Heredity, Environment, Alcohol, & Sexuality: L'Assommoir vs. McTeague

ISBN-13: 9783659810176 / Angielski / Miękka / 2015 / 80 str.

Shahar Lilach

Opis

Frank Norris was an outspoken admirer of Emile Zola, the influential father of naturalist fiction in France. Zolas impact on Norriss work has been much discussed. In this book,I focus on the themes of heredity, environment, alcohol, gender norms, and sexuality in Emile Zolas LAssommoir (1877) and Frank Norriss McTeague (1899). I clarify not only the common ground between the two novels but also Norriss significant departure from Zolas themes and artistic goals. I begin by setting out the similarities of plot, scene, structure, and character, highlighting the differences in Zolas and Norriss concept of the naturalist genre. Next, by examining parallel scenes in the two novels, I concentrate mainly on the changes Norris makes to LAssommoir. I explain these changes through a textual analysis of the primary texts, supported by the use of essays and criticisms written by Zola and Norris themselves, as well as by modern critics who discuss both writers. I find that in McTeague, Norris avoids environment and focuses on heredity. There are also differences in foreshadowing and in the anticipation of doom in the novels. Furthermore, Norris adds the element of avatism.

O autorze

My name is Lilach Shahar. I was born in Israel, but spent most of my childhood in Stanford, CA, U.S.A. I have an MA in English literature from Ben Gurion University in Beer-sheva, Israel. I work as an English lecturer as well as an English editor. I have always enjoyed creative writing of poems and short stories. I currently live in Israel.