Młody Balzac publicysta, cz. II: broszura Bezstronna historia jezuitów

Abstract

This article aims to analyse the brochure Histoire impartiale des Jésuites written by the young Balzac and published in 1824. Some of the main themes of the brochure are: organisation, devotion to a cause, selflessness, loyalty, governance, religion, Jesuits themselves, etc. This study demonstrates that these topics were important for Balzac in all of his literary creation and how they evolved, from for example the novel from the youth period Le Centenaire, ou les Deux Béringheld (1822) up to the works from maturity: Illusions perdues, L’Histoire des Treize, L’Envers de l’histoire contemporaine and other scenes from La Comédie humaine. This article utilises elements of the thematic, genetic, historical (including the reception of the brochure), and intertextual perspectives.