"Cousin Pons" is one of the last of the 94 novels and short stories that make up Honoré de Balzac's Comédie humaine. In this novel, Balzac expresses his hatred of the bourgeoisie, epitomized by the greedy, money-obsessed M. and Mme Camusot de Marville, who ignore their poor relative Sylvain Pons until they realize he is a very wealthy art collector. The novel develops around their efforts to obtain their relative's property.