Theme of Obsession in Balzac's 'Cousin Bette' . The characters are obsessed with art, but the bourgeois world of post-Napoleonic Paris lacks originality. The middle class no longer spends their money on nice things. The middle class hoards money, and what is spent is spent on shabby recreations of great works of art – works that these individuals believe will bring them the appearance of social status. In the French middle class, everything has become a copy of what was already a copy. There is no originality in everyday life. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original Essay When copying is practiced regularly, there is no appreciation for the work and sweat that a true artist puts into a single painting or sculpture. This is where the real “art” is found: in the work transformed into an original work, not simply in the aesthetic appearance of a work of art. When the prince wishes to destroy the mold of Wenseslas's clock, it is because he appreciates what is unique. He appreciates the way the artist held the clock while he made it and turned it in his hands as if it were worth something. Above all, he appreciates its originality. Bourgeois society is “chintzy” because it only copies aristocratic society, and with much less class and beauty. Balzac, it seems, has an extraordinary respect for art. The obsession with great works of art is the lesser evil of all his fetishes. Cousin Bette also reveals a surprising obsession with women and feminine beauty. Valerie, in particular, possesses a level of beauty that can drive any man to obsession. Balzac repeatedly compares her to great works of art: her skin is like porcelain or marble; his eyes are like emeralds. She is naturally beautiful, but what makes her truly a goddess is her ability to cultivate her own beauty. The detail with which Valerie articulates the facets of her appearance is astounding: from her use of the "beauty point" to the skill she displays when executing a tea set, she is charming and elegant in every way. Valerie is, in essence, a living work of art: she is the most desirable commodity in the entire novel, more beautiful even than “the almighty Frank.” Perhaps the most obvious obsession cultivated in the novel is the obsession with money. Every important character has a great need for it, or has an identity derived from having or obtaining it. Large sums accumulate in donations or debts, and Balzac calculates them for us so that we can feel for ourselves the impact of this insurmountable tally. The fact is, it seems, that all money-related exchanges are grand in every way. The sums themselves are quite extravagant and the emotions present on both sides of the transaction are equally great. For most of Balzac's characters, every exchange of money is a question of life or death, honor or dishonor, love or chastity. The exchange of money is one of the most charged interactions between Cousin Bette's characters. Additionally, almost every time there is a monetary transaction, the money is spent in exchange for art, love, or both. Wenseslas must sell his art; others must have it. Valérie must sell her love; others must acquire it. The men in the novel spend their worth to wallow in their superficial desire to be young, beautiful, important, and above all, lovable. Men

Essay / Theme of Obsession in Balzac's 'Cousin Bette' . The characters are obsessed with art, but the bourgeois world of post-Napoleonic Paris lacks originality. The middle class no longer spends their money on nice things. The middle class hoards money, and what is spent is spent on shabby recreations of great works of art – works that these individuals believe will bring them the appearance of social status. In the French middle class, everything has become a copy of what was already a copy. There is no originality in everyday life. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original Essay When copying is practiced regularly, there is no appreciation for the work and sweat that a true artist puts into a single painting or sculpture. This is where the real “art” is found: in the work transformed into an original work, not simply in the aesthetic appearance of a work of art. When the prince wishes to destroy the mold of Wenseslas's clock, it is because he appreciates what is unique. He appreciates the way the artist held the clock while he made it and turned it in his hands as if it were worth something. Above all, he appreciates its originality. Bourgeois society is “chintzy” because it only copies aristocratic society, and with much less class and beauty. Balzac, it seems, has an extraordinary respect for art. The obsession with great works of art is the lesser evil of all his fetishes. Cousin Bette also reveals a surprising obsession with women and feminine beauty. Valerie, in particular, possesses a level of beauty that can drive any man to obsession. Balzac repeatedly compares her to great works of art: her skin is like porcelain or marble; his eyes are like emeralds. She is naturally beautiful, but what makes her truly a goddess is her ability to cultivate her own beauty. The detail with which Valerie articulates the facets of her appearance is astounding: from her use of the "beauty point" to the skill she displays when executing a tea set, she is charming and elegant in every way. Valerie is, in essence, a living work of art: she is the most desirable commodity in the entire novel, more beautiful even than “the almighty Frank.” Perhaps the most obvious obsession cultivated in the novel is the obsession with money. Every important character has a great need for it, or has an identity derived from having or obtaining it. Large sums accumulate in donations or debts, and Balzac calculates them for us so that we can feel for ourselves the impact of this insurmountable tally. The fact is, it seems, that all money-related exchanges are grand in every way. The sums themselves are quite extravagant and the emotions present on both sides of the transaction are equally great. For most of Balzac's characters, every exchange of money is a question of life or death, honor or dishonor, love or chastity. The exchange of money is one of the most charged interactions between Cousin Bette's characters. Additionally, almost every time there is a monetary transaction, the money is spent in exchange for art, love, or both. Wenseslas must sell his art; others must have it. Valérie must sell her love; others must acquire it. The men in the novel spend their worth to wallow in their superficial desire to be young, beautiful, important, and above all, lovable. Men - and in particular.

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