Rubempré

Rubempré is the name of a fictional character, Lucien de Rubempré, created by Honoré de Balzac in his series of novels, La Comédie humaine (The Human Comedy). Lucien is a central figure in several novels, most notably Lost Illusions (Illusions Perdues) and A Harlot High and Low (Splendeurs et misères des courtisanes).

Lucien de Rubempré is portrayed as a handsome, ambitious, and ultimately tragic young man. He possesses literary talent and yearns for fame and recognition in Parisian society. However, he is also naive, easily influenced, and prone to making poor decisions driven by vanity and a desire for quick success.

His journey through Balzac's works explores themes of social climbing, the corrupting influence of Parisian high society, the power of appearances, the clash between provincial idealism and urban cynicism, and the perils of compromising one's integrity in pursuit of wealth and status. He represents the allure and the dangers of ambition and the corrosive effects of a society obsessed with wealth and appearances. His relationship with figures like Vautrin (also known as Jacques Collin) further complicates his character arc and highlights the moral ambiguities within Balzac's fictional world. The name Rubempré, with its aristocratic sound, is itself a contributing factor to Lucien's desire for social validation and ultimately, his downfall.