Germinie Lacerteux · Chapter
XVI explained
Germinie attends a ball at the Boule-Noire, hoping to find Jupillon.
What happens
Germinie attends a ball at the Boule-Noire, hoping to find Jupillon. She endures hostile stares and whispers from the other women, who mock her hat, flounced skirt, and gold brooch. After searching the hall, she spots Jupillon sitting between two women at a table. When she confronts him, he treats her with contempt, offering her a seat with his companions and allowing them to insult her. Germinie insists he speak with her outside, and he reluctantly follows.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Inequality
The ballroom's tawdry splendor and the women's worn, dark clothing highlight the poverty and class divisions among the attendees.
Love and Obsession
Germinie's desperate search for Jupillon and her willingness to endure humiliation for his attention illustrate her obsessive love.
Hypocrisy and Secrecy
Jupillon's public contempt for Germinie contrasts with his private exploitation of her devotion, revealing the hypocrisy in their relationship.
Characters to notice
- Germinie Lacerteux
Attends the ball at Boule-Noire, endures mockery from other women, and confronts Jupillon.
- Madame Jupillon
Referred to as Jupillon; Germinie finds him sitting with two women at a table.
Key passages
“Her hat—only about a dozen women at the ball wore hats—her flounced skirt, the white hem of which could be seen under her dress, the gold brooch that secured her shawl awakened malevolent curiosity all about her.”
Germinie's hat, flounced skirt, and gold brooch made her stand out and drew hostile attention from the other women at the ball.
Highlights Germinie's difference in dress and the social scrutiny she faces.
“Jupillon smiled internally, and simpered and sneered externally. His whole manner displayed the cowardly delight that evil-minded persons take in watching the suffering of those who suffer because of loving them.”
Jupillon took pleasure in Germinie's distress, smiling cruelly as he watched her suffer for loving him.
Reveals Jupillon's sadistic enjoyment of Germinie's emotional pain.