Germinie Lacerteux · Chapter
XI explained
Germinie's life becomes entirely devoted to the creamery and Madame Jupillon's shop.
What happens
Germinie's life becomes entirely devoted to the creamery and Madame Jupillon's shop. She spends all her free time there, helping with chores and serving customers, driven by her love for Jupillon. Mademoiselle de Varandeuil, her mistress, encourages her to go out but notices her changed habits.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Obsession
Germinie's obsessive love for Jupillon drives her to spend all her time at the creamery, doing menial work just to be near him.
Female Suffering and Sacrifice
Germinie sacrifices her own time and dignity, performing unpaid labor for Madame Jupillon out of devotion to her son.
Characters to notice
- Germinie Lacerteux
Devotes her life to the creamery, doing menial work and serving customers to be near Jupillon.
- Mademoiselle de Varandeuil
Notices Germinie's changed behavior but encourages her to go out and enjoy herself.
- Madame Jupillon
Takes advantage of Germinie's devotion, resting while Germinie works and counting her money.
Key passages
“She swept the shop, she prepared the old woman’s meals and the food for the dogs. She waited upon the son; she made his bed, she brushed his clothes, she waxed his boots, happy and proud to touch what he touched, thrilling with pleasure when she placed her hand where he placed his body, and ready to kiss the mud upon the leather of his boots, because it was his!”
Germinie did all the cleaning, cooking, and personal care for Jupillon, finding joy in handling his belongings and even the dirt on his boots.
Illustrates her obsessive devotion and willingness to perform degrading tasks for love.
“Madame Jupillon rested everything upon her shoulders; and while the good-natured girl was working and perspiring, the bulky matron, assuming the majestic, leisurely air of an annuitant, anchored upon a chair in the middle of the sidewalk and inhaling the fresh air of the street, fingered and rattled the precious coin in the capacious pocket beneath her apron”
Madame Jupillon sat idly outside, counting her money, while Germinie did all the hard work.
Highlights the exploitation of Germinie by Madame Jupillon.