# Dedication explained — A Daughter of Eve

> Chapter companion for A Daughter of Eve by Honoré de Balzac.

## What happens

Balzac dedicates the book to Madame la Comtesse de Bolognini, recalling their conversations in Milan and the inspiration drawn from her and her daughter Eugénie, contrasting the joyful childhood of the real Eugénie with the harsh upbringing of the fictional Eugénie in the story.

## Themes in this chapter

### Female Education and Socialization

The dedication contrasts the joyful childhood of the real Eugénie with the harsh mother of the fictional Eugénie, highlighting the impact of upbringing on a woman's life.

## Character check-ins

### Eugénie

The fictional Eugénie of the pages, whose childhood is marked by a harsh mother, contrasted with the real Eugénie de Bolognini.

## Key lines

> If you remember, dear lady, the pleasure your conversation gave to a certain traveler, making Paris live for him in Milan, you will not be surprised that he should lay one of his works at your feet, as a token of gratitude for so many delightful evenings spent in your society

Balzac dedicates this work to the countess as thanks for the enjoyable evenings they spent together in Milan, which made him feel at home.

_Balzac expresses gratitude for the countess's hospitality and conversation._

> You have an Eugénie, with more than the promise of beauty, whose speaking smile proclaims her to have inherited from you the most precious gifts a woman can possess, and whose childhood, it is certain, will be rich in all those joys which a harsh mother refused to the Eugénie of these pages.

The countess's daughter Eugénie is beautiful and joyful, unlike the fictional Eugénie who suffered under a strict mother.

_Balzac contrasts the real and fictional Eugénies to highlight the theme of maternal influence._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_daughter_of_eve_se/chapters/dedication
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_daughter_of_eve_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_daughter_of_eve_se/chapters