For Love or for Money

Focusing on the concept of realism in Balzac's work, this book delves into how love and money drive the narratives within La Comédie humaine. Through twenty-one chapters, it employs various interpretive methods to explore Balzac's unique strategies that create a strong sense of reality. Each chapter outlines its analytical approach, emphasizing the language and literary devices that shape meaning. The central inquiry examines how Balzac invented realism, culminating in a comprehensive conclusion that addresses this pivotal question.