| Author |
Zola, Émile, 1840-1902 |
| Translator |
Robins, E. P. |
| Uniform Title |
La débâcle. English
|
| Title |
The Downfall
|
| Note |
Reading ease score: 69.9 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read.
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| Credits |
Dagny, John Bickers and David Widger
|
| Summary |
"The Downfall" by Émile Zola is a novel written in the late 19th century that explores themes of war, social dynamics, and human suffering against the backdrop of the Franco-Prussian War. The story primarily centers around the experiences of soldiers as they confront the harsh realities of battle and the inadequacies of their leaders, with a focus on characters like Jean Macquart and Maurice Levasseur as they grapple with both physical and moral challenges. At the start of the novel, the scene is set in the encampment near Mülhausen, where soldiers await the anticipated clash with Prussian forces. Zola vividly describes the atmosphere filled with tension and foreboding as Jean Macquart, a corporal with a complicated past, reflects on his return to military life. The opening also introduces Maurice, a more educated but conflicted young man, highlighting the stark differences in class and perspective among the soldiers. As the narrative progresses through their interactions and the murmurs of impending battle, it portrays the soldiers' mix of camaraderie and despair, foreshadowing the chaotic events that will lead to their eventual downfall. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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| Language |
English |
| LoC Class |
PQ: Language and Literatures: Romance literatures: French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese
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| Subject |
War stories
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| Subject |
Franco-Prussian War, 1870-1871 -- Fiction
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| Category |
Text |
| EBook-No. |
13851 |
| Release Date |
Oct 25, 2004 |
| Most Recently Updated |
Nov 27, 2021 |
| Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads |
131 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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