I enjoy reading historically based novels, and over the summer I had the opportunity to read Emile Zola’s novel Germinal. The author made great use of description, which created vivid pictures of all the characters. While I read the introduction to Sentimental Education I learnt Flaubert had influenced Zola.
In class on Monday, I listened to the disillusion of the 19th century for the French citizens, and all the evils that
didn’t seem to go away. By 1848 the Republic had changed governments four times yet, poverty, social unrest, and corruption continued. The citizen’s way of life whether economically or socially did not seem to get any better. In addition, the September Laws only increased the government’s authority when it came to cracking down on opposition.
From a literary point of view, the words Flaubert used created vivid scenes of what happened, however, this disillusion after reading the book makes me wonder if Flaubert had other motives. Why not write a novel that would stir up the emotions of the lower classes? The novel portrayed a lack of energy or want among the elite to better conditions for those less fortunate. Frederic ultimately portrayed a thoughtless, greedy, and egotistical character, which was too concerned for his own well being. I believe the love he supposedly had for Madame Arnoux was because he could not have her.
I would like to read anyone else’s opinion. I am interested to hear if any of you thought the same as I did. If you like to read historical novels, I would like to recommend Germinal by Emile Zola. It is about the same length as the novel by Flaubert, but it has a great plot.
February 27, 2007 at 6:57 pm
I agree that he could have used his writing talents to persuade the lower classes into some kind of action but we’re being too practical.
Poets were not social activists and so he apparently seemed content to merely describe what he saw. He wasn’t sure what to make of everything and so this is where the people had to make up their own minds to act or not to act.
April 5, 2007 at 9:27 pm
You answered your own question:
Q”Why not write a novel that would stir up the emotions of the lower classes? ”
A “The novel portrayed a lack of energy or want among the elite to better conditions for those less fortunate.”
To recreate a world in the past to present a critique of it and its attitudes can be as deep or deeper as a more transparently ideological novel.
Also, poor people –the proletariat–normally did not read novels. They were too busy being overworked. Reading and writing novels in the 19th cnetury was a middle and upper class activity.
Interesting post.