Coralie’s Career and Fate

Illusions perdues

Coralie’s stage ambitions and love for Lucien bring momentary recognition, but leave her exposed to a system that turns affection into financial and professional risk.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

An Actress’s Promise An Actress’s Promise from "Illusions perdues". An Actress’s Promise Talent Coralie is a striking young performer whose stage presence can transform a weak theatrical production.

An Actress’s Promise from "Illusions perdues". An Actress’s Promise Talent Coralie is a striking young performer whose stage presence can transform a weak theatrical production.

An Actress’s Promise Talent Coralie is a striking young performer whose stage presence can transform a weak theatrical production. Vulnerability Her career depends on managers, wealthy protectors, claqueurs, and newspaper attention.

Choosing Lucien Choosing Lucien from "Illusions perdues". Choosing Lucien Attachment Coralie falls in love with Lucien de Rubempré and refuses to treat him as a mere client or passing diversion.

Choosing Lucien from "Illusions perdues". Choosing Lucien Attachment Coralie falls in love with Lucien de Rubempré and refuses to treat him as a mere client or passing diversion.

Choosing Lucien Attachment Coralie falls in love with Lucien de Rubempré and refuses to treat him as a mere client or passing diversion. Sacrifice She chooses a precarious shared life over Camusot’s money and security.

A Career Bought and Sold A Career Bought and Sold from "Illusions perdues". A Career Bought and Sold Advancement Lucien’s reviews help Coralie gain a prominent engagement, while patronage and publicity shape the apparent success.

A Career Bought and Sold from "Illusions perdues". A Career Bought and Sold Advancement Lucien’s reviews help Coralie gain a prominent engagement, while patronage and publicity shape the apparent success.

A Career Bought and Sold Advancement Lucien’s reviews help Coralie gain a prominent engagement, while patronage and publicity shape the apparent success. Dependence Her progress remains vulnerable to the rivalries of Florine, Nathan, and theater management.

The Failed Debut The Failed Debut from "Illusions perdues". The Failed Debut Defeat Coralie’s first appearance at the Gymnase is undermined by hostile theatrical maneuvering and an unresponsive audience.

The Failed Debut from "Illusions perdues". The Failed Debut Defeat Coralie’s first appearance at the Gymnase is undermined by hostile theatrical maneuvering and an unresponsive audience.

The Failed Debut Defeat Coralie’s first appearance at the Gymnase is undermined by hostile theatrical maneuvering and an unresponsive audience. Aftermath Florine takes over the role, while Coralie’s health and confidence collapse.

A Poor Burial A Poor Burial from "Illusions perdues". A Poor Burial Death Coralie dies after illness and prolonged hardship, reconciled with the Church.

A Poor Burial from "Illusions perdues". A Poor Burial Death Coralie dies after illness and prolonged hardship, reconciled with the Church.

A Poor Burial Death Coralie dies after illness and prolonged hardship, reconciled with the Church. Memory Lucien mourns her beside a body he could scarcely afford to bury, confronting the cost of his ambition.

Late 1821

After Lucien’s newspaper debut

Winter 1821–1822

During Coralie’s opening at the Gymnase

June 1822