Gobseck

Gobseck is a novella by Honoré de Balzac, first published in 1835. It is part of his larger work, La Comédie humaine (The Human Comedy), a series of novels and novellas that aimed to depict French society comprehensively.1234

The novella focuses on the character of Gobseck, a usurer driven by avarice and a sense of power. Balzac often explored themes of ambition, the conflict between individuals and society, and the destructive nature of passion in his works. Gobseck exemplifies Balzac's examination of how societal values, particularly material acquisitiveness, can replace traditional moral values. The story delves into the destructive power of obsession, with Gobseck embodying the ruling passion of avarice.123