Gobseck

Book Review

«Gobseck» by Honoré de Balzac is a vivid example of realistic prose, where the author masterfully unveils the theme of human greed and avarice. The main character, the moneylender Gobseck, is depicted as the embodiment of soulless accumulation and cold calculation. Through Gobseck's character, Balzac illustrates how money can dominate a person, stripping them of all human qualities. Critics note the deep psychological insight and keen observations of the author, as well as his ability to create multi-layered characters. An important theme of the work is also social inequality and the moral decay of society. Balzac demonstrates how wealth and power can distort human souls, turning people into soulless mechanisms. «Gobseck» is not only a social and psychological novel but also a philosophical reflection on the nature of human greed and its destructive consequences.