# XXXIII explained — Germinie Lacerteux

> Chapter companion for Germinie Lacerteux by Edmond de Goncourt.

## What happens

Germinie, tormented by her life and unsatisfied passion, turns to alcohol to find oblivion. She progresses from drinking socially to drinking alone, consuming strong mixtures of white wine, brandy, and absinthe to achieve a death-like sleep that numbs her suffering and shame.

## Themes in this chapter

### Female Suffering and Sacrifice

Germinie's drinking is a desperate attempt to escape her unbearable suffering and shame, highlighting the toll of her sacrifices.

### Death and Decay

Germinie seeks a death-like sleep through alcohol, preferring the oblivion of intoxication over the torment of her waking life.

## Character check-ins

### Germinie Lacerteux

Germinie descends into alcoholism, drinking to forget her troubles and seeking a leaden, dreamless sleep.

### Adèle

Adèle drinks with Germinie and takes a base delight in seeing her descend to the same level.

## Key lines

> I drink away my troubles!

Germinie admits to a woman that she uses alcohol to escape her problems.

_This quote encapsulates her motivation for drinking._

> she sought stronger decoctions of alcohol, more fiery brandy, and even drank pure absinthe, in order to produce a more deathly lethargy

Germinie escalates her drinking to stronger spirits, including pure absinthe, to achieve a deeper state of unconsciousness.

_Shows the progression of her alcoholism._

## Links

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