The Conquest of Plassans

Name: The Conquest of Plassans
Author: Émile Zola

The novel revolves around the story of a family's rise to power and wealth in a small town in France during the Second Empire period. The protagonist, a clever and ambitious young man, returns to his hometown after making a fortune in Paris and begins to buy up land and properties, eventually becoming the wealthiest and most influential person in the area. Through his machinations, he destroys the lives of several people, including his own family members, while accumulating wealth and power.

By Émile Zola · First published 1874 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Realism, Social Commentary · 23 chapters · 157,446 words

First lines

Désirée clapped her hands. She was fourteen years old and big and strong for her age, but she laughed like a little girl of five.

'Mother! mother! ' she cried, 'look at my doll!'

What this Textopian page supports

The Conquest of Plassans is listed on Textopian as a novel by Émile Zola, dated 1874 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: 1874 CE
Language: English
Genres: Literary Fiction, Realism, Social Commentary, Drama, Historical Fiction
Length: 157,446 words
Structure: 23 chapters, 2,686 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Work identity for The Conquest of Plassans by Émile Zola
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Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering The Conquest of Plassans?
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 book explores complex characters and social themes, focusing on the intricacies of family life and societal norms.
Realism — Zola's work is characterized by a detailed depiction of everyday life and the struggles of the bourgeoisie, reflecting the realities of 19th-century France.
Social Commentary — The narrative critiques social structures and the impact of economic conditions on personal relationships and moral dilemmas.
Drama — The book contains intense emotional conflicts and interpersonal dynamics that drive the plot and character development.