Gaudissart II

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Set in Paris, the story revolves around a shopkeeper who deceives a wealthy Englishwoman into buying a cheap shawl at a high price, claiming it once belonged to Empress Joséphine. This clever con highlights themes of deception and social class, showcasing Balzac's critique of consumerism and the lengths to which people will go for status. Although Felix Gaudissart, a recurring character in Balzac's works, does not appear, his influence lingers in the story's exploration of the salesman's art.