«Initiation» in Dutch with a Parallel Translation

"Initiation" is a novel written by Marcellus Emants, a Dutch writer. The novel follows the life of the protagonist, a young man named Philip, as he navigates the complexities of love, passion, and societal expectations. Caught between his love for Emilia, a woman from a higher social class, and his affair with Nora, a woman of lower social standing, Philip grapples with his own desires and the constraints imposed by the rigid social hierarchy of 19th-century Netherlands. The novel explores themes of forbidden love, personal identity, and the consequences of societal norms and expectations. "Initiation" was first published in 1894 and is considered one of Emants' most significant works.