Therese Raquin

Historical Context and Significance

«Therese Raquin», a novel by Emile Zola published in 1867, is an important work in literary history as it represents one of the first examples of naturalism. Zola employs a scientific approach to studying human nature, exploring the psychological and physiological aspects of his characters. The novel tells the tragic fate of Therese Raquin, who, unhappy in her marriage, engages in a love affair with her husband's friend. Their crime and the subsequent moral and psychological consequences become the central theme of the work. The book caused a significant stir in its time, eliciting both admiration and criticism for its frankness and darkness. «Therese Raquin» influenced the development of naturalism and realism in literature, as well as Zola's further work and that of other writers of the time.