Honoré de Balzac and the Rise of Realism in Literature
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69760/aghel.02500106Keywords:
Honoré de Balzac, Literary Realism, La Comédie Humaine, 19th-Century French Literature, Social Dynamics, Realism in Literature, Post-Revolutionary France, Complex CharactersAbstract
Honoré de Balzac is widely regarded as a foundational figure in the development of literary realism, a movement that emerged in the 19th century as a response to Romanticism. Through his monumental series La Comédie Humaine, Balzac captured the complexities of post-revolutionary French society with unparalleled depth and precision. This article explores the historical context that shaped Balzac’s works, highlighting his detailed portrayals of characters, settings, and social dynamics. Key features of Balzac’s realism, such as his multidimensional characters and vivid depictions of urban and rural life, are analyzed through seminal works like Eugénie Grandet, Father Goriot, and Lost Illusions. The enduring influence of Balzac’s realism on authors such as Émile Zola and Gustave Flaubert, as well as its relevance in contemporary literature, is also examined. While critiques of his exhaustive descriptions and character archetypes persist, Balzac’s legacy as a chronicler of human nature and societal transformation remains undisputed. This study reaffirms his pivotal role in the rise of realism and his lasting impact on the literary canon.
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