The Flood by Émile Zola (1880)
The novel revolves around the lives of the Rougon-Macquart family during the Second Empire period in France. The story takes place in a small town and focuses on the struggles of the working class, particularly the coal miners who are exploited by the wealthy owners. The protagonist, a miner, becomes involved in a labor dispute that eventually leads to a devastating flood that destroys the town.
By Émile Zola · First published 1880 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Naturalism, Drama · 6 chapters · 9,830 words
First lines
My name is Louis Roubien. I am seventy years old. I was born in the village of Saint-Jory, several miles up the Garonne from Toulouse.
For fourteen years I battled with the earth for my daily bread. At last, prosperity smiled on we, and last month I was still the richest farmer in the parish.
What this Textopian page supports
The Flood is listed on Textopian as a novel by Émile Zola, dated 1880 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: 1880 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Naturalism, Drama, Historical Fiction, Tragedy
- Length: 9,830 words
- Structure: 6 chapters, 195 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Flood by Émile Zola
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Flood?
- 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
- Germinal by Emile Zola
- The Conquest Of Plassans by Emile Zola
- The Three Cities Paris Volume Ii by Emile Zola
- Captain Burle by Emile Zola
- The Millers Daughter by Emile Zola
- The Three Cities Paris Volume V by Emile Zola
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The book explores deep themes of family, loss, and the human condition, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Naturalism — Zola's work often reflects naturalistic elements, depicting the impact of environment and fate on human lives.
- Drama — The intense emotional conflicts and character interactions throughout the flood create a dramatic narrative.
- Historical Fiction — The setting and events are rooted in a specific historical context, reflecting societal conditions of the time.
Tags
French literature · Naturalism · 19th century · Flood disaster · Rural life · Peasantry · Social commentary · Tragedy · Drama · Historical fiction · Environmental disaster · Catastrophe