Tvorčestvo Zolja (di M. Ejchengol'c) [26-09-1937] - [D055]

Concise description of the directive:

In recent years, we have considered Zola’s works through a single perspective. In our criticism, university courses and literary circles, certain formulas are used that distort the true traits of the writer. Our critics declare him a “theorist of naturalism” without analysing the concrete artistic characteristics of his works; moreover, many of our critics use the anti-historical approach that does not coincide with the evolution of the author’s ideas. For us, Zola’s greatest value is the critical aspect of his naturalism, directed against Bonapartism and the bourgeoisie. Our evaluation of Zola’s works is based on a number of false assumptions that we must eliminate. Today’s reactionary French critics struggle against Zola’s materialism, the anti-religious and anti-militarist character of his works; they point to his artistic flaws. Yet he has his own original style; his characters carry his ideas. Although many of Zola’s values are alien to us, we must be true to history and not distort the image of the social writer who was a citizen of progressive humanity and a fighter on a hostile front against reaction.