Biographie d'Honoré de Balzac

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7 May 202205:37

Summary

TLDRHonoré de Balzac, born in 1799, was a prominent French novelist and playwright. He is best known for his series 'La Comédie Humaine,' which includes over 90 novels and stories portraying French society. Balzac's works, such as 'Le Père Goriot' and 'Eugénie Grandet,' are celebrated for their realism and character development. Despite facing numerous failures and financial struggles, Balzac's dedication to literature led to his success and significant influence on 19th-century literature. He married his long-time admirer, Madame Hanska, in 1850, but his health declined, and he passed away the same year.

Takeaways

📚 Honoré de Balzac was born in Tours on May 20, 1799, and came from a family that experienced social ascension, changing their name to de Balzac.
🏡 Balzac was the eldest of four children and experienced a lack of maternal love, which influenced his early life.
🎓 He attended the college of Oratorians in Vendôme and developed a passion for reading, which led to health issues due to excessive study.
📘 In 1814, Balzac's family moved to Paris, and he began studying law and working in a notary's office, experiences that later inspired his writing.
📜 Balzac abandoned his law studies in 1819 to pursue a career in writing, facing initial failures in his attempts at playwriting.
💔 In 1822, Balzac became the lover of Madame de Berny, who provided him financial support during a period of his life.
📈 His writing career took off in the late 1820s, with novels like 'Le dernier chouan' and 'Physiologie du mariage', and he started signing his work as 'de Balzac' from 1830.
💌 Balzac began a long-term relationship with Madame Hanska in 1834, which was both romantic and financially beneficial to him.
📚 He created 'La Comédie Humaine', a collection of over 90 works that aimed to depict the 'natural history of society', featuring 2472 characters.
🏆 Balzac's major works, such as 'La Peau de chagrin', 'Eugénie Grandet', and 'Le Père Goriot', established him as a master of realism and are considered avant-garde for their time.
💍 Balzac married his long-time love, Madame Hanska, in 1850, but his health was in decline, and he passed away on August 18, 1850.

Q & A

When and where was Honoré de Balzac born?
-Honoré de Balzac was born on May 20, 1799, in Tours.
What was Balzac's family background like?
-Balzac's father, Bernard François Balssa, came from a rural background, while his mother, Anne Charlotte Laure Sallambier, was from a bourgeois family. The family experienced social ascension and changed their name to Balzac before the revolution.
How did Balzac's childhood experiences affect him?
-Balzac was placed in the care of a wet nurse until 1803 and was rejected by his mother, which led to a lack of maternal love. This may have influenced his later works.
Where did Balzac study and what was his experience like?
-Balzac studied at the Collège des Oratoriens in Vendôme for six years, where he developed a passion for reading, which was so intense that it concerned his teachers and led to illness.
What career did Balzac initially pursue before becoming a writer?
-Balzac initially pursued a career in law, studying from 1816 and working as a clerk in a notary's office, which later inspired his novel 'Le Colonel Chabert'.
When did Balzac decide to fully commit to writing, and what were his early literary endeavors?
-In 1819, Balzac abandoned his law studies to focus on writing. He attempted to write tragedies like 'Scylla et Cromwell', which were not successful.
Who was Madame de Bernie, and how did she influence Balzac's life?
-Madame de Bernie was Balzac's lover from 1822, who provided him with financial support during his early struggles as a writer.
What was Balzac's first published novel under his own name?
-Balzac's first novel published under his own name was 'Le dernier chouan' in 1829.
What is the significance of 'La Comédie Humaine' in Balzac's literary career?
-La Comédie Humaine is a collection of over 90 novels, stories, essays, and new stories that aim to depict the 'natural history of society' and is considered a major and visionary work in French literature.
Who was Madame Hanska, and what was her relationship with Balzac?
-Madame Hanska was a Polish noblewoman who became Balzac's admirer, financial supporter, and later his wife. They maintained a correspondence that was later published as 'Lettres à l'étrangère'.
What were the major themes in Balzac's works, and how did they reflect the society of his time?
-The major themes in Balzac's works included love, money, justice, war, religion, the passage of time, and philosophy, which collectively reflected the societal issues and concerns of the 19th century.
How did Balzac's health decline, and when did he pass away?
-Balzac suffered from bronchitis and experienced suffocation episodes, eventually developing peritonitis and gangrene. He died on August 18, 1850.

Outlines

00:00

📜 Early Life and Career of Honoré de Balzac

Honoré de Balzac was born in Tours on May 20, 1799, into a family that would rise socially to adopt the name 'de Balzac.' He had two sisters and a half-brother and was sent to a nurse until 1803. Balzac was a voracious reader, which led to health issues during his years at the Oratorian college in Vendôme. The family moved to Paris in 1814, and Balzac began studying law while working in a notary's office, experiences that later inspired his novel 'Le Colonel Chabert.' He abandoned law in 1819 to focus on writing, facing initial failures in playwriting. Balzac became the lover of Madame de Bernier, who financially supported him, and he published several novels under pseudonyms. He also attempted to become a printer but went bankrupt. His first novel, 'Le dernier chouan,' was published in 1829, and he began to sign his works as 'Honoré Balzac' from 1830.

