In the novels of Émile Zola and Honoré de Balzac, social critique focuses on the harsh realities of life in 19th-century France. Their stories highlight the struggles of poor people and show the problems of corruption, poverty, and unfairness in society at that time.

How They Show Social Issues:

1. Realism:

   • Both authors use a strong sense of realism to show the tough lives of their characters. For example, in Zola’s book Germinal, he describes the hard lives of coal miners who are being taken advantage of.

2. Characters:

   • Zola and Balzac create deep characters whose lives are shaped by their social situations. The sad endings of these stories show how little control poor people have over their lives, pointing out the big gap between rich and poor.

3. Setting:

   • The places where the stories occur often reflect the problems of society. Balzac’s La Comédie Humaine describes a gloomy Paris that stands for moral decay and the never-ending quest for money.

Challenges:

Even though their messages are powerful, the sadness in their stories can make readers feel hopeless. The struggles to solve these big social issues are clear, showing that inequality can seem unbreakable.

Possible Solutions:

To deal with this dark view of society, talking about these books and analyzing them can help people understand and push for changes. This way, readers can imagine a fairer society. By coming together and discussing these heavy topics, the tough situations in these novels can inspire hope and action instead of despair.