Thrse Raquin

About The Author: Zola was the spokesperson for the naturalist novel in France and the leader of a school that championed the infusion of literature with new scientific theories of human development drawn from Charles Darwin (see Vol. 5) and various social philosophers. The theoretical claims for such an approach which are considered simplistic today were outlined by Zola in his Le Roman Experimental (The Experimental Novel 1880). He was the author of the series of 20 novels called The Rougon-Macquart in which he attempted to trace scientifically the effects of heredity through five generations of the Rougon and Macquart families. Three of the outstanding volumes are LAssommoir (1877) a study of alcoholism and the working class; Nana (1880) a story of a prostitute who is a femme fatale; and Germinal (1885) a study of a strike at a coal mine. All gave scope to Zolas gift for portraying crowds in turmoil. Today Zolas novels have been appreciated by critics for their epic scope and their visionary and mythical qualities. He continues to be immensely popular with French readers. His newspaper article JAccuse written in defense of Alfred Dreyfus launched Zola into the public limelight and made him the political conscience of his country.