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2. Topic: Literary Criticism Problem Statement: Select 5 aspects of Zolas Thrse Raquin that are similar to Baudelaires Les Fleur du mal and 5 aspects that are different. Support with a quotation for each similarity and each difference (at least 10 quotations in all). e-Assignmenthelp, 2014

3. Introduction: The Texts Les Fleur du Mal, or The Flowers of Evil, is an anthology of poems by Charles Baudelaire. The poet brings together an assortment of his musings, bearing a theme Baudelaire was said to have been profoundly influenced by in his lifetime: that of good vs. evil. The second text in consideration is a novella by Emile Zola, a contemporary of Baudelaire. Set in 19th century France, Therese Raquin explores the lives of the protagonist, Therese, and those of people around her. e-Assignmenthelp, 2014

4. Objectives Since the writers in question were contemporaries, a lot can be said of the parallels that can be drawn between the two texts. As reflections of their time(s), both Les Fleur du Mal and Therese Raquin have significant similarities in style elements, while they broadly differ in terms of the treatment of various themes. e-Assignmenthelp, 2014

5. 1. Realist Portrayal of Subjects Zola employs an animistic approach to the description of both living and non-living beings alike, with the former being described by the temperaments of various animals, while the latter thrives in the vivid use of colours, which some critics have attributed to as painterly. This quality in the narrative of Therese Raquin sets an environment that is highly sensitive to the instincts of its characters. To the right, along the whole length of the arcade, extends a wall against which the shopkeepers opposite have stuck some small cupboards. Objects without a name, goods forgotten for twenty years, are spread out there on thin shelves painted a horrible brown colour. [Chapter 1] e-Assignmenthelp, 2014

6. 1. Realist Portrayal of Subjects The case is similar to that of Les Fleurs du Mal, notwithstanding certain contrasts which will be examined in due course of this essay. Starting from the invocation, the poet laureate pays candid tributes to the reigning emotions of his time, by addressing them, in his note to the reader as Serried, swarming, like a million maggots, A legion of Demons carouses in our brains [To The Reader] e-Assignmenthelp, 2014

7. 2. Character-centric narratives The theme in Les Fleur du Mal was the instruments of evil in the context of the rest of the observable world. The poet resembles this prince of cloud and sky Who frequents the tempest and laughs at the bowman; When exiled on the earth, the butt of hoots and jeers, His giant wings prevent him from walking [The Albatross] By lamenting the ill-fated protagonist in The Albatross thus, Baudelaire goes on to present the perspective of the persecuted. e-Assignmenthelp, 2014

8. 2. Character-centric narratives In Chapter 8 of Therese Raquin, Zolas narrative hinges on problematic determinism, the kind where the circumstances leading to the build-up of the plot have reached a crux. Laurent had made a correct guess: he had become the sweetheart of the woman, the friend of the husband, the spoilt child of the mother. Never had he enjoyed such a capital time. His position in the family struck him as quite natural. [Chapter 8] e-Assignmenthelp, 2014

9. 3. Subtle use of refrain The refrain is a well-known aesthetic instrument in poetic circles, but the inconspicuous similarity of the use of certain striking phrases to reconstruct later narratives is a hallmark of Zolas acumen throughout the story. And when she learnt the truth, her grief was tragic. She gave hollow sobs, she received shocks that threw her backward, in a distracting attack of terror and anguish. She remained there choking, uttering from time to time a piercing scream amidst the profound roar of her aiction [Chapter 11] e-Assignmenthelp, 2014

10. 3. Subtle use of refrain The striking similarity of Les Fleur du Mal capitulates on the same, due to its narrative nature. Most of the poems, starting from Benediction, address the poet, and not just his readers. These refrains bring about an impression that the narrator, the poet, is also an integral part of the anthology. The Poet is brought forth in this wearisome world, His mother terried and full of blasphemies Raises her clenched st to God, who pities her : [Benediction] e-Assignmenthelp, 2014

11. 4. Rhythm Unlike most of the other similarities, the use of rhythm in the ornamental scales of Baudelaire, or the parsing Zola subtly employs in setting the mood for most of Therese Raquins scenes bear an uncanny similarity in conveying the mood. For instance, the exotic perfumes story in its own words, is almost aromatic in its meter. I see a port of sails, where every mast Seems weary of the labours of its cruise ; While scents of tamarind, blown here and there, Swelling my nostrils as they rinse the air, Are mingled with the chanties of the crews [The Exotic Perfume] e-Assignmenthelp, 2014

12. 4. Rhythm Zola parsed the narrative of Therese Raquin in the same spirit, touching upon frames, and reflecting on the same from the vantage point of the narrator. During the journey, they barely exchanged a few words. Each of them buried himself in a corner of the cab which jolted along over the stones. There they remained motionless and mute in the obscurity that prevailed within the vehicle. Ever and anon a rapid ash from a gas lamp, cast a bright gleam on their faces. The sinister event that had brought them together, threw a sort of dismal dejection upon them. [Chapter 12] e-Assignmenthelp, 2014

