Les mécanismes du Naturalisme à l’épreuve*: la télégonie dans Madeleine Férat

Abstract

One of the keys of Zola’s literary success relies on the integration of scientific developments from the 19th century into the narrative texts in such a natural way that only someone with a deep knowledge of both criticism and literature would be able to. This stylistic perfection is the result of a trial and error process that culminates in “Les Rougon Macquart” but in which Madeleine Ferat and its approach to telegony play an outstanding but unknown role. This reproductive theory is at the same time an excuse to undergo a deep analysis of the bourgeoisie but also the beginning of the productive relationship between science and literature, a major feature in Naturalism.