A “Divine” Comedy: Eugénie Grandet

Abstract

“The ‘Divine’ Comedy” of Eugénie Grandet exploits some of the results of the decisions to strip the church of all material property, if not all of its spiritual authority. Revolutionary dechristianization had infuriated many of the faithful, though Balzac understood that the Church’s real problems came from a competing religion that was strengthening, that of Mammon, the god of material wealth. We watch as Monsieur Grandet becomes enormously rich and increasingly besotted with his worship of gold. When Eugénie falls in love with Charles and is later abandoned, the novel plays on an allusion to Christ’s promised return at the end of the age. On a spiritual level, Eugénie turns from gold to God. The developing maturity of her gentle nature indicates returning force in the Catholic Church of Balzac’s day.