# LXIII explained — Germinie Lacerteux

> Chapter companion for Germinie Lacerteux by Edmond de Goncourt.

## What happens

Germinie's health deteriorates severely in October; she refuses to stay in bed but grows weaker. Mademoiselle finds her in a wretched attic room. The doctor diagnoses peritonitis and arranges for her admission to Lariboisière hospital. Germinie, surprisingly cheerful, looks forward to going.

## Themes in this chapter

### Death and Decay

Germinie's physical decline and the grim description of her attic room emphasize the theme of mortality.

### Female Suffering and Sacrifice

Germinie's relentless effort to continue working despite her fatal illness highlights her suffering and self-sacrifice.

## Character check-ins

### Germinie Lacerteux

Severely ill with peritonitis, refuses bed rest, eventually agrees to go to the hospital.

### Mademoiselle de Varandeuil

Visits Germinie in her attic room, calls the doctor, and arranges for her care.

## Key lines

> Throughout the month of October, Germinie obstinately refused to take to her bed. Each day, however, she was weaker and more helpless than the day before.

All through October, Germinie stubbornly stayed out of bed, though she grew frailer daily.

_Highlights her determination and worsening condition._

> It was a small attic room, without a chimney, with a scuttle window in the sloping roof, which admitted the heat of summer and the cold of winter.

Her attic room was tiny, unheated, with a skylight that let in summer heat and winter cold.

_Describes the harsh living conditions of the poor._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/lxiii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters