Nana by Émile Zola Summary Literary Fiction Satire

Nana by Émile Zola

Émile Zola’s Nana, published in 1880, is a powerful exploration of decadence and societal decay in the final years of the Second French Empire. The novel follows the rise and fall of its eponymous protagonist, Nana Coupeau, a courtesan whose beauty and sensuality captivate and corrupt the men of Parisian high society.

The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare Summary Satire

The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare

“The Merchant of Venice” by William Shakespeare is a complex play that combines elements of comedy, drama, and social commentary. Set primarily in Venice and Belmont, the play revolves around the merchant Antonio, his friend Bassanio, and the Jewish moneylender Shylock.

Devil in the Belfry Edgar Allan Poe Summary Satire Supernatural

The Devil in the Belfry by Edgar Allan Poe

“The Devil in the Belfry” is a short story by Edgar Allan Poe, first published in 1839. Set in the idyllic and absurdly orderly Dutch borough of Vondervotteimittiss, it paints a satirical and darkly humorous picture of a community so steeped in routine that even the slightest disruption spells chaos.