faqs.org » Abstracts Index » Abstracts » Regional focus/area studies

Hugo's "egouts" and 'Le Ventre de Paris.' (Victor Hugo)

Article Abstract:

Emile Zola's 1873 work 'Le Ventre de Paris' may be seen as an allegory and a representation of Zola's inability to come to terms with his precursor, Victor Hugo. Just as the belly of the butchershop is a replica in miniature of Victor Hugo's sewers, the belly of Les Halles is Zola's take on Hugo's sewers. The discovery of 'l'ogre' or Victor Hugo at the center of Les Halles shows that what we have is not just Zola's rendering of Hugo's sewers, though, but a representation of Hugo, Zola's precursor. Florent's failure in Les Halles represents Zola's lost battle with Victor Hugo.

19th century AD, French literature, Le Ventre de Paris (Book)

---

"A l'ombre d'une vieille cathedrale romane": the medievalism of Gautier and Zola

Article Abstract:

'Le Reve' by Emile Zola is discussed, with a focus on Zola's attitude toward Romanticism and medievalism and the work's historical and ideological context. Zola's previous criticism of Romanticism in authors such as Theophile Gautier is also considered.

Medievalism, Romanticism, Gautier, Theophile

---

Monceau, Camondo, 'La Curee,' 'L'Argent': history, art, evil

Article Abstract:

Two works by Emile Zola, 'La Curee' and "L'Argent,' are discussed in relation to anti-semitism. Associations between Zola and the Camondo family of the rue de Monceau are a focus of the study.

Analysis, French fiction, Antisemitism in literature, Antisemitic literature

Some parts © 2012 Advameg, Inc.