Germinal · Chapter
II explained
The Maheu family awakens before dawn to prepare for another day of work at the Voreux mine.
What happens
The Maheu family awakens before dawn to prepare for another day of work at the Voreux mine. The chapter depicts the cramped, impoverished conditions of their home, the struggle to feed ten family members, and the exhausting routine of the miners. Catherine, the eldest daughter, rises first to make coffee and prepare the 'bricks' of bread and cheese for the family to take to the pit. The parents, Maheu and Maheude, discuss their dire financial situation, with only nine francs coming in and sixty francs owed to Maigrat. Maheude plans to visit the Piolaine people, hoping for charity. The chapter ends with the miners heading out into the cold, dark morning.
Themes in this chapter
Poverty and Suffering
The Maheus' struggle to feed ten people on nine francs, with an empty cupboard and debts to Maigrat, highlights the crushing poverty of mining families.
Family and Gender Roles
Catherine, as the eldest daughter, takes on domestic duties like preparing food and waking the family, while Maheu works in the mine and Maheude manages the household and children.
Labor and the Strike
The chapter sets the stage for labor unrest by depicting the exhaustion and financial desperation that will later fuel the strike.
Characters to notice
- Catherine
The fifteen-year-old daughter who wakes first, lights the candle, prepares coffee and the family's bread-and-cheese 'bricks' for the mine.
- Toussaint Maheu
The father, a miner at forty-two, who wakes grumbling and dresses for work, discussing the family's poverty with Maheude.
- Maheude
The mother, exhausted and nursing baby Estelle, laments the lack of money and food, planning to beg from the Piolaine people.
- Zacharie
The eldest son, twenty-one, who sleeps with Jeanlin and is reluctantly woken by Catherine.
- Jeanlin
The eleven-year-old son, who sleeps with Zacharie and is woken for work.
- Alzire
The nine-year-old daughter, a small invalid with a humpback, who shares a bed with Catherine and watches with open eyes.
- Estelle
The three-month-old baby, whose crying disturbs the household and who is soothed by nursing at Maheude's breast.
- Bonnemort
Mentioned as the grandfather, whom Maheu resembles; he also works and contributes to the family income.
Key passages
“Eh? You know I haven't a penny and this is only Monday: still six days before the fortnight's out. This can't go on. You, all of you, only bring in nine francs. How do you expect me to go on? We are ten in the house.”
Maheude complains that the family's total earnings of nine francs are insufficient to support ten people, with six days remaining until payday.
This dialogue underscores the family's extreme poverty and the constant pressure of making ends meet.
“Blow out the candle: I don't need to see the colour of my thoughts.”
Maheude tells Maheu to extinguish the candle, as she prefers darkness to dwelling on her bleak thoughts.
This line reflects Maheude's resignation and despair about their hopeless situation.