Zola critique de Labiche

Abstract

This article examines Zola's reading of Labiche in some of his newspaper reviews. Zola does not categorically condemn a kind of theatre that, at first sight, differs considerably from his own naturalistic ideal. Indeed, he is quite fascinated by the quality of its particular vis comica. Somewhat paradoxically, the analysis he offers of some of Labiche's plays contributes to help him clarify his own ideas concerning naturalism on the stage, and allows him to reflect on the essence of laughter. Through these reviews we can also witness Zola's peculiar type of criticism, open to practices very different from his own, of which he strives to capture the nature in spite of the apparent diversity of their approaches.

L'article examine la lecture que Zola fit de Labiche dans certaines de ses chroniques de presse. Il est loin de condamner de manière catégorique un type de théâtre qui à première vue correspond mal à son programme naturaliste mais qui néanmoins le fascine par la qualité de son comique. Paradoxalement, l'analyse de certaines pièces de Labiche contribue à l'élaboration de sa propre idée de naturalisme au théâtre et lui permet en outre de s'interroger sur l'essence même du comique. Elle montre aussi la particularité de la critique de Zola, à l'écoute d'écrivains bien différents de lui dont il essaie de saisir la singularité malgré l'apparente distance qui les sépare de lui.