A Zola Dictionary; the Characters of the Rougon-Macquart Novels of Emile Zola;

"A Zola Dictionary; the Characters of the Rougon-Macquart Novels of Emile Zola" by J. G. Patterson is a guide that helps readers navigate the many characters in Zola's famous Rougon-Macquart novels. The book examines the relationships, ideas, and societal messages found in Zola's stories, which are set during the Second Empire in France. Using a dictionary-like format, the book gives summaries of each character and their importance, acting as a resource for anyone wanting to learn about Zola's influential writings. At the beginning, the book talks about Zola's goals and the meaning behind the Rougon-Macquart series, including his aim to show the social and political issues of his time through a realistic style that focuses on how family traits and surroundings affect people's actions. The book then outlines the family tree of the Rougons and Macquarts, highlighting important characters like Adelaide Fouque, Pierre Rougon, and Gervaise Macquart to show how family relationships are woven into Zola's stories as he discusses social decline, moral failings, and people's struggles in an imperfect world.