“Brave New World” – European Industrial Novels 1855–1898. Translated from the French by Aleksander Fiut Cover Image

„Nowy wspaniały świat”. Problematyka przemysłowa w europejskich powieściach lat 1855–1898. Przełożył Aleksander Fiut
“Brave New World” – European Industrial Novels 1855–1898. Translated from the French by Aleksander Fiut

Author(s): Brigitte Gautier
Subject(s): Literary Texts
Published by: Instytut Badań Literackich Polskiej Akademii Nauk
Keywords: european industrial novels; Elizabeth Gaskell's "North and South"; Émile Zola’s “The Ladies’ Delight”; Władysław Reymont’s “The Promised Land”

Summary/Abstract: In this paper we intend to show how the industrial revolution was brought upon a new world, which almost immediately was to become a literary myth. This idea is to be proved on the examples of Elizabeth Gaskell’s “North and South” (1855), Émile Zola’s “The Ladies’ Delight” (1883), and Władysław Reymont’s “The Promised Land” (1898). Moreover, we are of the opinion that in these three novels the realistic depiction of the machine society and the alienation it conveys is constantly balanced by an epic narrative, which builds up awe and admiration for it, especially for the “men of industry” as heroes of a new conquest.

  • Issue Year: 2010
  • Issue No: 3
  • Page Range: 23-33
  • Page Count: 11
  • Language: Polish