Balzac's "L'illustre Gaudissart" and Nascent Capitalism

Abstract

Felix Gaudissart, the main character and the prince of commis voyageurs, is the butt of a practical joke in this novel by Balzac, yet the true comedy mocks provincials who cannot move into the world of the aborning Industrial Revolution and are thus condemned to remain immured in their limited and stultifying way of life in a French province.

Keywords:

• Balzac
• L'Illustre Gaudissart
• Industrial Revolution