Sarrasine: A Novella in La Comédie Humaine

As the action of this short but intricately plotted novella begins, the narrator is attending an evening reception given by Count and Countess de Lanty. The narrator has a very pessimistic if not fatalistic view of life. For example, he sees many trees partially covered by snow in front of the Lantys' house. This tranquil winter scene, however, reminds him of nothing less than a "dance of the dead." He then describes the refined elegance of this party as a "dance of the living." The narrator affirms that such opposing realities as life and death, love and violence, and happiness and bitter frustration always exist side by side. He also states that one should not confuse appearance with reality. The story of Sarrasine and Zambinella will, in fact, demonstrate the tragic consequences of mistaking appearance for reality...