Realism and Naturalism (Stendhal, Balzac, Flaubert, Zola)

1. Stendhal described the novel as "a mirror walking along a highway." What are the implications and limitations of this metaphor?

2. Balzac aimed to be the "secretary of society." How does his exhaustive detail serve larger artistic purposes?

3. Flaubert sought "le mot juste" (the exact word). How does this perfectionism shape his prose style and thematic concerns?

4. Zola claimed to apply scientific method to literature. Is naturalist fiction truly scientific, or does it use science rhetorically?

5. All four writers were criticized for immorality. What boundaries were they pushing, and why did this matter?