 Scott was also a profound influence on Balzac , particularly in his use of real historical events as the backdrop for his novels . Although history is not central to Le Père Goriot , the post @-@ Napoleonic era serves as an important setting , and Balzac 's use of meticulous detail reflects the influence of Scott . In his 1842 introduction to La Comédie humaine , Balzac praises Scott as a " modern troubadour " who " vivified [ literature ] with the spirit of the past " . At the same time , Balzac accused the Scottish writer of romanticizing history , and tried to distinguish his own work with a more balanced view of human nature . 
