Balzac: Colonel Chabert 1832

I. Themes:

A. Love vs. power

B. Virtue vs. success

C. Male vs. female

D. The rich and the poor

E. The anxieties of business and property

F. Justice: the law vs. equity

G. The question of identity: name, costume, accomplishments, past and future vs. present

1. “Hyacinthe” vs. “Count Chabert”

2. Hyacinths are sometimes associated with rebirth. Apollo did not allow Hades to claim Hyacinth. Instead, Apollo made a flower, the hyacinth, from Hyacinth's spilled blood.

H. Innocence and Experience

I. Nobility vs. greed

J. Clod and the Pebble

K. Soldier vs. Countess

L. Revolution/Empire vs. Restoration

M. Honor and Innocence and Love vs. Money/Status/Experience

N. Poverty vs. Property

O. Self-sacrifice vs. Egotism

P. Compromise/negotiation vs. principle

Q. The deficiencies of each

1. Derville tries to mediate—honest broker, but it doesn’t work

II. Chapter by chapter

A. Ch. 1 1-14

1. Lawyers office; gutter jumpers abuse

2. Mockery of the Restoration—Louis XVIII

3. General cynicism

4. Restoring property of pre-Revolutionary aristocracy—dens of chicanery

5. Contrast to unhappy man; impassive

6. Lack of compassion; mockery

B. Ch. 2 15-35

1. Return of Chabert, late at night

2. Derville introduced; Chabert seen through his eyes

3. Dirty wig and scar

4. Resurrecting himself; Chabert tells his story of battle—the heroic past

5. Compassionate people rescue him—contrast to previous chapter; stories of rescue

6. Then mocked when he claims to be Chabert in Stuttgart—theme of his name

7. Wants to sue his wife

8. Happy and hopeful and resurrected by Derville’s help—felicities arrived after hope is lost 28; his childishness and innocence

9. Generalization about women 29; story of his approach to wife; she rebuffed him

10. More miseries; back to Paris; his old home gone; trying to see his wife; desire for vengeance

11. Derville suggests compromise; Chabert accepts and calls him good soldier 35

C. Ch. 3 37-39

1. Derville is ambivalent about his own patriotism…Chabert’s story confirmed; lawyer is fair-minded; figuring out compromise settlement; Chabert’s legacy to almshouses vs. wife’s cheating the poor; Chabert—give it away; sacrifice vs. claiming self. Derville’s noble sacrifice running counter to his social and economic ambition. Chabert giving up ambition. 39

D. Ch. 4 41-67

1. Derville finds Chabert in Faubourg St-Marceau—Vergiaud Dairyman; dirty but wholesome scene—tutoring kids; giving away money; loyalty; Chabert calm and serene 45. Obligations are met by honor, not legalism; but Chabert is convinced against his will that in order to proceed he’ll have to compromise even more. Vergiaud has made imprudent business decision; now in debt. Derville says its better not to own property. 55

2. In coach to Countess with monkey, Derville deliberates; Balzac fills in the story and preps for the second encounter

3. Encounter with Countess is all politics, legalism, blackmail and extortion, leading to legal agreement and concession. She concedes on basis of a trial possibly leading to her being deserted by present husband. Dialogue contest: pp. 62-67—dramatized

4. He wins hands down; she’s willing to settle out of court—Chabert will get his name and money; his death certificate and his marriage will be annulled. But she asks “Does he still love me?” counting on “feminine wiles.” 67

E. Ch. 5 69-77

1. Chabert, dressed and rejuvenated, comes to law office and received with respect by the clerks—“noble remnants of our former army, one of those heroic men who reflect our national glory.” 69

2. He and countess are in separate rooms. Derville negotiates with Countess and haggles with her; she doesn’t want involvement in the lawsuit that would annul the first marriage and objects to the payment demanded for Chabert.

3. Chabert breaks in and ends the negotiation—“like an overgrown child.” Then apologizes.

4. She waits for him in the stairway and invites him into her carriage; he’s overwhelmed.

F. Ch. 6 77-89

1. Chabert taken in by the Countess’ act. He feels regret; feels paternal love. Her triumph reverses Derville’s. She pleads innocence; works him at her beautiful country home

2. Narrator keeps talking of his noble soul

3. He finds reward in making beloved woman happy 80

4. Misfortune increases meanness and distrust in some, improves the goodness in those with kind hearts [this religious dualism is hard to accept] 81

5. She’s weary with the masquerade…carries through intrique with Delbecq 83

6. More declarations of sacrifice by Colonel; alternating trust and distrust

7. Children—they are squabbling, but he falls for her appeal for their sake 85

8. Duel of generosity—he will willingly sink back into the grave; she cant accept—but she plays him.

9. Delbecq urges him to take annuity in return for giving up all claims even to his name and past; he refuses

10. Then he overhears Countess and Delbecq reveal their scheme; slaps the attorney’s cheeks and then gives up.

11. He offers total sacrifice because he doesn’t want to fight her any more 89 and promises on his honor that she wont. She’s happy.

G. Ch. 7 91-95

1. Chabert disappears. Derville is convinced by Delbecq that he was an imposter and that Derville was taken in and is out 2000 francs

2. Six months later Derville sees Hyacinthe, whom he thinks now is an imposter, in the courtroom arrested as a vagabond—his face is noble and proud, and asks to be paid since the Countess never did.

3. Shocked at the new deceit, Chabert writes a note to the Countess telling her to pay Derville and expressing appreciation to the lawyer.

4. Also scorn for the outward life which most men hold dear; sickened with disgust for humanity; cant be a soldier; poor Napoleon on St. Helena

5. The countess pays Derville.

H. Ch. 8 97-101

1. 1840—how many years later?

2. Derville and Godeschal see Chabert outside almshouse under an elmtree—one of 2000 wretches lodged there

3. Seems almost happy; Derville calls him whole poem—Romantics say, real work of art

4. Madame Ferraud—a bit too religious—she was found by him in the street

5. Chabert amusing himself drawing lines in the sand

6. Incoherent ramblings

a) not Chabert, Hyacinthe; he is not married; he is very lucky—marriage hearse; takes their money; Long live Napoleon

7. Another inmate says “He’s an old rascal full of philosophy and imagination.” Thoreau

8. Derville’s despair about the law: three groups in black robes; priests, doctors, lawyers—he’s seen the most terrible horrors—people at law

9. Moving to the country with wife; sick of Paris; Godeschal says he’s seen plenty