In contrast with the realism of most of the Balzac's best known works, the novel delves into the fantastic and the supernatural to illustrate philosophical themes. In a castle in Norway near the fjord Stromfjord, S raphit s, a strange and melancholic being, conceals a terrible secret. S raphit s loves Minna, and she returns this love, believing S raphit s to be a man. But S raphit s is also loved by Wilfrid, who considers S raphit s to be a woman (S raph ta). In reality, S raphit s-S raph ta is a perfect androgyne, born to parents who by the doctrines of Emanuel Swedenborg have transcended their humanity, and S raphit s-S raph ta is the perfect example of humanity.