LA PEAU DE CHAGRIN Meaning and
Definition
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"La peau de chagrin" is a French expression that literally translates to "the skin of sorrow." It mainly refers to the novel of the same name penned by French author Honoré de Balzac in 1831. However, it has also come to acquire a metaphorical meaning in the French language.
In the novel, "la peau de chagrin" symbolizes a talisman in the form of an enchanted wild ass's skin that grants the possessor's desires but simultaneously shrinks with each granted wish, eventually leading to the death of the individual once the skin has completely shrunk. This supernatural skin serves as a representation of a person's life force or vital energy, and its gradual reduction mirrors the gradual depletion of one's own life or essence.
Beyond the novel, "la peau de chagrin" has permeated the French vernacular as a metaphorical term referring to a situation or entity that gradually diminishes or decays over time. It is often used to describe a person's energy, health, wealth, or any resource that gradually depletes or fades away. This expression can also encompass the notion of a contract, organization, or relationship that ultimately leads to one's detriment or ruin, similar to the tragic fate experienced by the protagonist in Balzac's novel.
Overall, "la peau de chagrin" embodies the idea of an irreversible loss or decline, reminding individuals of the fleeting nature of existence and the consequences of excessive desires.