05:06

🌟 Balzac's Literary Success and Legacy

Honoré de Balzac achieved literary success with novels like 'La Peau de chagrin,' 'Eugénie Grandet,' and 'Le Père Goriot,' which established the foundation for his 'Comédie Humaine,' a collection of over 90 works that aimed to depict the 'natural history of society.' This collection, divided into studies of manners, philosophical studies, and analytical studies, featured 2472 characters, some reappearing across different novels. Balzac's innovative approach to character development and interconnected storytelling made him a visionary in French literature. He explored themes like love, money, justice, war, religion, and philosophy. Balzac had a significant influence on 19th-century literature and continues to inspire adaptations in various media. He married his long-time love, Madame Hanska, in 1850, but his health deteriorated, and he died on August 18, 1850, an event that deeply affected Émile Zola, who later gave a eulogy at his funeral.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Honoré de Balzac

Honoré de Balzac is a central figure in the video, a French novelist and playwright known for his series 'La Comédie Humaine,' which presents a panorama of French life in the years after the fall of Napoleon. The video discusses his life, works, and influence, making him a key keyword.

💡Social Ascent

The term 'social ascent' refers to the upward mobility of Balzac's family from a rural background to a more bourgeois status, which is highlighted by the change in their family name. This concept is significant as it reflects the societal changes of the time and Balzac's own experiences of class dynamics.

💡Rejection and Lack of Maternal Love

Balzac's early life was marked by a sense of rejection and a lack of maternal love, which is mentioned as a significant aspect of his childhood. This personal struggle likely influenced his later works, where themes of family dynamics and personal relationships are prevalent.

💡Passion for Reading

Balzac's 'passion for reading' is noted in the script as a defining characteristic during his school years. This passion is crucial as it laid the foundation for his literary career and his extensive knowledge, which he later incorporated into his novels.

💡La Comédie Humaine

La Comédie Humaine is Balzac's magnum opus, a collection of interconnected works that aim to depict French society in the 19th century. The video emphasizes this work as a major keyword because it represents Balzac's most significant contribution to literature and his innovative approach to character development and storytelling.

💡Realism

Realism in literature is a movement that seeks to depict subjects as they are in real life, without embellishment or idealization. Balzac is often considered a master of realism, and the video discusses how his works, such as 'Le Père Goriot,' exemplify this style, offering a stark and honest portrayal of society.

💡Philosophy

Balzac's interest in philosophy is mentioned, indicating his engagement with deeper questions of human existence and knowledge. This interest is reflected in his works, where philosophical themes often underpin the narratives and character motivations.

💡Madame Hanska

Madame Hanska is a key figure in Balzac's personal life, as she was his long-time correspondent and eventual wife. Her support, both emotional and financial, played a significant role in Balzac's life, and their relationship is highlighted in the video as an important aspect of his biography.

💡Financial Struggles

Throughout his life, Balzac faced 'financial struggles,' including bankruptcy as a printer. These struggles are mentioned in the script and are relevant as they reflect the precarious nature of a writer's life during his time and may have influenced the themes of wealth and poverty in his novels.

💡Health Decline

Balzac's 'health decline' is a significant part of the narrative, as it ultimately led to his death. The video mentions his suffering from bronchitis and other health issues, which not only ended his life but also may have influenced the somber and critical tone of some of his later works.

💡Indifference

The 'indifference' that Balzac faced at the time of his death is mentioned as a poignant detail. This indifference contrasts with his significant contributions to literature, highlighting the often overlooked nature of artists' lives and the posthumous recognition they may receive.

Highlights

Honoré de Balzac was born in Tours on May 20, 1799, into a family that would experience social ascension.

Balzac's mother was 32 years younger than his father, indicating a significant age difference.

Balzac was placed in the care of a wet nurse until 1803, reflecting a common practice of the time for children of certain social classes.

He experienced a lack of maternal love, which would later influence his writing.

Balzac's passion for reading was ignited during his six years at the Collège des Oratoriens in Vendôme.

His family moved to Paris in 1814, and Balzac began studying law in 1816, which would later inspire his novel 'Le Colonel Chabert'.

Balzac abandoned his law studies in 1819 to pursue a career as a writer, showing his dedication to literature.

He faced initial failures in his writing career, with his plays 'Scylla' and 'Cromwell' not achieving success.

Balzac became the lover of Madame de Berny in 1822, who provided him with financial support.

He signed several novels under pseudonyms between 1820 and 1825, indicating his early struggles with establishing a literary identity.

Balzac's venture into printing in 1826 ended in bankruptcy, adding to his financial woes.

The publication of 'Le dernier chouan' in 1829 marked the first appearance of his name without the nobiliary particle.

Balzac's 'Physiologie du mariage' was published anonymously, showcasing his versatility as a writer.

His signature on works as 'de Balzac' began in 1830, signifying a new phase in his career.

The success of 'La Peau de chagrin' in 1831 and 'Eugénie Grandet' in 1833 established Balzac as a prominent writer.

Balzac's 'Le Père Goriot' from 1834 to 1835 was avant-garde and laid the groundwork for the 'Comédie Humaine'.

He began a relationship with Madame Hanska in 1834, which would later lead to marriage and financial support.

Balzac's 'Comédie Humaine' is a collection of over 90 works that aim to depict the 'natural history of society'.

The 'Comédie Humaine' features 2472 characters, with 573 appearing in multiple works, showcasing Balzac's intricate storytelling.

Balzac's themes include love, money, justice, war, religion, time, and philosophy, reflecting the breadth of his social commentary.

Despite planning for 137 titles, only 90 of Balzac's 'Comédie Humaine' works were completed.

Balzac's marriage to Madame Hanska in 1850 was short-lived due to his declining health.

He suffered from bronchitis and asphyxiation crises, leading to peritonitis and gangrene, causing his death on August 18, 1850.

Balzac's death was met with indifference, which shocked Emile Zola, who later delivered his eulogy.

Balzac is considered one of the most important literary figures of the 19th century, influencing writers and having his works adapted for film and television.