Rastignac’s Social Ascent

Père Goriot

This thread traces Eugène de Rastignac’s movement from provincial student toward ambitious Parisian man of society.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Family’s Investment A Family’s Investment from "Père Goriot". A Family’s Investment Limited means Eugène de Rastignac’s family lives modestly in the country and sends him a significant share of its income.

A Family’s Investment from "Père Goriot". A Family’s Investment Limited means Eugène de Rastignac’s family lives modestly in the country and sends him a significant share of its income.

A Family’s Investment Limited means Eugène de Rastignac’s family lives modestly in the country and sends him a significant share of its income. A burden of hope He understands that his success may determine the family’s future. That dependence intensifies his ambition before he has chosen what kind of man to become.

First Doors Open First Doors Open from "Père Goriot". First Doors Open An introduction Through family connections, Eugène de Rastignac attends a ball hosted by Claire de Beauséant.

First Doors Open from "Père Goriot". First Doors Open An introduction Through family connections, Eugène de Rastignac attends a ball hosted by Claire de Beauséant.

First Doors Open An introduction Through family connections, Eugène de Rastignac attends a ball hosted by Claire de Beauséant. A glimpse of rank He discovers the magnificence and social power of Parisian high society. The experience changes ambition from an idea into a visible, desirable world.

Learning the Rules Learning the Rules from "Père Goriot". Learning the Rules A costly mistake At his first visit to Anastasie de Restaud, Eugène de Rastignac mentions her father and loses access to her household.

Learning the Rules from "Père Goriot". Learning the Rules A costly mistake At his first visit to Anastasie de Restaud, Eugène de Rastignac mentions her father and loses access to her household.

Learning the Rules A costly mistake At his first visit to Anastasie de Restaud, Eugène de Rastignac mentions her father and loses access to her household. A lesson in status Claire de Beauséant explains how reputation, connections, and women’s influence govern social entry. His education in society advances more quickly than his formal legal studies.

A New Social Position A New Social Position from "Père Goriot". A New Social Position Access through Delphine Eugène de Rastignac becomes close to Delphine de Nucingen and is introduced to fashionable circles.

A New Social Position from "Père Goriot". A New Social Position Access through Delphine Eugène de Rastignac becomes close to Delphine de Nucingen and is introduced to fashionable circles.

A New Social Position Access through Delphine Eugène de Rastignac becomes close to Delphine de Nucingen and is introduced to fashionable circles. Changing habits Clothes, gambling, and expensive entertainments consume his money and time. He begins to trade the discipline of study for the rewards of visibility and influence.

A Challenge to Paris A Challenge to Paris from "Père Goriot". A Challenge to Paris A lonely grave Eugène de Rastignac sees how little society honors the dying man whose story has changed him.

A Challenge to Paris from "Père Goriot". A Challenge to Paris A lonely grave Eugène de Rastignac sees how little society honors the dying man whose story has changed him.

A Challenge to Paris A lonely grave Eugène de Rastignac sees how little society honors the dying man whose story has changed him. A decisive return He looks over Paris, declares war on the world, and goes to dine with Delphine de Nucingen. His compassion survives, but his ambition now accepts the struggle ahead.

Before Eugène’s return to Paris

Late November 1819

Early in his Paris campaign

During the winter season

After Jean-Joachim Goriot’s funeral