La Bete Humaine by Emile Zola. Summary of the book.

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La Bete Humaine by Emile Zola

La Bete Humaine is a novel by French writer Emile Zola, published in 1890. It is the tenth novel in Zola’s 20-volume Les Rougon-Macquart series, which tells the story of two branches of a family living in France during the Second Empire. La Bete Humaine is set in the industrial heartland of northern France, and tells the story of Jacques Lantier, an engineer, and his struggle with a hereditary mental disorder. The novel is renowned for its vivid descriptions of the industrial landscape, its psychological complexity, and its exploration of the themes of fate, passion, and determinism.

Plot Summary

The novel follows Jacques Lantier, an engineer for a railway line in northern France. He has inherited a mental illness from his father, and is driven by a violent and uncontrollable passion for murder. He is obsessed with a beautiful woman named Severine, who is married to his colleague Roubaud, a ruthless stationmaster. As Jacques and Severine grow close, Roubaud becomes increasingly paranoid and violent. Meanwhile, Jacques is also pursued by a man named Grandmorin, who wants to take control of the railway line. The novel reaches its climax when Jacques and Severine are caught up in a murder plot and must flee together. In the end, Jacques is able to contain his murderous impulses and finds redemption by saving Severine.

Main Teachings

The novel explores themes of fate, passion, and determinism. Zola’s characters are determined by their environment, their heredity, and their own choices. Jacques is a tragic figure, driven by a passion he cannot control. He is both a victim of his own impulses and of the oppressive industrial landscape in which he is trapped. The novel also explores the power of love and redemption, as Jacques is ultimately able to save Severine and himself by embracing his own humanity.

Interesting Facts

  • La Bete Humaine was adapted into a film by Jean Renoir in 1938.
  • The novel has been translated into more than 20 languages.
  • The novel was adapted into a stage play by French playwright Georges Feydeau in 1895.
  • The novel is the tenth novel in Zola’s 20-volume Les Rougon-Macquart series.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is La Bete Humaine about?

La Bete Humaine is a novel by French writer Emile Zola, published in 1890. It is the tenth novel in Zola’s 20-volume Les Rougon-Macquart series, which tells the story of two branches of a family living in France during the Second Empire. La Bete Humaine is set in the industrial heartland of northern France, and tells the story of Jacques Lantier, an engineer, and his struggle with a hereditary mental disorder.

Who wrote La Bete Humaine?

La Bete Humaine was written by French writer Emile Zola, and was published in 1890.

What is the main theme of La Bete Humaine?

The main themes explored in the novel are fate, passion, and determinism. Zola’s characters are determined by their environment, their heredity, and their own choices. Jacques is a tragic figure, driven by a passion he cannot control. He is both a victim of his own impulses and of the oppressive industrial landscape in which he is trapped.

Has La Bete Humaine been adapted into a film?

Yes, La Bete Humaine was adapted into a film by Jean Renoir in 1938.

What is La Bete Humaine part of?

La Bete Humaine is the tenth novel in Zola’s 20-volume Les Rougon-Macquart series.

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