Germinie Lacerteux · Chapter
XXVIII explained
Mademoiselle de Varandeuil endures Germinie's erratic moods and despair during the winter, attributing her suffering to the season and her own secret sorrow.
What happens
Mademoiselle de Varandeuil endures Germinie's erratic moods and despair during the winter, attributing her suffering to the season and her own secret sorrow. Despite Germinie's irritability and silence, Mademoiselle remains patient and devoted, viewing her as a daughter. Germinie occasionally returns to affectionate outbursts, but refuses to reveal the cause of her distress.
Themes in this chapter
Female Suffering and Sacrifice
Germinie's hidden anguish and Mademoiselle's silent endurance exemplify the suffering and sacrifice expected of women, particularly in domestic roles.
Hypocrisy and Secrecy
Germinie's refusal to reveal her secret sorrow and her pretense that 'nothing's the matter' underscore the theme of hidden truths and emotional hypocrisy.
Characters to notice
- Germinie Lacerteux
Germinie is consumed by despair, weeping silently, adopting funereal attitudes, and lashing out at Mademoiselle with irritable moods and silence. She occasionally breaks into affectionate displays but refuses to explain her suffering.
- Mademoiselle de Varandeuil
Mademoiselle patiently endures Germinie's ill-humor, choosing silence and pity over confrontation. She sees Germinie as her last friend and adopted daughter, and is powerless to comfort her.
Key passages
“She adopted dumb, despairing, funereal attitudes, the airs by which a woman's body diffuses melancholy and makes her very shadow a bore.”
Germinie's posture and demeanor radiated such deep sadness that even her presence became tiresome.
Describes Germinie's overwhelming despair and its effect on Mademoiselle.
“The solitary old woman, overlooked by death, alone at the end of her life, dragging her affections from grave to grave, had found her last friend in her servant.”
Mademoiselle, isolated and having outlived all her loved ones, now relies on Germinie as her final companion.
Highlights Mademoiselle's loneliness and her deep bond with Germinie.