zola who wrote j'accuse crossword – All Crossword Answers
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Solutions for "zola who wrote j'accuse crossword" by Letter Count
5 Letters
EMILE: The first name of the renowned French novelist Émile Zola, famous for his courageous public letter 'J'Accuse!' which exposed government cover-ups during the Dreyfus affair.
More About "zola who wrote j'accuse crossword"
Émile Zola, born in Paris in 1840, was a towering figure in French literature and society during the late 19th century. He is widely considered the most important practitioner of the literary school of naturalism, which sought to apply scientific objectivity to the study of human behavior and societal conditions.
His most famous work is the 20-volume novel cycle "Les Rougon-Macquart," which chronicles the lives of a family across generations during the Second French Empire. Beyond his literary achievements, Zola's moral courage shone brightest during the Dreyfus Affair. In 1898, he published "J'Accuse!", an open letter in the newspaper L'Aurore, accusing the French army of obstructing justice and unlawfully jailing Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish artillery officer wrongly convicted of treason.
This powerful letter caused a national and international sensation, leading to Zola's prosecution for libel and conviction, though he fled to England to avoid imprisonment. "J'Accuse!" remains a monumental example of an intellectual's commitment to truth and justice, profoundly impacting public opinion and eventually leading to Dreyfus's exoneration. For crossword enthusiasts, Zola is a frequent literary clue, often pointing to his first name, Émile, or his iconic essay.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Leverage Literary Knowledge: When a clue mentions a specific work like "J'Accuse!", immediately think of its author. Often, only one prominent author is associated with such a famous piece.
- Consider First Names: For well-known historical or literary figures, crosswords frequently ask for their first name, especially if the clue is accompanied by their last name (e.g., "Zola who...").
- Check Letter Count: Once you have a potential answer like EMILE, count its letters (5 in this case) and verify if it fits the required length in your puzzle grid.
- Look for Context Clues: Other intersecting words in the crossword can provide letters that confirm or deny your suspected answer, helping you narrow down possibilities.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Émile Zola?
Émile Zola (1840-1902) was a French novelist, a leading figure of the French literary naturalism movement, and an important contributor to the development of the naturalist theatre. His most famous works include the Rougon-Macquart series of novels, depicting French society during the Second Empire.
What was the significance of 'J'Accuse!'?
'J'Accuse!' (French for 'I Accuse!') was an open letter published on January 13, 1898, in the newspaper L'Aurore by Émile Zola. It accused the French government of antisemitism and unlawfully jailing Alfred Dreyfus, a General Staff officer who was unjustly convicted of espionage. The letter caused a sensation and played a crucial role in overturning Dreyfus's conviction and revealing the deep divisions within French society.
How can identifying author clues help in crosswords?
Author clues often point to first names, last names, or specific works. If a clue includes a specific work like 'J'Accuse!', it narrows down the possible authors significantly. For famous authors, knowing their first name (like Émile for Zola) can be a common crossword solution strategy, especially when a shorter word is required.