In nine pages this essay analyzes the novel's final passage in context with the novel as a whole and then offers an explication as to the passage's structure, technique, style, and tone. There are no other sources listed.
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of the novel as a whole. The following discussion will, first of all, place this passage within the context of the narrative, explaining at what stage of the text the
passage occurs, i.e. what has preceded this ending. Then, the passage itself will be examined as to structure, intent, and how it represents Balzacs style of writing. The final
passage of Le Pere Goriot closes the story of a modern day King Lear. Like Shakespeares tragic monarch, Goriot is the victim of his daughters disregard and greed. Goriot was,
at one time, a rich man who made his fortune manufacturing pasta. However, he gives everything he owns to his daughters, Delphine and Anastasie, so that they can marry into
high society. This leaves Goriot to live out his old age in a run down boarding house. Another boarder at this house is young Eugene Rastignac, who has been sent
to Paris by his family to study law. Eugene realizes during the course of the novel that, in Paris, a successful career is much more likely to occur if he
can obtain the favor of the women who belong to high society. In other words, it is connections and who one knows, rather then hard work, that creates the surest
formula for success. Eugenes aristocratic name soon opens some doors for him. Madame Beausant is a member of high society and a distant relation. Visiting Anastasie, Eugene finds that
she is involved in a relationship with Maxime de Trailles, an infamous scoundrel. Eugene also visits Delphine, who has married a rich banker, Nucingen. She has recently been abandoned by
her lover and Eugene takes advantage of this situation to cultivate a relationship with her. He becomes her escort to parties and the theatre, listening to her problems. Goriot is