DB 5B

ENG 325 week 5 Unit B - Maupassant and Zola

1. Discussion board: (250 words)

Reading:

Guy de Maupassant: "Boule de Suif"

https://americanliterature.com/author/guy-de-maupassant/short-story/boule-de-suif

Emile Zola: "Captain Burle"

http://www.online-literature.com/emile-zola/captain-burle/1/

Discussion Question:

A Theory of Naturalism, appearing in the preface of the novel Germinie Lacerteux from Edmond and Jules de Goncourt in 1865:

 

 "The public like novels that are untrue. [Germinie Lacerteux] is a true novel. They like books which seem to take them into society: this work comes from the streets. This is a clinical study of love. The public like harmless and comforting stories, adventures that end happily, ideas which disturb neither their digestion nor their peace of mind. Nowadays, when the novel has assumed the studies and the duties of science, it may claim the liberty and frankness of science."

 

Considering the above definition, do you think that the stories you read from Zola and de Maupassant are examples of Naturalism?  Support your response with evidence from the texts.

2. Reply for another student’s work. (75 words)

Nature poses mortal danger to our protagonist(s) in both stories.  Hugo’s story centers on a cannon that has gotten loose aboard a ship that is at sea.  The rough sea causes the cannon to careen all over the deck, killing several men and damaging the wooden ship.  Despite the seriousness of the issue, Hugo injects humor into his story by using personification.  He gives the cannon human (and sometimes animal) qualities.  Early on in the story, he likens the way in which it rampages across the deck to an ox, an elephant, a mouse.  Later, when the captain is trying to wrangle the cannon, Hugo gives it sentient qualities by acting as if it is trying to evade him. 

Balzac’s story is slower paced and more cerebral.  The protagonist is a French soldier who becomes stranded in the desert.  His problem is compounded when a panther shows up and takes interest in him.  Both the panther and the harsh desert serve as antagonists.  Balzac uses personification as well, but it has a different effect.  As the man tames the panther, he gives it more human characteristics.  Balzac give the panther emotions and facial expressions.  The Frenchman even names her after a former girlfriend because the panther reminds him of her.