Captain Burle by Émile Zola (1882)
The novel revolves around the story of a working-class family living in a small town in northern France during the mid-19th century. The protagonist, Octave Mouret, is a charismatic and ambitious young man who rises to wealth and prominence through his marriage to a wealthy widow. However, his success is built on deceit and manipulation, which ultimately leads to his downfall.
By Émile Zola · First published 1882 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Realism, Drama · 4 chapters · 13,606 words
First lines
It was nine o'clock. The little town of Vauchamp, dark and silent, had just retired to bed amid a chilly November rain. In the Rue des Recollets, one of the narrowest and most deserted streets of the district of Saint-Jean, a single window was still alight on the third floor of an old house, from whose damaged gutters torrents of water were falling into the street. Mme Burle was sitting up before a meager fire of vine stocks, while her little grandson Charles pored over his lessons by the pale light of a lamp.
What this Textopian page supports
Captain Burle is listed on Textopian as a short story by Émile Zola, dated 1882 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Émile Zola
- Date: 1882 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Realism, Drama, Social Commentary, Psychological Fiction
- Length: 13,606 words
- Structure: 4 chapters, 229 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Captain Burle by Émile Zola
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Captain Burle?
- How does this short story by Émile Zola fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The novel explores complex characters and themes such as disappointment, familial duty, and the struggle between personal desires and societal expectations.
- Realism — Zola's work reflects the realistic portrayal of life, focusing on the struggles of the lower middle class and the impact of societal pressures on individual lives.
- Drama — The narrative is driven by intense emotional conflicts and character interactions, particularly between Mme Burle, her son, and Major Laguitte.
- Social Commentary — The story critiques military life, social class, and the consequences of personal failure within the context of 19th-century French society.
Tags
French literature · 19th century · Realism · Novel · Maritime · Adventure · Drama · Tragedy · Sea captain · Shipwreck · Storm · Rescue