Genre
Novel
Setting and Context
The actions depicted in the novel take place during the first part of the XIX century, in the town of Saumur, France.
Narrator and Point of View
It is a third-person type of narration.
Tone and Mood
Both the tone and mood of the novel are smooth and patient.
Protagonist and Antagonist
The protagonist is the old Grandet, and the antagonist is French society’s vices embodied in the Grandet’s greed for money.
Major Conflict
The main conflict of the novel concerns money and people’s attitude towatds it. Along with this the novel touches on questions of religion, as well as relationships between parents and children, and between a husband and a wife.
Climax
The climax comes when Eugenie’s mother dies and she signs a document denying any claims on her heritage and gives it fully to her father, the old Grandet. It is the moment when Eugenie enters poverty. This situation changes when the old Grandet dies, but Eugenie has so strongly been accustomed to the mode of life led by her father, that the inherited millions do not change it.
Foreshadowing
It is clear that Eugenie won’t be together with her cousin as they have completely different values and opinions on the world.
Understatement
Love between a husband and a wife is understated in the novel. Though the old Grandet is mean and greedy, he loves his wife and his daughter, but this love is weaker than his love for money. That’s why this type of love is understated and not fully developed.
Allusions
The novel alludes to the French Revolution.
Imagery
The novel is filled with images of characters, nature, and the everyday environment. The images provided in the novel are influenced by the classic literature of the French realistic movement.
Paradox
The main paradox is that the old Grandet has a lot of money, but his family has to live in poverty and scarcely make two ends meet.
Parallelism
N/A
Metonymy and Synecdoche
The Grandet’s only maid is named Nanon, but she has the nickname “La Grande Nanon” or “long-legged Nanon.” It is a metonymy as personal characteristics acquire weight enough to become a name.
Personification
“A thousand confused thoughts came to birth in her mind.”