Gobseck

Brief Overview

«Gobseck» is a novella by Honoré de Balzac, first published in 1830, and is part of the series «La Comédie Humaine». The main character, Gobseck, is a greedy and cunning moneylender who wields immense wealth and power over people through their debts. He is a figure both repulsive and pitiable due to his lonely and empty life dedicated to amassing wealth. The novella explores themes of love, greed, human frailty, and illusions through the story of several characters whose lives are intertwined with Gobseck. It portrays Parisian life in the early 19th century, as well as the inner world of the characters, their motivations, passions, and dramas.