His Masterpiece by Émile Zola (Book Analysis)
His Masterpiece by Émile Zola (Book Analysis)
Detailed Summary, Analysis and Reading Guide
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This practical and insightful reading guide offers a complete summary and analysis of His Masterpiece by Émile Zola. It provides a thorough exploration of the novel’s plot, characters and main themes, as well as a useful introduction to the artistic movement of Impressionism and the literary school of naturalism. The clear and concise style makes for easy understanding, providing the perfect opportunity to improve your literary knowledge in no time.
This clear and detailed 62-page reading guide is structured as follows:
- Biography of Émile Zola
- Presentation of His Masterpiece
- Summary of His Masterpiece
- Character study
- Claude Lantier
- Christine
- Pierre Sandoz
- Mahoudeau
- Jory
- Mathilde
- Fagerolles
- Dubuche
- Gagnière
- Irma Bécot
- Analysis of His Masterpiece
- Naturalism
- Autobiographical elements
- Impressionism
- The myth of Pygmalion
About His Masterpiece
His Masterpiece, the fourteenth novel in Émile Zola’s Les Rougon-Macquart cycle, follows the talented painter Claude Lantier as he tries to create the painting that will make his name. However, in spite of his talent, he is never fully satisfied with his work, and the public brutally rejects his avant-garde style. The novel was inspired by Zola’s friendship with the Impressionist painter Paul Cézanne, and offers an unflinching portrayal of the challenges of artistic creation.
About Émile Zola
The novelist and journalist Émile Zola was one of the most celebrated writers of 19th century France. He was the leading figure of the literary school of naturalism, which drew on the scientific advances of the time and sought to explain human behaviour through meticulous observation. He is best known for Les Rougon-Macquart, an ambitious cycle of 20 novels which tells the story of one extended family under the Second French Empire and which illustrates his approach to literature.
Zola was also an influential social thinker: he vocally condemned the Dreyfus affair, and his famous article J’accuse played a major role in the eventual exoneration of the Jewish officer Alfred Dreyfus.
Product details
ISBN | 9782808010771 |
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Publisher | Plurilingua Publishing |
Collection | BrightSummaries.com |
Format | |
Pages | 62 |
File size | 2.2 MB |