Lucien’s Changing Relations with Louise

Illusions perdues

Lucien and Louise repeatedly confuse love, protection, and social advancement, making their relationship a measure of his shifting ambitions.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Young Poet’s Devotion A Young Poet’s Devotion from "Illusions perdues". A Young Poet’s Devotion Attraction Lucien de Rubempré falls in love with Louise de Bargeton, whose attention seems to open both an emotional and social future.

A Young Poet’s Devotion from "Illusions perdues". A Young Poet’s Devotion Attraction Lucien de Rubempré falls in love with Louise de Bargeton, whose attention seems to open both an emotional and social future.

A Young Poet’s Devotion Attraction Lucien de Rubempré falls in love with Louise de Bargeton, whose attention seems to open both an emotional and social future. Idealization He imagines her as muse and protector before he understands the expectations attached to her rank.

A Name and a Future A Name and a Future from "Illusions perdues". A Name and a Future Transformation Louise de Bargeton encourages Lucien to use his mother’s noble name and hopes to help secure royal recognition.

A Name and a Future from "Illusions perdues". A Name and a Future Transformation Louise de Bargeton encourages Lucien to use his mother’s noble name and hopes to help secure royal recognition.

A Name and a Future Transformation Louise de Bargeton encourages Lucien to use his mother’s noble name and hopes to help secure royal recognition. Cost Her plan makes his career increasingly dependent on aristocratic patronage and royal favor.

Parisian Abandonment Parisian Abandonment from "Illusions perdues". Parisian Abandonment Separation Louise de Bargeton distances herself from Lucien after Paris society exposes his poverty and uncertain status.

Parisian Abandonment from "Illusions perdues". Parisian Abandonment Separation Louise de Bargeton distances herself from Lucien after Paris society exposes his poverty and uncertain status.

Parisian Abandonment Separation Louise de Bargeton distances herself from Lucien after Paris society exposes his poverty and uncertain status. Response Lucien turns humiliation into resentment and redirects his ambition toward the press.

A Political Reunion A Political Reunion from "Illusions perdues". A Political Reunion Reopening Louise de Bargeton receives Lucien again as a successful-looking poet and a possible political asset.

A Political Reunion from "Illusions perdues". A Political Reunion Reopening Louise de Bargeton receives Lucien again as a successful-looking poet and a possible political asset.

A Political Reunion Reopening Louise de Bargeton receives Lucien again as a successful-looking poet and a possible political asset. Manipulation She revives his hopes while using the prospect of help for David to keep him within her influence.

A Love Without Resolution A Love Without Resolution from "Illusions perdues". A Love Without Resolution Performance Lucien plays at restoring their former intimacy in the salon where their relationship began.

A Love Without Resolution from "Illusions perdues". A Love Without Resolution Performance Lucien plays at restoring their former intimacy in the salon where their relationship began.

A Love Without Resolution Performance Lucien plays at restoring their former intimacy in the salon where their relationship began. Consequence His confidence masks how little he understands Louise’s motives or the danger that her patronage creates for David.

Early 1821

Before the Paris journey

September 1821

During Lucien’s return to Angoulême

Near the end of the Angoulême sequence