Germinal, Part 6, Chapter 1 summary

What happens

1. Troops occupy Montsou, but the miners remain out, and arrests and dismissals follow the riot.
2. Abbé Ranvier blames the middle class for suffering and warns that God may side with the poor.
3. Hidden at Réquillart, Étienne depends on Jeanlin, fears his own violence, and imagines a political career away from manual work.
4. Industrial failures and damaged pits encourage Étienne, but the Company’s possible acquisition of Vandame reveals its continuing strength.
5. News of dangerous damage at the Voreux revives his hopes, and he visits the repair work before dawn.
6. Étienne tries to discuss politics with Jules, discovers his obedience to orders, and returns to hiding when Jeanlin signals danger.

In this chapter

What to notice

Jules treats obedience as protection against punishment. His response exposes the obstacle to Étienne’s hope of an alliance between soldiers and strikers.

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