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Ball at Sceaux

Ball at Sceaux

By: Honoré de Balzac
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 In the enchanting novella “The Ball at Sceaux,” part of Balzac’s monumental series “The Human Comedy,” we are introduced to Émilie de Fontaine, the spirited youngest daughter of a noble yet struggling family in post-revolutionary France. With her father desperately seeking a suitable match, Émilie, headstrong and somewhat spoiled, has stubbornly dismissed all suitors who do not meet her lofty standards. Among her demands? A husband must be “the son of a peer of France.” As she clings to her ideals, the unfolding events reveal the ironies of love and social status. Balzac’s keen sense of realism and wit not only brought this era to life but also left an indelible mark on European literature. - Summary by Bruce PirieCopyright Fiction Classics Art Literary History & Criticism Social Sciences
Episodes
  • 005 - Section 5

    005 - Section 5
    Feb 20 2026
    In the enchanting novella “The Ball at Sceaux,” part of Balzac’s monumental series “The Human Comedy,” we are introduced to Émilie de Fontaine, the spirited youngest daughter of a noble yet struggling family in post-revolutionary France. With her father desperately seeking a suitable match, Émilie, headstrong and somewhat spoiled, has stubbornly dismissed all suitors who do not meet her lofty standards. Among her demands? A husband must be “the son of a peer of France.” As she clings to her ideals, the unfolding events reveal the ironies of love and social status. Balzac’s keen sense of realism and wit not only brought this era to life but also left an indelible mark on European literature. - Summary by Bruce Pirie
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    26 mins
  • 004 - Section 4

    004 - Section 4
    Feb 20 2026
    In the enchanting novella “The Ball at Sceaux,” part of Balzac’s monumental series “The Human Comedy,” we are introduced to Émilie de Fontaine, the spirited youngest daughter of a noble yet struggling family in post-revolutionary France. With her father desperately seeking a suitable match, Émilie, headstrong and somewhat spoiled, has stubbornly dismissed all suitors who do not meet her lofty standards. Among her demands? A husband must be “the son of a peer of France.” As she clings to her ideals, the unfolding events reveal the ironies of love and social status. Balzac’s keen sense of realism and wit not only brought this era to life but also left an indelible mark on European literature. - Summary by Bruce Pirie
    Show More Show Less
    40 mins
  • 003 - Section 3

    003 - Section 3
    Feb 20 2026
    In the enchanting novella “The Ball at Sceaux,” part of Balzac’s monumental series “The Human Comedy,” we are introduced to Émilie de Fontaine, the spirited youngest daughter of a noble yet struggling family in post-revolutionary France. With her father desperately seeking a suitable match, Émilie, headstrong and somewhat spoiled, has stubbornly dismissed all suitors who do not meet her lofty standards. Among her demands? A husband must be “the son of a peer of France.” As she clings to her ideals, the unfolding events reveal the ironies of love and social status. Balzac’s keen sense of realism and wit not only brought this era to life but also left an indelible mark on European literature. - Summary by Bruce Pirie
    Show More Show Less
    29 mins
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