It is also essential for development of nerval system by programmed cell death. La Pandora is a short novella by the French poet and writer Gerard de Nerval. The precise meaning of the title, which Nerval chose just before publication, is uncertain. Nerval describes a visit he made to Pompeii. Through Nerval, he became acquainted with the already famous Dumas in 1838. Nerval had an unhappy love for a real actress, Jenny Colon. In real life, Nerval lost his mother at an early age. As in the story, Nerval often traveled to Germany and to the east. During 1853, Nerval had suffered three nervous breakdowns and spent five months in an asylum.