at a time for pocket money. Though his house is impressive externally it is old and run-down, and he is too miserly to repair it; their servant Nanon puts her foot through a rotten stair but faith fully saves the bottle she carries. The novel illustrates Balzac's belief that money had taken over as the national god. </ref> <ref group=note> see [[Cousin Pons]] for more on this theme towards the end of Balzac's career</ref>




However, he is very miserly, and he, his wife, daughter, and their servant Nanon live in a run-down old house which he is too miserly to repair. His banker des Grassins wants Eugénie to marry his son Adolphe, and his lawyer Cruchot wants Eugénie to marry his nephew President Cruchot des Bonfons, both parties eyeing the inheritance from Felix. The two families constantly visit the Grandets to get Felix's favour, and Felix in turn plays them off against each other for his own advantage.


On Eugénie's birthday, in 1819, Felix's nephew Charles Grandet arrives from [[Paris]] unexpectedly at their home having been sent there by his father Guillaume. Charles does not realise that his father, having gone bankrupt, is planning to take his own life. Guillaume reveals this to his brother Felix in a confidential letter which Charles has carried.
On Eugénie's birthday, in 1819, Felix's nephew Charles Grandet arrives from [[Paris]] unexpectedly at their home having been sent there by his father Guillaume. Charles does not realise that his father, having gone bankrupt, is planning to take his own life. Guillaume reveals this to his brother Felix in a confidential letter which Charles has carried.

Revision as of 15:51, 27 January 2020

Eugénie Grandet
Illustration from an 1897 edition
by Daniel Hernández
AuthorHonoré de Balzac
LanguageFrench
SeriesLa Comédie humaine
PublisherMadame Béchet – Charpentier – Furne
Publication date
1833
Publication placeFrance
Preceded byUrsule Mirouët 
Followed byPierrette 

Eugénie Grandet is a novel first published in 1833[1] by French author Honoré de Balzac. While writing it he conceived his ambitious project, The Human Comedy, and almost immediately prepared a second edition by revising the names of some of the characters such that Eugénie Grandet then fitted into the section: Scenes from provincial life (Scènes de la vie de province) in the Comédie. He dedicated the edition to Maria Du Fresnay his then lover and mother of his daughter, Marie-Caroline Du Fresnay, whom some regard as the "real" Eugénie Grandet. [note 1]

Plot summary

Eugénie Grandet is set in the town of Saumur, which should have been familiar to Balzac since he grew up in Tours about 35 miles away. The two towns were both on the Loire, with châteaux, and of similar size; Tours was much more important historically and politically, which may explain why Balzac allows the impression in the opening that the Grandet residence was Saumur's most important building. Though Balzac grew up in the aftermath of the Revolution, he came to adulthood in Paris under the restored Bourbon monarchy (Louis XVIII & Charles X) and wrote most of what we know under the July Monarchy 1830-1848 of Louis Philippe which came to power when the revolution of 1830 deposed the Bourbon monarchy. It is worth noting that though the Republic had replaced the Livre by the Franc (of equal value) both continued to circulate as did the Louis (20 livres).

Felix Grandet, master cooper, married the daughter of a wealthy timber merchant at a time when the French Republic had confiscated the lands of the Church in the district of Saumur. When the land was auctioned his wife's dowry and his existing savings enabled him to buy substantial property, including some of the best area under vines, all at a very satisfactory price. Though there was little sympathy locally for the Revolution, Grandet rose in esteem and became mayor, later yielding the post under the Empire only because Napoleon had no liking for republicans. At this time his only daughter was ten years old and in that same year more wealth fell into Grandet's lap by way of inheritance of the estates of his mother-in-law, grandfather-in-law, and grandmother.

We gradually learn of Grandet's parsimonious habits which included rarely admitting townspeople to his house. The principal exceptions were his banker des Grassins and his notary Cruchot, both of whom understood better than many the extent of Grandet's wealth and that since he was 60 in 1819 when much of the action is set, that the wealth must one day devolve on Eugénie. Naturally, they had candidates to marry her in the form of Cruchot's nephew President Cruchot de Bonfons who was president of the court of first instance, and the des Grassins son, Adolphe des Grassins. The townspeople took a lively interest in the competition, which is only natural since some sort of inheritance was the major route to prosperity in the early nineteenth century. [2]

