Emile Zola set out to study in his novel, "Thérèse Raquin", characters and temperaments. He "set out to trace, step by step, the hidden workings of passions, the urges of instinct, and the derangements of nervous crises." He concentrated on his two main characters, Thérèse and Laurent. What Zola did with these characters resembled a scientific experiment. He gave his characters situations, obstacles and problems, and noted down how they reacted to them. Zola studies how different environments and how society influences his characters and can be the root of many complications and problems.

The society found in "Thérèse Raquin" is proud and selfish, only caring about themselves and their own well being. Laurent just wants the easy life, and would do anything to get it, even if it meant murdering his best friend. Thérèse wants to get back at...