Category: Literature > Symbolism
The famous French novelist Émile Zola had a unique connection to the Eiffel Tower that goes beyond mere admiration. In 1889, when the tower was completed for the Exposition Universelle, Zola was initially critical of the structure, viewing it as an eyesore that clashed with the Parisian skyline. However, his perspective changed dramatically when he realized the tower’s potential as a symbol of modernity and progress. Zola's writings began to reflect this transformation, as he incorporated themes of industrial advancement and urban life into his works. Interestingly, Zola’s literary career paralleled the rise of the Eiffel Tower, both serving as representations of the changing societal landscape in late 19th-century France, where literature and architecture began to intertwine in the narrative of modernity.