Zola and the Serial Killer: Robert Black and La B�te Humaine

Adam Lynes, David Wilson, Craig Jackson

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    This article presents a critical analysis of Emile Zola?s Le B�te Humaine ? a critical analysis which forms the basis of a case study of the real-life, British serial killer Robert Black. The fictional character of Jacques Lantier, a train driver living in France in the late 19th century, who is plagued by thoughts of committing murder is compared to Black - a former PDS van driver - who has been convicted of murdering four young girls between 1981 and 1986. The article explores Zola?s comments and warnings about the relationship between civilisation and the ever-advancing technology that it creates in order to better the human species or, as is the case of Lantier and Black, for the worse.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)69-80
    Number of pages12
    JournalInternational Journal of Criminology and Sociology
    Volume1
    Publication statusPublished (VoR) - 1 Oct 2012

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