A Comparative Analysis of Upton Sinclair's <em>The Jungle</em> and Emile Zola's <em>Germinal</em>.

• Main Author: Niang, Mouhamedoul Amine
• Format: Others
• Published: Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University 2001
• Subjects: naturalist fiction; Arts and Humanities; English Language and Literature
• Online Access: https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/102; https://dc.etsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1152&amp;context=etd

This study attempts to demonstrate that Upton Sinclair's The Jungle was modeled upon Emile Zola's Germinal. A comparative analysis of their novels is the method by which the latter statement is substantiated. A close reading of these works unveils their overlappings in terms of characterization, theme and narrative. Following the introduction, the second chapter focuses on both authors' character constructions with the purpose of tracing the modeling process. The third chapter is a discussion of their similar thematic issues. The penultimate chapter deals with the identical formats of the writers' plots. Authorial differences are also considered in this work, but overall the main finding simply corroborates the validity of the aforementioned thesis. Its significance lies in the extent to which it sheds light on the close relationship between American and European literatures.