| Summary |
"La Bête humaine" by Émile Zola is a novel written during the late 19th century, forming part of Zola's extensive "Les Rougon-Macquart" series. The story is likely centered around the themes of human instincts, the effects of industrialization, and the interplay of personal relationships amidst societal pressures, focusing on characters such as Roubaud, a railway worker, and his wife, Séverine. The beginning of the novel introduces Roubaud, a sous-chef de gare (station master) at a Paris train station, as he waits for his wife Séverine. Their domestic setting is depicted with intimate details of their shared life, showcasing their affections and tensions. As Roubaud reflects on his job and the bustling station outside, he becomes increasingly anxious about Séverine's delay. Upon her arrival, their interactions reveal underlying strains in their relationship, including Roubaud's jealousy and suspicion regarding Séverine's previous life and potential romantic entanglements with a wealthy man, the president Grandmorin. The opening sets a tone of emotional volatility, hinting at darker themes of betrayal, jealousy, and violence as the characters navigate their tumultuous lives against the backdrop of a changing world. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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