Émile Zola was a prominent French novelist and playwright, born on April 2, 1840, in Paris and died on September 29, 1902. He is best known for his significant contributions to the literary movement known as Naturalism, which sought to depict life and society with a scientific approach, focusing on the influence of the environment and heredity on human behaviour.
Zola’s literary career began in the 1860s, and he gained fame for his series of novels called “Les Rougon-Macquart,” which explores the lives of a single family under the Second Empire in France. Notable works include “Germinal,” which addresses the struggles of coal miners, and “Nana,” which examines the world of a Parisian courtesan.
Beyond his novels, Zola was also an outspoken political figure. He famously defended Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish army officer wrongfully convicted of treason, in his open letter “J’accuse…!” published in 1898. This act of courage made him a key figure in the fight against anti-Semitism and injustice in France.
Zola’s literary legacy is marked by his detailed realism and social commentary, influencing writers and movements well beyond his time. His works remain significant in the study of literature and social issues.
Lazarus Carpenter - Author 