Originally published in serial form during the winter of 1834/35, Le Père Goriot is widely considered Balzac's most important novel. It marks the first serious use by the author of characters who had appeared in other books, a technique that distinguishes Balzac's fiction. The novel is also noted as an example of his realist style, using minute details to create character and subtext.The novel takes place during the Bourbon Restoration, which brought about profound changes in French society; the struggle of individuals to secure upper-class status is ubiquitous in the book. The city of Paris also impresses itself on the characters—especially young Rastignac, who grew up in the provinces of southern France. Balzac analyzes, through Goriot and others, the nature of family and marriage, providing a pessimistic view of these institutions.

作为巴尔扎克最优秀的作品之一，《高老头》在展示社会生活的广度和深度上具有代表意义。小说以十九世纪初的巴黎为背景，描写了两个平行而又交叉的故事：退休面条商高里奥被两个女儿冷落，悲惨地死在"沃盖之家"的阁楼上；青年拉斯蒂涅在巴黎社会的腐蚀下走上堕落之路。通过寒酸的公寓和豪华的贵族沙龙这两个不断交替的舞台，作家描绘了一幅幅巴黎社会物欲横流的图画，暴露了在金钱支配下人的道德沦丧和冷酷无情，揭示了波旁王朝复辟时期贵族阶级的穷途末路。