# Zola — The Nature of a Crime character guide

> Zola in The Nature of a Crime by Joseph Conrad.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0002-the-nature-of-a-crime

## Who they are

Referenced as a literary figure, possibly discussed by characters, but not a scene presence.

## Relationships

### [Unknown Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nature_of_a_crime_se/characters/unknown_narrator)

_professional_

The narrator interacts with Zola in a professional context, likely as a literary or intellectual influence, but with a sense of detachment.

### [Johnson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nature_of_a_crime_se/characters/johnson)

_professional_

Johnson and Zola are linked through the narrator's professional or literary world, but their direct interaction is minimal.

### [Edward Burden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nature_of_a_crime_se/characters/edward_burden)

_social_

Edward Burden and Zola have a distant, intellectual acquaintance, possibly through literary circles, but not close.

## In the story

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nature_of_a_crime_se/chapters/ii)

Mentioned as an example of half-mad authors who add numbers on cab backs, a habit the narrator shares.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nature_of_a_crime_se/characters/zola
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nature_of_a_crime_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nature_of_a_crime_se/characters