Human Comedy, Volume 10

Author: (French) Balzac / Yuan Shuren
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1997-08-01
Features: The Thirteen is a part of The Study of Manners: Scenes from Parisian Life. It consists of three novellas: The Head of the Guild of Foulques, The Duchess of, and The Lady with the Golden Eyes. In 19th-century France and Europe, various secret societies and gang organizations emerged. These groups generally had political or economic objectives. They maintained strict discipline internally and were bound by unwavering loyalty to one another. In pursuit of maintaining or seizing certain interests, they often committed shocking acts. The Thirteen depicts such a mysterious and powerful social group. They established their authority above the kingdom and the law through oaths and brotherhood among their members. This is a unique gang, different from the outlaws in Cooper's works and the pirates in Byron's tales. Instead, they are well-dressed, modern-day "high society" robbers wearing khaki gloves. They are highly skilled, brave, fearless, and capable of operating beyond any social regulations. They reject the existing norms and customs of society, submitting only to the demands of passion or profit. Such social groups are the product of brutal survival competition and have not disappeared from the world to this day.