Project Details
Description
We want to deepen one of the results from our previous MOST research project "From Artist to Genius, the writing style differences and similarities between Balzac and Zola", trying to compare Balzac and Zola via the angle of "religious aesthetics". In a way, the self-sacrifice for their ideal of both author’s artist characters got a lot in common with Jesus’ crucifixion. In other words, a sacrifice close to what Jesus did is considered by both writers as the ultimate expression of what a character can demonstrate. There is therefore a common pointbetween religion and aesthetics in the eyes of these two writers. However, the problem is that these two writers are not aligned with mainstream religion and each have their own position. Balzac seeks a religion that gets rid of all political ideas, which is why he shows an interest in mysticism, as in, for example, La Recherche de l’absolu, (1831). As for Zola, respecting the principle of rational science, he is against the complexities of the dogmas of 19th century Catholicism, believing that it causes credulity and superstition among believers. Interestingly, Zola seems to make a certain compromise in the last novels of his life, notably in L'OEuvre (1886), Le Docteur Pascal (1893) etc., which brings him closer to traditional religion, the mysticism of Balzac or even romanticism whichhe originally rejected with a lot of energy. Why such a sudden change in the works of Zola? How can we explain and understand such a contradiction?
Status | Finished |
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Effective start/end date | 1/08/21 → 31/07/23 |
UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This project contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Keywords
- Religion
- aesthetics
- Balzac
- Zola
- contradiction
- politics
- mysticism
- artist
- death
- La Recherche de l’absolu
- Le docteur Pascal
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