Throughout this sequence we are treated to details of Felix Grandet's parsimony; this may have developed initially through sheer lack of funds but by now is total vice. He counts out slices of bread in the morning though actually never parting with cash for it since one of his tenants pays part of his rent in kind; most other consumables are supplied in a similar way. Mme Grandet is given no more than six francs at a time for pocket money. Though his house is impressive externally it is old and run-down, and he is too miserly to repair it; their servant Nanon puts her foot through a rotten stair but faith fully saves the bottle she carries. The novel illustrates Balzac's belief that money had taken over as the national god. </ref> [note 2]


On Eugénie's birthday, in 1819, Felix's nephew Charles Grandet arrives from Paris unexpectedly at their home having been sent there by his father Guillaume. Charles does not realise that his father, having gone bankrupt, is planning to take his own life. Guillaume reveals this to his brother Felix in a confidential letter which Charles has carried.

Charles is a spoiled and indolent young man who is having an affair with an older woman. His father's ruin and suicide are soon published in the newspaper, and Felix tells Charles the cause of his father's suicide. Felix considers Charles to be a burden and plans to send him off overseas to make his own fortune. However, Eugénie and Charles fall in love with each other, and hope to eventually marry. She gives him some of her own money to help with his trading ventures.

Meanwhile, Felix hatches a plan to profit from his brother's ruin. He announces to Cruchot des Bonfons that he plans to liquidate his brother's business, so avoid a declaration of bankruptcy, and therefore save the family honour. Cruchot des Bonfons volunteers to go to Paris to make the arrangements, provided Felix pays his expenses. The des Grassins then visit just as Felix and Cruchot des Bonfons are in the middle of discussions, and the banker des Grassins volunteers to do Felix's bidding for free, so Felix accepts des Grassins' offer instead of Cruchot des Bonfons'. The business is liquidated, and the creditors get 46% of their debts, in exchange for their bank bills. Felix then ignores all demands to pay the rest, whilst selling the bank bills at a profit.

By now, Charles has left to travel overseas. He entrusts Eugénie with a small gold-plated cabinet which contains pictures of his parents.

Later, Felix is angered when he discovers that Eugénie has given her money (all in gold coins) to Charles. This leads to his wife's falling ill with grief, and his daughter's being confined to her room. Eventually they are reconciled, and Felix reluctantly agrees that Eugénie can marry Charles.

In 1827, Charles returns to France. By now both of Eugénie's parents have died. However, Charles is no longer in love with Eugénie. He has become very wealthy through his trading, but he has also become extremely corrupt. He becomes engaged to the daughter of an impoverished aristocratic family, in order to make himself respectable. He writes to Eugénie to announce his marriage plans and to break off their engagement. He also sends a cheque to pay off the money that she gave him. Eugénie is heartbroken, especially when she discovers that Charles had been back in France for a month when he wrote to her. She sends back the cabinet.

Eugénie then decides to become engaged to Cruchot des Bonfons on two conditions: one is that she remains a virgin after marriage, and the other is that he agrees to go to Paris to act for her to pay off all the debts due Guillaume Grandet's creditors. Cruchot des Bonfons carries out the debt payment in full. This comes just in time for Charles to find that his future father-in-law objects to letting his daughter marry the son of a bankrupt. When Charles meets Cruchot des Bonfons, he discovers that Eugénie is in fact far wealthier than he is. During his brief stay at Saumur, he had assumed from the state of their home that his relatives were poor.

Cruchot des Bonfons marries Eugénie hopeful of becoming fabulously wealthy. However, he dies young, and at the end of the book Eugénie is a very wealthy widow of 33 having now inherited her husband's fortune. At the end of the novel, although by the standards of the time she should be unhappy – childless and widowed – she is instead quite content with her lot. She has learned to live life on her own terms, and has learned of the hypocrisy and shallowness of the bourgeois, and that her best friends will come from the lower classes.

Notes

  1. ^ see page on Maria Du Fresnay and reference in the Balzac article
  2. ^ see Cousin Pons for more on this theme towards the end of Balzac's career


Notable Translations

Fyodor Mikhaylovich Dostoyevsky began his career by translating the novel into Russian, in 1843.[3]

Adaptations

For cinema:

The Conquering Power

For radio:

  • Eugenie Grandet (2014) by Rose Tremain (adaptor), for BBC Radio 4

For television:

See also

References

  1. ^ Barthelme, Donald (17 August 1968). "Eugenie Grandet". New Yorker. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  2. ^ Thomas Picketty, Capital in the twenty-first century, Harvard, 2014
  3. ^ "Dostoyevsky's Eugénie Grandet". Retrieved 6 April 2018.
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