Voorheesville Public Library

QUESTIONS

What differences in style do you notice between this novel, written in 1835, and 20th and 21st century fiction you’ve read?
How would you describe 19th century Parisian high society, the world of Goriot’s daughters? What special “codes” do the inhabitants of this realm live by?
Look for the animal images Balzac uses to describe people.
What images does Balzac use to describe the city of Paris?
What are the values of Parisian society? What do Parisians have to do to achieve success in the city?
What moral traits do the different characters represent?
Which characters are happy? What is the source of their contentment?
Why do Delphine and Anastasie treat their father so badly?
Is Goriot a sympathetic character?
Goriot is described as “this suffering Christ of Fatherhood” (p. 197). Is Goriot a Christ figure?
What does Eugène want from life? Are any of his aspirations noble? What is he willing to do to get what he wants?
How does Eugène’s social success change him?
Why do the other boarders send Mademoiselle Michonneau away?
Does Goriot’s decline and death change Eugène? How?
At the end of the novel, Eugène issues a challenge (p. 263) - “It’s between the two of us now!” What or whom is he challenging?
Who is the narrator?
Do you consider this book historical fiction, a portrait of 19th century society, or do you find themes in it that are universal?

Questions compiled by Suzanne Fisher (fishers@uhls.lib.ny.us)


	Père Goriot by Honoré de Balzac
	QUESTIONS What differences in style do you notice between this novel, written in 1835, and 20th and 21st century fiction you’ve read? How would you describe 19th century Parisian high society, the world of Goriot’s daughters? What special “codes” do the inhabitants of this realm live by? Look for the animal images Balzac uses to describe people. What images does Balzac use to describe the city of Paris? What are the values of Parisian society? What do Parisians have to do to achieve success in the city? What moral traits do the different characters represent? Which characters are happy? What is the source of their contentment? Why do Delphine and Anastasie treat their father so badly? Is Goriot a sympathetic character? Goriot is described as “this suffering Christ of Fatherhood” (p. 197). Is Goriot a Christ figure? What does Eugène want from life? Are any of his aspirations noble? What is he willing to do to get what he wants? How does Eugène’s social success change him? Why do the other boarders send Mademoiselle Michonneau away? Does Goriot’s decline and death change Eugène? How? At the end of the novel, Eugène issues a challenge (p. 263) - “It’s between the two of us now!” What or whom is he challenging? Who is the narrator? Do you consider this book historical fiction, a portrait of 19th century society, or do you find themes in it that are universal? Questions compiled by Suzanne Fisher (fishers@uhls.lib.ny.us)