J'Accuse...!: Difference between revisions

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==Arguments in J'accuse==
 
Emile Zola argued that “the conviction of Alfred Dreyfus was based on false accusations of [[espionage]] and was a misrepresentation of justice.”<ref>Shelokhonov, S. (2008). Biography for Emile Zola. Retrieved February 15, 2008, from The Internet Movie Database: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0957652/bio</ref> He first points out that the real man behind all of this is [[Major du Paty de Clam]]. Zola states: “He was the one who came up with the scheme of dictating the text of the bordereau to Dreyfus; he was the one who had the idea of observing him in a mirror-lined room. And he was the one that Major Forzinetti caught carrying a shuttered lantern that he planned to throw open on the accused man while he slept, hoping that, jolted awake by the sudden flash of light, Dreyfus would blurt out his guilt.”<ref>Zola, E. (1898, Janurary 13). I Accuse. Retrieved Febraury 12, 2008, from Chameleon Translations: http://www.marxists.org/archive/zola/1898/jaccuse.htm</ref> Next Zola points out that if the investigation of the traitor was done properly, then the evidence would clearly show that the bordereau came from an infantry officer and not artillery, such as Dreyfus.<ref>Zola, E. (1898, Janurary 13). I Accuse. Retrieved Febraury 12, 2008, from Chameleon Translations: http://www.marxists.org/archive/zola/1898/jaccuse.htm</ref> Emile Zola strongly defends Alfred Zola and all of justice when he states: “These, Sir, are the facts that explain how this miscarriage of justice came about; The evidence of Dreyfus’s character, his affluence, the lack of motive and his continued affirmation of innocence combine to show that he is the victim of the lurid imagination of Major du Paty de Clam, the religious circles surrounding him, and the “dirty Jew” obsession that is the scourge of our time.”<ref>Zola, E. (1898, Janurary 13). I Accuse. Retrieved Febraury 12, 2008, from Chameleon Translations: http://www.marxists.org/archive/zola/1898/jaccuse.htm</ref> After more investigation, Zola points out that a man by the name of [[Major Esterhazy]] was the man that should have been convicted of this crime, and there was proof provided, but he could not be known as guilty unless the entire [[General Staff]] was guilty, so the [[War Office]] covered up for Esterhazy. At the end of his letter, Zola accuses [[General Billot]] of having held in his hands absolute proof of Dreyfus’s innocence and covering it up.<ref>Zola, E. (1898, Janurary 13). I Accuse. Retrieved Febraury 12, 2008, from Chameleon Translations: http://www.marxists.org/archive/zola/1898/jaccuse.htm</ref> He accuses both [[General de Boisdeffre]] and [[General Gonse]] of religious [[prejudice]] against Alfred Dreyfus.<ref>Zola, E. (1898, Janurary 13). I Accuse. Retrieved Febraury 12, 2008, from Chameleon Translations: http://www.marxists.org/archive/zola/1898/jaccuse.htm</ref> He accuses the three handwriting experts, Messrs. [[Belhomme]], [[Varinard]], and [[Couard]], of submitting false reports that were deceitful, unless a medical examination finds them to be suffering from a condition that impairs their eyesight and judgment.<ref>Zola, E. (1898, Janurary 13). I Accuse. Retrieved Febraury 12, 2008, from Chameleon Translations: http://www.marxists.org/archive/zola/1898/jaccuse.htm</ref> Zola’s final accusations were to the first [[court martial]] for violating the law by convicting Alfred Dreyfus on the basis of a document that was kept secret, and to the second court martial for committing the [[judicial]] crime of knowingly acquitting Major Esterhazy.<ref>Zola, E. (1898, Janurary 13). I Accuse. Retrieved Febraury 12, 2008, from Chameleon Translations: http://www.marxists.org/archive/zola/1898/jaccuse.htm</ref>
 
==References==