History of the Rise and Fall of a Socialite

Author: Balzac
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-10-01
Features: Paper Ecology Book Series · Collection of Foreign Literary Classics. The Rise and Fall of the Scarlet Pimpernel narrates the secret love between the courtesan Esther and the young poet Lucien, who are discovered and attempt suicide to conceal their past. The escaped convict Vautrin rescues her and takes control of her. Vautrin also becomes Lucien's master for saving his life and plans to avenge the ruling class through him. He forces Esther to return to her old trade, and she commits suicide in resentment. Lucien also takes his own life in prison, leaving Vautrin severely traumatized. After a fierce struggle with the authorities in prison, he finally submits to the government and becomes the head of security at the Paris Police Department.