The importance of character in Le Colonel ChabertColonel Chabert presents the relationship between strong and weak characters. A character's degree of strength reflects their ability to survive in society. In society, weak characters often have no identity, profession, or rank. Stronger characters have the power to succeed through their inner confidence, drive, and ambition. Any drastic change brought to the body or soul by the environment corrupts that person's strength, thereby affecting their ability to function properly in society. This comparison of characters allows us to understand Balzac's pessimistic vision of 19th century society. The strength and energy of a character in the novel determines their survival in society. Colonel Chabert is known to be a courageous hero in the past, "... I commanded a cavalry regiment... Eylau. I was very much involved in the successes of the famous charge..." Once s he returns to Paris after his injury, he loses his identity and becomes the “weak character” of society. This is a rapid decline on the “ladder of success” and Chabert is desperately trying to climb back to the top, where he was before. At the beginning of the novel, there is a vision of a slow, non-energetic man, walking gradually. up the stairs to lawyer Derville's office which contrasts with the turbulent energy of the clerks. Chabert reaches Derville's office and is determined to find the lawyer to help him find justice for his misfortune, "...I determined… to come find you. I will tell you about my misfortunes later ." Chabert demonstrates a certain energy that his desire to recover everything he has lost leaves him. This energy to regain his power changes into furious and vengeful energy upon learning what his wife had done, "The eyes of the energetic man shone rekindled in the fires of desire and revenge." After a while, Chabert loses hope and says goodbye forever. He abandons his identity to become a stranger because he realizes that his strength of character is not enough to keep him alive in this society. He sees himself weakening when he sees his wife and children because he doesn't have the heart to break up. his family. He said to his wife: “I will never claim the name that I may have illustrated. I am nothing more than a poor devil named Hyancinthe..