Doctor Pascal by Émile Zola (1893)

Name: Doctor Pascal
Author: Émile Zola

The novel revolves around the life of a doctor who becomes disillusioned with the medical profession and begins to question the morality of his work. He starts to focus on the social and economic conditions that affect people's health, rather than just treating their symptoms. This leads him to become involved in a romantic affair with a woman from a lower social class, which further complicates his life.

By Émile Zola · First published 1893 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Realism, Psychological Fiction · 14 chapters · 140,418 words

First lines

In the heat of the glowing July afternoon, the room, with blinds carefully closed, was full of a great calm. From the three windows, through the cracks of the old wooden shutters, came only a few scattered sunbeams which, in the midst of the obscurity, made a soft brightness that bathed surrounding objects in a diffused and tender light. It was cool here in comparison with the overpowering heat that was felt outside, under the fierce rays of the sun that blazed upon the front of the house.

What this Textopian page supports

Doctor Pascal is listed on Textopian as a novel by Émile Zola, dated 1893 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novel
Author: Émile Zola
Date: 1893 CE
Language: English
Genres: Literary Fiction, Realism, Psychological Fiction, Philosophical Fiction, Historical Fiction
Length: 140,418 words
Structure: 14 chapters, 2,063 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Doctor Pascal by Émile Zola
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering Doctor Pascal?
How does this novel by Émile Zola fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Literary Fiction — The novel explores complex characters and themes, focusing on personal and societal issues, typical of literary fiction.
Realism — Zola's work is characterized by a detailed depiction of everyday life and social conditions, aligning with the principles of realism.
Psychological Fiction — The narrative delves into the inner thoughts and motivations of characters, particularly Dr. Pascal and Clotilde, highlighting psychological depth.
Philosophical Fiction — The book engages with philosophical themes, particularly regarding belief, science, and morality, reflecting Zola's exploration of human existence.