Kaitlyn Gagnon

Kaitlyn Gagnon

Zola, But Make It Funny: The Comedies You Missed

Émile Zola, the renowned 19th-century French naturalist best known for his Rougon-Macquart series, had a lesser-known, lighter side. While he is primarily associated with intense social critique and realism, some of his early works were comedies. My research focuses on defining comedy in Zola’s work through his letters, critiques, and prefaces. His comedic plays, though not widely celebrated, offered a counterbalance to his darker narratives, revealing his ability to observe life not only with gravity but also with wit. These rarely read works are inventive and thought-provoking and may have even influenced humorous moments in his later novels. Understanding Zola’s approach to comedy expands our appreciation of his range as a writer. My thesis opens the door to further exploration of how his comedic instincts played a subtle yet important role in shaping the tone and structure of his literary output.

Kaitlyn Gagnon
PhD candidate, French Studies
Faculty of Arts and Humanities - Western University

Supervisors
Dr. Geneviève De Viveiros 
Dr. Servanne Woodward

Kaitlyn Gagnon is a fifth-year Ph.D. candidate in the French Studies program at Western University. She holds a Master of Arts in French Literature, with a focus on 19th-century literature, theatre, and parody. Her doctoral research examines the lesser-known comedic works of Émile Zola, a renowned figure in French literary history. While Zola is not widely recognized for his contributions to comedic writing, Kaitlyn’s dissertation aims to shed light on this understudied aspect. Through her work, she seeks to offer a fresh perspective on a well-researched author by exploring dimensions of his work that have received relatively little critical attention.

Kaitlyn's research is highlighted in episode 537 of GradCast, the official podcast of the Society of Graduate Students at Western University.

You can connect with Kaitlyn via her LinkedIn or email.

View Kaitlyn's work as it appears in the Inspiring Minds Digital Collection.