NanaOne of the greatest of the Rougon Macquart series, Zola's prostitute represents the destructiveness of a corrupt and decaying society. Born to drunken parents in the slums of Paris, Nana lives in squalor until she is discovered at the Thtre des Varits. She soon rises from the streets to set the city alight as the most famous high class prostitute of her day. Rich men, Comtes, and Marquises fall at her feet, great ladies try to emulate her appearance,