Germinal

Main Ideas

• Social injustice and class struggle: the book depicts the harsh working conditions of miners and their fight to improve their living and working conditions.
• Exploitation of the working class: Zola shows how capitalists profit from the labor of workers without caring for their well-being.
• Solidarity and collective action: the novel emphasizes the importance of workers uniting to achieve common goals and protect their rights.
• Human dignity and survival: despite the harsh conditions, the characters strive to maintain their dignity and fight for a better future.
• Impact of industrialization: Zola explores the consequences of the industrial revolution on people's lives, especially on workers and their families.
• Conflict between personal interests and the common good: characters face dilemmas where they must choose between personal gain and the welfare of the collective.