The Hated Son

"The Hated Son" by Honoré de Balzac is a story set in 17th century France, a period of civil war, that follows the life of Comtesse Jeanne d'Herouville, who is deeply afraid for her unborn child because of her husband, the Comte d'Herouville, and his bullying and cruel behavior. The themes of family, love, and dread are central to the novel. The story begins with Comtesse Jeanne giving birth during a huge storm. She is very worried about how her husband will react to the child's birth, health and whether he accepts the child as his own; she thinks about her awful marriage and all her unhappiness thus far in life. The story also describes her husband as scary and menacing and the home as an awful and oppressive place, which stands in stark contrast to the pure and innocent traits of the child she is trying to protect. As she is giving birth, the countess is experiencing great worry because she senses that the count is a threat to her and their child. All these combined elements create a story that explores maternal love and the harsh conditions during the aristocracy period.