# XX: Renée de l’Estorade to Louise de Chaulieu explained — Letters of Two Brides

> Chapter companion for Letters of Two Brides by Honoré de Balzac.

## What happens

Renée writes to Louise, reflecting on the discord between love and marriage, the sacrifice of women to the family, and her own passive role in her marriage to Louis. She contrasts Louise's passionate romance with Felipe with her own domestic life, expressing anxiety about the future and hoping motherhood will fulfill her emotional needs.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love vs. Marriage

Renée contrasts the ideal of love with the reality of marriage, questioning why philosophers count love for nothing in marriage and why women must be sacrificed to the family.

### Female Autonomy and Sacrifice

Renée laments that women are treated as chattel in marriage, and she sacrifices her own desires for her husband's happiness, hoping motherhood will provide fulfillment.

## Character check-ins

### Renée de Maucombe

Renée writes the letter, expressing her philosophical doubts about marriage and her passive, sacrificial role in her relationship with Louis.

### Louise de Chaulieu

Louise is the recipient of the letter; Renée addresses her directly, commenting on her passionate romance with Felipe and urging her to test his devotion.

### Felipe Hénarez

Felipe is mentioned as the object of Louise's affection; Renée advises Louise to test his love before marriage.

### Louis de l'Estorade

Louis is Renée's husband, described as having a perfect temper and an active, self-absorbed love; Renée calls him 'my child' in private.

## Key lines

> If love be the life of the world, why do austere philosophers count it for nothing in marriage?

Renée questions why love is disregarded in the institution of marriage by serious thinkers.

_Renée opens the letter with a philosophical challenge to the conventional view of marriage._

> Formerly I was a person, now I am a chattel.

Renée feels she has lost her individuality and become property through marriage.

_Expresses Renée's sense of dehumanization within her marital role._

> Your soul expands in the atmosphere of a lawful passion. For you, virtue will coincide with pleasure.

Renée tells Louise that her love for Felipe is both virtuous and joyful, unlike Renée's own experience.

_Highlights the contrast between Louise's passionate romance and Renée's dutiful marriage._

> I see in marriage, as it at present exists, two opposing forces which it was the task of the lawgiver to reconcile.

Renée perceives marriage as inherently conflicted, with opposing forces that lawmakers failed to harmonize.

_Renée critiques the legal and social structure of marriage._

> On motherhood I have staked enormously; my credit account is now too large, I fear I shall never receive full payment.

Renée has invested all her hopes in motherhood and fears she may not be repaid with the happiness she expects.

_Reveals Renée's anxiety about whether motherhood will fulfill her emotional needs._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/letters_of_two_brides_se/chapters/xx-ren-e-de-l-estorade-to-louise-de-chaulieu
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- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/letters_of_two_brides_se/chapters