Petty Troubles of Married Life, Second Part

** "Petty Troubles of Married Life, Second Part" by Honoré de Balzac is a story that shows the ups and downs of marriage in the 1800s. Using short scenes, the book humorously looks at the little problems that wives and husbands faced. The story starts with two young married women, Caroline and Stephanie, talking about their new lives at a dance. Caroline is bothered by her husband's tobacco habit and his lack of affection, which disrupts her rest. Stephanie complains about her husband’s overwhelming jealousy. Through their talks, we see not only their own troubles but also a bigger picture of what married life was like back then, setting the scene for a close look at love, hopes, and letdowns in relationships. **