Père Goriot
Introduction + Context
Plot Summary
Detailed Summary & Analysis
Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4
Themes
All Themes The False Allure of Wealth Ambition and Corruption Manipulation, Delusion, and Betrayal Family Relationships Emotions, Sincerity, and Calculation
Quotes
Characters
All Characters Père Goriot Eugène de Rastignac Vautrin Madame la Vicomtesse de Beauséant Madame Anastasie de Restaud Madame Delphine de Nucingen Madame Vauquer Victorine Taillefer Mademoiselle Michonneau Bianchon Madame la Comtesse de l’Ambermesnil
Symbols
All Symbols Doors
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Père Goriot

by Honoré de Balzac
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Introduction Intro
Plot Summary Plot
Summary & Analysis
  • Chapter 1
  • Chapter 2
  • Chapter 3
  • Chapter 4
Themes
  • All Themes
  • The False Allure of Wealth Theme Icon
    The False Allure of Wealth
  • Ambition and Corruption Theme Icon
    Ambition and Corruption
  • Manipulation, Delusion, and Betrayal Theme Icon
    Manipulation, Delusion, and Betrayal
  • Family Relationships Theme Icon
    Family Relationships
  • Emotions, Sincerity, and Calculation Theme Icon
    Emotions, Sincerity, and Calculation
Quotes
Characters
  • All Characters
  • Père Goriot
  • Eugène de Rastignac
  • Vautrin
  • Madame la Vicomtesse de Beauséant
  • Madame Anastasie de Restaud
  • Madame Delphine de Nucingen
  • Madame Vauquer
  • Victorine Taillefer
  • Mademoiselle Michonneau
  • Bianchon
  • Madame la Comtesse de l’Ambermesnil
Symbols
  • All Symbols
  • Doors Symbol Icon
    Doors
Theme Wheel Theme Viz
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Download the Teacher Edition
Download this Chart (PDF)
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Madame la Comtesse de l’Ambermesnil

Père Goriot Symbols

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Doors

Doors

Doors symbolize access to the higher echelons of Paris society and, therefore, to personal success. For a vulnerable character like Victorine, for example, the door of her father’s house is repeatedly slammed in her…

read analysis of Doors

Doors Symbol Icon
Previous
Madame la Comtesse de l’Ambermesnil
Previous
Madame la Comtesse de l’Ambermesnil
Next
Doors
Next
Doors

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