The Destruction Of Innocence In Zola's Letter

Zola continues in his letter by describing to the readers the story from the beginning, where Dreyfus was arrested and immediately was “clamoring his innocence…and that is how the investigation proceeded…shrouded in mystery and a wealth of the wildest expedients.” Zola’s letter lays out all the proof the government and army had to accuse Dreyfus and it is just not sufficient enough to imprison someone. Throughout the letter, proof of Dreyfus’ innocence is never brought, rather a compilation of accusations and the general injustices inflicted upon an innocent man imprisoned because of his Jewish status are stressed. Zola then writes of how “almost all of the so-called secrets that has supposedly been turned over to the enemy were of no value.” Zola thus reinforces the fact that the real crime that the government, army, and President are being accused of is the “dreadful denial of justice which has laid France low.”
Emile Zola exposes the shocking truth that the President was …show more content…
Zola desperately, and with great frustration, affirms the guilt of so many French officials, but sees no concrete way to convict them of their crimes. “They turn France inside out, they shelter behind the legitimate uproar they have caused, they seal souths by making hearts quake and perverting minds. I know of no greater crime against society.” Right here, Zola ties it all back to one of the main reasons he wrote this letter: to make sure that the truth is heard and justice will be served. The general understanding in France, that pinning a Jew for a crime he did not commit is just and acceptable, threatens France’s ability to function as a just and moral society. This “miscarriage of justice” became an outlet for the anti-Semitic slurs that were brewing in France and reinforced the “the hysterical hunt for ‘dirty Jews’ that disgraces our