Title: The function of gift exchange in Stendhal and Balzac
Description: "In this book, a selection of writings by Stendhal and Balzac is studied to see how gift exchange functions in these authors' representations of France in the early nineteenth century, a period during which money emerged as a universal social mediator. The gift is studied from two main perspectives: true gift as a means of establishing a positive relationship and gift as a facade masking and facilitating commercial transactions."--BOOK JACKET.
Subjects: Criticism and interpretation, Gifts in literature, Stendhal, 1783-1842, Balzac, honore de, 1799-1850, French fiction, history and criticism, French literature, history and criticism, 19th century
People: Honoré de Balzac (1799-1850), Stendhal (1783-1842)