Telegram-herald., 1889-04-16
zoLA on JOURNALISM

He Says the Interviewer and Romancer
Are Very Closely Related.
T. Is no news that NJ Emile Zola takes a
much higher view OF the functions ol jour
ualism than is affected by the majority OF
writers Il books Journalists vii therefore
doubtless read with interest the following
extract from letter 70 II. Emile Blavet
vi Is - % published "a a preface 10 the
fifth v0lams u the "Vio Paris.ennen:
Il rcmemoer,r says NJ Zola, "os the fury
of our dear and great Flaubert when a re-
porter presented himself at MS house. The
following days no did not cease 10 exclaim,
with gestures Of strong Indignation that he
was willing 10 give his books 10 the public,
but that his house, his person, his ways Of
living and thinking We're things sacred and
nlv;0lable which he was resolved 70 hide from
indiscreet curiosity. ! pointed out that be,
the author of Madame BOvary'-tho chef
d1uvre OK our written romance-was, may
b.. not very logical in making al this fuss be-
cause be found IN journalism the same pro-
cess Of inquiry which he had himself en-
ployed IN literature. But when his passion
carried him away ne Was not open 70 logic,
and ho continued 70 abominate reporters TO
the point Il being moved 70 tears at the least
article which appeared about him.
All yes. II must be said that we ro-
nancers who make our books from dOcu-
uieuts and who only co-relate notes taken on
the things and men about US, proceed
identically ike the journalist, studying actu-
ahty visiting tEe celebrity Of the day, and
publishing only the proceS verbal Of what
takes place. We make Use in our imagina-
tive artistic creations OF tho investigation
which journalism brings 10 bear on real
facts aud on the living actors Of the daily
drama The two march IN step in the intel
loctu4l evolution Of society, and the same
tool Is IN tls hands OF both workmen during
the same hour. 1t is, doubtless, because Of
tins fraternity felt and understood by me for
a long tune. that, far from being angry with
the new journalism, | have always taken
very lively interest in it. | may even say
that 5 al | read in the newspapers; the ac-
curate accounts, the look OF a sitting or an
audience the portraits Of eminent men taken
from nature. the words actually said, the
places and the sights described, just as they
ere. by eye witnesses. rarely read without
anger or fatigue a leading article, while am
never tired II learning facts
In good sooth, tho part Of registrar OF
Partisan life Is not an easy one, and what
makes it harder is the fashion in which some
people discharye it. Do you know that there
Is necessary for il all the literary qualities
intelu.snce, spirit, act, style neat and
frank, a. art % getting straight 20 the point
without getting beyond iti Have you real
i1e-l what a difficult task is there-and the
more ~ because you make a man speak TO
whom you lend your style and whom you
compromise at pleasure II you make him say
that which lie las not meant 70 sayi To be
mechanically accurate Is nothing Il isncces-
sary % take account Ok tho tone with which
tls phrases have been spoken. % assign them
their true value. % DO the same with the hour
ard tho Circuni stances. in a word, the task is
t1e most difficult and the most thankless
Again. what misery often II j. necessary 10
have exT~rieDced DO 70 have spoken without
mistrust. and 20 dnd in tho morning ones
phrases printed 70 realize ths disaster Of find
inz a word out ot ia place Il Is right and il
BE- wrong. One sDeaks in fragments. al logic
las disappeared. tae phrase waich follows
co1tralcts that which went before To cor
rect be- Is impossibie-th ouiy makes Cne
more riicu.ous Tao best way l. 20 indorse
it au wlthou. comQlaint But 7 confess
share little & FiaubeTt's anger against the
information. hY book ~ by crock. n our con-
temporary Journalism London Globe