Nana

Émile Zola, Transl. Gerhard KrügerFiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1880

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Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-2

Chapters 3-4

Chapters 5-6

Chapters 7-8

Chapters 9-11

Chapters 12-13

Chapter 14

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

The narrator presents Nana as a woman who ruins a long string of men. Is Nana really responsible for all of these men’s ruination? Is she responsible for some, but not others? Why or why not?

Consider the motif of performance in the novel. Which character’s public persona is most performative, and why? Who performs their role the best, and why?

Does any of Nana’s behavior cross a line and become actually inexcusable? If so, why? If not, why not?