13. 5. Dilemma and Paradox The characters in both Les Fleur du Mal and Therese Raquin are very responsive towards their identity as the self. At last he was rid of his crime. He had killed Camille. It was a matter that was settled, and would be spoken of no more. He was now going to lead a tranquil existence, until he could take possession of Therese. The thought of the murder had at times half choked him, but now that it was accomplished, he felt a weight removed from his chest, and breathed at ease, cured of the suering that hesitation and fear had given him. [Chapter 12] e-Assignmenthelp, 2014

14. 5. Dilemma and Paradox Laurent meets his contextual counterpart in the dancing serpent, which, self-styles itself Upon your heavy head of hair With its acrid scents, Adventurous, odorant sea With blue and brown waves, Like a vessel that awakens To the morning wind Reminding itself of wavering moods. [The Dancing Serpent] e-Assignmenthelp, 2014

15. 6. Meter and Metrics As is the difference between prose and poetry, the author in Therese Raquin and the poet in Les Fleur du Mal stuck to a vibrant narrative that differed significantly in terms of phrase parsing in sentences and stanzas, respectively. Everyone went upstairs to the dining-room. Madame Raquin who expected nobody, hastened to light the lamp, and prepare the tea. When all were seated round the table, each before a cup, when the box of dominoes had been emptied on the board, the old mother, with the past suddenly brought back to her, looked at her guests, and burst into sobs. There was a vacant place, that of her son. [Chapter 8] e-Assignmenthelp, 2014

16. 6. Meter and Metrics The quintessential Thursday morning routine is captured thus, whereas Baudelaires depictions are localized. This gradient in the use of length for effect can be seen in contrast to the Snake that Dances, where Like silk or satin, smoothly-glazing The light that it caresses. Under your tresses dark and deep Where acrid perfumes drown, A fragrant sea whose breakers sweep In mazes blue or brown, My soul, a ship, to the attraction Of breezes that bedizen Its swelling canvas, clears for action And seeks a far horizon. [The Snake that Dances] e-Assignmenthelp, 2014

17. 7. Evil as nature vs Evil as folly This is perhaps the most stark difference between the texts in consideration. While Baudelaires treatment of good and evil as themes remained consistent with the traditional co-existent paradox, which was the subject of various dilemmas. Under the languorous moods that weigh it, Your childish head bows down : Like a young elephants you sway it With motions soft as down. [The Dancing Serpent] e-Assignmenthelp, 2014

18. 7. Evil as nature vs Evil as folly The hidden forces of lust that had brought about this result had been secretly proceeding within him, to end by casting him, bound hand and foot, into the arms of Therese. At this hour, he was in dread lest he should omit to be prudent. [Chapter 4] However, while we see Laurent encounter Camille in the context of what may be seen as one of the earliest evils, he is presented with a dilemma, and the idea of folly, is seen to be stemming not from nature, but from nurture. e-Assignmenthelp, 2014

19. 8. Social Commentary Baudelaire was remarkable in the use of hyperbole, but he conceptualized his settings in an idyllic world, which made most of his reflections dark and macabre. On the other hand, Zola lent the voice of the narrator to various characters in their part of the world as it was presented to them. While Baudelaire chastises his antagonists by their vices, Theresa, the counterpart of Les Fleurs Lady Macbeth, breaks free from her upbringing and becomes healthy and beautiful through her turbulent relationship with Laurent. e-Assignmenthelp, 2014

20. 9. Death In chapter 12, when the realisation of murder dawns upon Laurent, he is shown to be unusually relieved. This indifference contrasts with the general mood in Les Fleur du Mal, where death is depicted as driving its prey to the depths of anxiousness. The existentialist themes in the anthology are sporadic, but they capture the essence of the poets internalisation of death, which he calls, Spleen. e-Assignmenthelp, 2014

21. 10. The narrative as an account of hostility It can be said that the atmosphere in Baudelaires Les Fleur du Mal is predominantly hostile and macabre. Like the convict to his chain, Like the stubborn gambler to the game, Like the drunkard to his wine, Like the maggots to the corpse, Accurst, accurst be you ! [To The Reader] e-Assignmenthelp, 2014

22. 10. The narrative as an account of hostility The throes of the undead are as lively and metaphorical as those of the living, as is reflected from these lines. In the crucial moment of Therese Raquin, the atmosphere is claustrophobic, but Therese and Laurent reflect on entirely different incidents. During this conversation, Therese and Laurent had remained silent. They had not even smiled at the folly of Grivet. Both leaning with their arms on the table, looking slightly pale, and with a vague expression in their eyes, listened. At one moment those dark, ardent orbs had met. And small drops of perspiration pearled at the roots of the hair of Therese, while chilly pus of breath gave imperceptible shivers to the skin of Laurent. [Chapter 6] e-Assignmenthelp, 2014

23. Conclusions In retrospection, Baudelaire and Zola succeeded in their premise: be it personification or animism, both works portray some of the most intriguing social and moral dilemmas of their time. In its element, while Therese Raquin captures the soul of its sombre French setting, Baudelaires visions are projections of the people around him, on an abstract medium. e-Assignmenthelp, 2014