Essay Questions

Contrast the character of Adeline from that of Bette as brought out in Honore de Balzac's Cousin Bette.

Adeline, Hector's wife, is painted in the novel as a caring and loving woman. Even though her husband hers an affections for other women, she continues to care for him. When Crevel propositions Adeline, she rejects his advances, an event that portrays her faithful character. Bette, on the other hand, is jealous and envious of Adeline as well as her successes. She, in fact, is manipulative and deceptive as she cons men out of their wealth.

How are extravagance and unfaithfulness brought out in Cousin Bette?

Extravagance and unfaithfulness, particularly that characterized by extra-marital affairs, are themes largely embodied by Adeline's husband, Hector. Despite being married, Hector seeks other women to squanders the family's wealth, impoverishing them. For instance, when he becomes infatuated with Valerie, falling deeply in love with her, the baron spoils her with extravagant gifts to his family's financial insecurity. Hector, thus, becomes a symbol of extravagance and unfaithfulness in this work.

Extra-marital affairs dominate Honore de Balzac's novel Cousin Bette. Is this assertion correct? Explain.

Extra-marital affairs in Cousin Bette are almost natural as they dominate the relationships presented in the work. Both Adeline and her daughter Hortense suffer this fate as both their husbands have affairs out of wedlock, and that too with the same person—Valerie. The baron falls head over heels in love with the promiscuous character Valerie. On the other hand, she drags Hortense's husband into her bed, a turn of events that results in their break up. Extra-marital affairs, therefore, dominate the relationships in the story.