The Family’s Debt Crisis

Illusions perdues

Lucien’s forged bills pass from an act of desperation into a legal and financial crisis that threatens David, Ève, and their household.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Forged Bills The Forged Bills from "Illusions perdues". The Forged Bills Desperation Unable to meet his expenses, Lucien de Rubempré forges David Séchard’s signature on three bills.

The Forged Bills from "Illusions perdues". The Forged Bills Desperation Unable to meet his expenses, Lucien de Rubempré forges David Séchard’s signature on three bills.

The Forged Bills Desperation Unable to meet his expenses, Lucien de Rubempré forges David Séchard’s signature on three bills. Trust He tells David afterward, expecting family loyalty to absorb the consequences.

The First Protest The First Protest from "Illusions perdues". The First Protest Discovery A bill arrives in Angoulême, and Ève Séchard recognizes that David did not sign it himself.

The First Protest from "Illusions perdues". The First Protest Discovery A bill arrives in Angoulême, and Ève Séchard recognizes that David did not sign it himself.

The First Protest Discovery A bill arrives in Angoulême, and Ève Séchard recognizes that David did not sign it himself. Exposure The forged debt risks making the household’s private difficulties a public commercial scandal.

The Return Account The Return Account from "Illusions perdues". The Return Account Escalation The Cointets and Métivier add legal and banking charges through a returned-bill account.

The Return Account from "Illusions perdues". The Return Account Escalation The Cointets and Métivier add legal and banking charges through a returned-bill account.

The Return Account Escalation The Cointets and Métivier add legal and banking charges through a returned-bill account. Pressure A debt of a few thousand francs expands into a larger claim and a threat of detention.

Arrest and Concealment Arrest and Concealment from "Illusions perdues". Arrest and Concealment Capture David Séchard is lured from hiding by a forged letter attributed to Lucien and arrested for debt.

Arrest and Concealment from "Illusions perdues". Arrest and Concealment Capture David Séchard is lured from hiding by a forged letter attributed to Lucien and arrested for debt.

Arrest and Concealment Capture David Séchard is lured from hiding by a forged letter attributed to Lucien and arrested for debt. Escape from further harm His family and supporters work to protect him from continuing pursuit and public disgrace.

A Compromised Settlement A Compromised Settlement from "Illusions perdues". A Compromised Settlement Bargain David and Ève accept a settlement that releases David but transfers control of the invention’s exploitation to the Cointets.

A Compromised Settlement from "Illusions perdues". A Compromised Settlement Bargain David and Ève accept a settlement that releases David but transfers control of the invention’s exploitation to the Cointets.

A Compromised Settlement Bargain David and Ève accept a settlement that releases David but transfers control of the invention’s exploitation to the Cointets. Cost The family gains immediate security at the price of David’s independence as inventor.

During Lucien’s Paris crisis

Spring 1822

May 1822

Late summer 1822

After David’s release