Zola: Naturalist Experimentalist

Summary & Questions

This presentation discusses Émile Zola's naturalist and experimentalist theories in literature, contrasting them with Romanticism and exploring concepts like fatalism and determinism.

Naturalist Novelist: Scientific Theory

The core argument is that literature should move away from Romanticism and adopt a scientific approach, treating novels as experiments. Instead of merely describing phenomena, writers should study and explain them using the experimental method.

Observer vs. Experimentalist

• Phenomena: Observed actions resulting from real-world consequences.

• Observer: Someone who simply watches and records surroundings and phenomena.

• Experimentalist: Someone who not only observes but also studies their surroundings and phenomena.

Zola emphasizes that "observation indicates, experimentation teaches."

Experimental Theory

Zola believed literature should be as important as chemistry and physiology, rejecting romantic notions. Naturalist novelists should avoid:

• Personal bias

• Flowery diction

• Removing consequences for characters

Writing should be a