The Escalation of Lucien’s Press Conflict
Illusions perduesLucien’s personal revenge becomes an expanding cycle of attacks, defections, and retaliation within the partisan press.
increasing
Bearing strength in each event
decreasing
First Targets

First Targets
Opportunity
Newspaper work gives Lucien de Rubempré a public weapon against Sixte du Châtelet and Louise de Bargeton.
Satisfaction
His articles bring the pleasure of revenge while teaching him to confuse circulation with justice.
Attack on Nathan

Attack on Nathan
Commission
Lousteau and other writers persuade Lucien to attack Nathan’s book to serve a publishing and newspaper campaign.
Complication
Lucien’s sincere admiration for the book is overridden by resentment and professional pressure.
Conversion to the Royalists

Conversion to the Royalists
Defection
Lucien de Rubempré moves from the liberal press to the royalist Le Réveil, hoping to regain status and a noble title.
Retaliation
Former colleagues treat his change of allegiance as a betrayal and intensify their attacks.
The Attack on d’Arthez

The Attack on d’Arthez
Demand
Lucien is ordered to attack Daniel d’Arthez’s new book as a condition of defending Coralie’s career.
Moral defeat
He refuses at first, then writes a serious but still damaging review after consulting d’Arthez himself.
Public Exile

Public Exile
Rupture
Lucien’s article angers royalist patrons and destroys the promised royal favor that might have restored his name.
Isolation
The liberal press also rejects him, leaving him exposed between factions he has served.
Late 1821
Early 1822
Early 1822
Before Coralie’s Gymnase debut
After Lucien’s attack on the Garde-des-Sceaux