2Tess_W
Chapter 4 sees the rise of Saccard. I think that Saccard is the human symbol for Paris: greed avarice, lack of moral compass, etc. Saccard (and others) believe wealth and power are the markers of success. Not sure what part Sidonie figuratively plays throughout the novel, if anything. Maybe trying to live in two worlds?
Chapter 5 focuses on urban renewal (Haussman). Zola provides the reader with detailed descriptions of the bustling city, the lavish homes, and the opulent lifestyle of the nouveau riche.
I teach college-level history, and in my American II class, we focus on a brief period known as "The Gilded Age" (1870s-1890s). The term, coined by Mark Twain, referred to the rapid accumulation of wealth and success following the Civil War, which led to an overall rise in the standard of living for many, along with newfound leisure time. Twain’s point in using the term was to suggest that, much like something gilded, these apparent "successes" were merely a shiny exterior, hiding the same old problems beneath. Whenever I read Zola’s descriptions of decadence and excess, I can’t help but think of Twain’s term. Same time period, eh?
Chapter 5 focuses on urban renewal (Haussman). Zola provides the reader with detailed descriptions of the bustling city, the lavish homes, and the opulent lifestyle of the nouveau riche.
I teach college-level history, and in my American II class, we focus on a brief period known as "The Gilded Age" (1870s-1890s). The term, coined by Mark Twain, referred to the rapid accumulation of wealth and success following the Civil War, which led to an overall rise in the standard of living for many, along with newfound leisure time. Twain’s point in using the term was to suggest that, much like something gilded, these apparent "successes" were merely a shiny exterior, hiding the same old problems beneath. Whenever I read Zola’s descriptions of decadence and excess, I can’t help but think of Twain’s term. Same time period, eh?
3booksaplenty1949
>2 Tess_W: Napoleon III was deposed in 1870, so this novel is set somewhat earlier than the American “Gilded Age.”
4Tess_W
>3 booksaplenty1949: But events always occur earlier in Europe and then spread! (at least "then")
5booksaplenty1949
>4 Tess_W: I think the Gilded Age reflected the rapid expansion of American industry. France was far behind, not ahead, of the US in this area.
6lilisin
>1 Tess_W:
Any chance you could edit the thread title to include the book title?
Any chance you could edit the thread title to include the book title?
7Tess_W
>6 lilisin: Yes!...eta--in theory! I can't seem to find a way to do it. I'll go seek help from the help group!
8Tess_W
>5 booksaplenty1949: Dates and ideas being fluid. Most historians would agree that the French lagged behind the UK in industrialization, but that it started sometime after 1830. I'm not really making the argument that this time period in France was "The Gilded Age", more that it embodied the "superficial nature" of the same.
9booksaplenty1949
>8 Tess_W: Well, insofar as the affluence of the upper class was a veneer over widespread corruption, that’s quite true. “Gilded” as opposed to “golden.”
10booksaplenty1949
Given the transactional and largely sexless nature of the Saccards’ marriage it is hard to get exercised about the “incestuous” nature of the affair between Renée and Maxime. But the emphasis on his bisexuality and the graphic description of their gender-bending romps on the black bearskin in the conservatory are pretty risqué. I can well imagine that these were toned down in earlier translations into English.
11booksaplenty1949
Finished ch 5. Looks like the romps are over and the chickens are coming home to roost. But still two chapters to go!
