The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-10-05
Emile Zola'S Place j. u
- - ~ In Literature.

Il is difficult assign lola his proper place in tera-
His influence has been great his output 50 con-
tinuous from "contes Ninon" in 1854 including The
twenty novels Rouson Nacquart series TO Truth in
that in his lifetime the ebb and flood Of his fame
coming in and going and coming in again have been
observable way which takes place with most authors
only after they dead.
zolas place in conemporaneous French literature has
been that Of giant Without the style OF perfect finish
Faaher the OF Daudet without wit hunor,
with little imagination, he has nevertheless succeeded with
his peculiar method in becoming novelist with great
fame.
This fame has not been confined to his own country
Ia the old and the world his readers numbered hy
thousands And not only has the reading public fallen
under his spell, but writers we'll in many countries.
have been influenced by him, Maupassant notably in
France DAnnunaio in Italy Cork in Russia Hardy. in
England and Frank Norris il America
lola himself undoubtedly much influenced by Balxse
But Basae while holding the mirror up to vice, held il
but the naiuasm which lola protested realism plus
pessimisu with liberal allowance OF obseenity Balaac
while wrtns with all customary French freedom, is
Il is impossible to justify this obseenity which zoa
continually practeed in his writings Il has the
Of Wit Il is patiently introduced in many places in the
defenders might successfully plead the necessities OF
While these sociological studies arc not true pictures Of
the world as is being drawings altogether Of the shadow
with all isht Lett out il is possible that they may do
good ~ this way They show perhaps nothing else
show the need OF home missionaries or the condition o.
Paris is the condition Of all OF great cities These
nate ana harotry Of debauchery,
OF men aud women who dercrts the and let
sam Of the wreekage OF the Of human life are not
only marvelousy impressive warnings those read
them Alright OF the soughs Of sin, but they blaEon the
need of manifold increase in the humanitarian work. the
initiation OF which the greatest glory OF the Nineteenth
century
But this tendency good might have been preserved
without she nasneSs With which lola has filled his novels
lola has none OF the wit of the author OF the "Cones
Drolndques He does not delight in the double 6neadrs
None OF his mpropuetes foHr There is nothing
amusing about them The details Of bagnios OF
%. fssf. zeal d.
oil his pages There faith things nor any
hope OF the hereafter The pessmnl IS as black aud as
immoral the shameless indeecney. Here have de-
cadouee in literature and smelling heaven.
OF immortality and because OF their depress-
ing effect their inordnatc length and duness IN spite OF
much force, art and totay OF effect which often
produces the effect OF genius. the prediction made
that Zolas novels win be read 80 the future He Is
lacking in the matter aud of the authors whose
works live lie has enough originality OF ideas
enough beauty Of style He has written far mueh-a
book full OF books His novels but reporting and
inaccurate reporting at that Of loatheome life in his
century.
Nevertheless the name Of Emile zola will be reuem-
bercd 10 literature for his influence other writer's He
truly founded school The naturass OF the Nineteenth
century with lola their head will always place
the histories of literature
As citizen and a patriot lola has totally different
place, His services 20 his country and humanity in the
Dreyfus case with 6fs disregard OF his own safety and
fcarels eoquence entde him place honor Upon the
roll OF noble Of history and place 10 hall Of
fame any part OF the world