The Belly Of Paris

“The Belly of Paris” is a novel by Emile Zola that illustrates the series of events of Florent upon arriving into Paris. The novel is centered around Florent’s need for revenge against the French Empire that had wrongly accused him of plotting to overthrow the government. Zola uses vivid imagery and engaging characters to describe the social and political constructs of Paris during the 1850s. To provide historical background, 1850s France was a highly stratified society upon the rise of the bourgeoisie class (Jackson). The rise of the middle class created an increasing tension both socially between classes and politically against the Second French Empire (Jackson). Although the novel is a piece of historical fiction, the author used historical

Mademoiselle Saget exclaims “how is it for a woman alone, living on almost nothing” (Zola, 35) to allow the reader to identify her as someone from a low social class. Throughout the novel, it is evident that the purpose of Mademoiselle Saget is as a gossiper. One may consider that her character became this way to cope with loneliness and a bitterness towards young and beautiful women. Zola outlines Mademoiselle Saget’s afternoon in the Square des Innocents by “spending a good hour to get herself posted in gossip of common people” (Zola, 254). Due to this daily routine, Mademoiselle Saget’s curiosity greatly differs from that of Madame Francois and is termed gossip. Hence, many other characters in the novel show great animosity towards Mademoiselle Saget and describe her housing as a “house of tittle-tattle” (Zola, 48). Mademoiselle Saget also exhibits forms of leadership in her ability to control Madame Lecoeur and La Sariette. Her gossiping abilities were so substantial that if she heard you, “all the neighborhood would know” (Zola, 186). Despite establishing this power, the role of Mademoiselle Saget does not appear to be useful or advantageous in Parisian society. Upon learning about Florent’s intentions, her character proves to be deleterious and continues to symbolize women in the lower class. Zola interprets women’s looks to their social status which in turn affects their