Human Comedy Volume XIX

Author: Balzac (French) / Wang Wenrong and others
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1997-08-01
Features: This book serves as a companion piece to The Country Doctor, aiming to portray a priest skilled in healing spiritual or soulful ailments. However, the true protagonist of the novel is the banker's wife, Véronique. This gentle and demure woman has long yearned for a pure love like that of Paul and Virginie since her youth, yet cruel reality has cast her to a passionless and miserly banker. As a wife, Véronique means nothing more to her husband than a dowry of 750,000 francs. Refusing to submit to her fate, she bravely falls in love with the young porcelain factory worker, Taschereau. In pursuit of freedom, Taschereau is tragically executed for theft and sentenced to death. From then on, Véronique is consumed by unbearable sorrow, resorting to secret self-punishment through ascetic practices. Inspired by Father Bonne, she resolves to improve the impoverished conditions of Taschereau's hometown, seeking to atone for her sins by benefiting the local people. In the end, Véronique publicly confesses before her death, finding peace in the arms of God. On one hand, the novel emphasizes the role of religion in promoting goodness, while also highlighting the practical spirit of serving the people. In the author's view, the work of purifying the soul must be combined with guiding the masses toward a path of hard work and prosperity to truly eliminate crime and wickedness.
The Lily of the Valley, this beloved love story, vividly portrays the image of a noblewoman deeply religious and devoted to her duties. Yet, the inner turmoil and suffering of the pure Morso lady are no less than that of Véronique, the adulteress in The Country Priest. Both belong to the category of noble-hearted women, equally yearning for sincere love and a happy life, and both are victims of unhappy marriages. Véronique suffers lifelong punishment for daring to pursue happiness, while Morso lady regrets not having enjoyed life. In the end, both women seek solace and redemption in religion, ultimately dying from heartache. For a woman like Morso lady, the author both praises her virtues and laments her misfortune.