IDENTITY
La Joie de vivre
Literature
Work Summary
La Joie de vivre by Émile Zola is a novel centred on Pauline Quenu, who lives with the Chanteau family on the Normandy coast and repeatedly sacrifices her own interests for others. Against illness, financial anxiety and pessimism, Pauline's resilience gives the novel its central contrast between suffering and an affirmative attachment to life.
Evidence Summary
He values the novel for truth rather than consolation.
Part of his explicit comparison of modern literature with painterly truth.
CONTEXT
Author / Source
Émile Zola
Work
La Joie de vivre
Years / Period
late Oct 1887
Van Gogh Relation
Compared / Connected, Discussed / Commented On
EVIDENCE
Key Quotation
CONNECTIONS
Evidence Trail
late Oct 1887 — Letter 574
Discussed / Commented On · Discussed / evaluated
Van Gogh names La joie de vivre among modern masterpieces that paint life as he feels it.
Response: He values the novel for truth rather than consolation.
Connection: Part of his explicit comparison of modern literature with painterly truth.
Related Research Nodes
Study Subject
Themes
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