Emile Zola

"Emile Zola" by William Dean Howells is a detailed look into the life and career of Emile Zola, a major player in literary realism, focusing on his views on literature and his societal influence. The book portrays Zola as a complicated person who, despite aiming for realism, was heavily shaped by romantic ideas. Howells goes over Zola's important works, explaining his grand way of telling stories that brought attention to social problems like poverty and moral decline. It also points out his brave actions during the Dreyfus Affair, showing Zola as someone who strongly opposed unfairness. Howells effectively shows how Zola's writing catches the heart of being human while sticking to honesty and ethical storytelling, showing how Zola has greatly impacted literature and social change.