For a Night of Love by Émile Zola
The novel revolves around a young woman who becomes embroiled in an affair with a wealthy and older man. The story explores themes of love, class, and social status as the protagonist navigates her relationships and desires.
By Émile Zola · First published 1876 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Romance, Psychological Fiction · 5 chapters · 10,031 words
First lines
The little town of P. is built on a hill. At the foot of the old ramparts runs a deep brook, the Chanteclair, doubtless so named from the crystalline sound of its limpid waters. When one arrives by the Versailles road, one crosses the Chanteclair at the south gate of the city, over a stone bridge with a single arch, of which the broad parapets, low and rounded, serve as benches for all the old people of the suburbs. Opposite, rises Beau-Soleil Street, at the end of which is a silent square, Quatre-Femmes, paved with huge cobbles and invaded by a thickset weed which makes it green as a meadow. The houses sleep. Every half hour, the dragging step of a passer-by starts a dog barking behind a stable-door, and the one excitement in the square is the regular appearance, twice a day, of officers who go to their table d'hôte in Beau-Soleil Street.
What this Textopian page supports
For a Night of Love is listed on Textopian as a novel by Émile Zola, dated 1876 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: 1876 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Romance, Psychological Fiction, Drama, Tragedy
- Length: 10,031 words
- Structure: 5 chapters, 154 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for For a Night of Love 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 For a Night of Love?
- How does this novel by Émile Zola fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The book explores complex characters and themes of love, desire, and social class, typical of literary fiction.
- Romance — The central plot revolves around Julien's unrequited love for Therese, highlighting romantic themes and emotional conflicts.
- Psychological Fiction — The narrative delves into the psychological struggles of Julien and Therese, examining their inner thoughts and motivations.
- Drama — The story contains dramatic elements, including intense emotional conflicts and a climactic event that drives the plot.
Tags
French literature · 19th century · Romance · Love story · Adultery · Marriage · Infidelity · Social class · Wealth · Privilege · Upper class · Society