Vautrin

Vautrin is a character from Balzac's novel cycle The Human Comedy (La Comédie humaine ).

Background

Vautrin is one of the most important figures in Balzac's novel series " The Human Comedy ", which was written 1829-1850. The author has been inspired by the life of Eugène François Vidocq then known criminal (1775-1857) in order to make his character. Vidocq, as Vautrin in the novel " splendor and misery of courtesans " ( Splendeurs et misères of Courtisanes ) of 1847, after his career as a criminal chief of the Paris police security.

History

Vautrin, his real name is Jacques Collin, first appears on the "Father Goriot ". The novel begins in 1819, Jacques Collin is an escaped convict, who lives in the Vauquer - house under the name Vautrin. Because he had a friend from the " bailed " and took the blame upon himself, he had been sentenced to prison. He is very interested in his roommate Eugene Rastignac, a young ambitious man who wants to become rich and powerful. Vautrin is unmasked and arrested by the police and landed back in the prison of Rochefort.

In the novel " Lost Illusions " Vautrin appears one more time. It is now some time has passed, he is disguised as a Spanish abbot Carlos Herrera. He meets Lucien de Rubempré, a talented but depressed poet, whom he saved from suicide.

" Splendor and misery of courtesans ", the last novel of " Vautrin trilogy ," tells of the rise of Lucien de Rubemprés in the Parisian aristocracy. Herrera's money and his hanky-panky help the young man to success. However, at the end hurt him Vautrin violations of the laws. Both are arrested and Lucien hanged himself in prison.

The death of Lucien leads Vautrin to an inner repentance, he switches sides and is a police officer.

Characterization

Curtius called Vautrin a " criminal grand style who goes his dangerous journey in full consciousness, [ ... ] supported by the superiority of human consciousness that has the earthly conditions tested and recognized that there are only two possible outcomes: either a dull obedience or revolt. " He rebels against the "Company", he fights against unscrupulous, to themselves and to enforce its claims to power.

He is a great and dominant man with a strong virile charisma, knows all the technical and manual tricks, and mastered all the arts of manipulation, but it can be also guided by generosity and magnanimity. He is an enigmatic and colorful character. Since he remains himself excluded from society, he tries vicariously through young and ambitious men, how to get Rastignac and Lucien de Rubempré power and influence.

Whether the relationship between Vautrin and his young charges based on pure friendship or is colored homoerotic, remains open.

Swell

Vautrin appeared in the following novels:

• Le Père Goriot ( Father Goriot, dt ) 1835.
• Illusions perdues ( Lost Illusions, dt ) 1836-1843
• Splendeurs et misères of Courtisanes ( splendor and misery of courtesans, dt ) 1838-1847
• Le Député d' Arcis. ( The Deputy of Arcis, dt ) in 1847.