Germinie Lacerteux: Analysis of Major Characters
"Germinie Lacerteux" is a novel that explores the life and struggles of its titular character, an orphan who navigates a harsh existence filled with abandonment and unfulfilled desires. Starting her working life as a waitress at a young age, Germinie becomes a victim of seduction and faces numerous hardships, including a stillborn child and overwhelming emotional turmoil. Her desperate need for love leads her into relationships that ultimately exploit her vulnerability, particularly with M. Jupillon, who abandons her for another woman while still taking advantage of her financially.
The novel also features significant characters such as Mlle de Varandeuil, Germinie's employer, who remains oblivious to Germinie's struggles until it's too late, and Mme Jupillon, who manipulates Germinie's kindness for her own gain. Another important figure is M. Gautruche, a brief love interest whom Germinie ultimately rejects, highlighting her complex relationship with affection and commitment. Overall, "Germinie Lacerteux" is a poignant commentary on the challenges faced by women in a society that often overlooks their needs and agency, making it a compelling study of character dynamics and social critique.
Germinie Lacerteux: Analysis of Major Characters
Authors: Jules de Goncourt and Edmond de Goncourt
First published: 1865 (English translation, 1887)
Genre: Novel
Locale: Paris
Plot: Naturalism
Time: Nineteenth century
Germinie Lacerteux (zhehr-mee-NEE lah-sehr-TEW), an orphan reared by her sisters. Set to work as a waitress at the age of fourteen, she is soon seduced and bears a stillborn child. After a series of jobs she becomes the maid of Mlle de Varandeuil. Because she is naïve, people take advantage of her, even members of her family. She has a desperate need for love, physically and psychologically, which proves her undoing many times. She becomes an alcoholic. She dies of pleurisy after standing hours in the rain in hopes of seeing Jupillon, her former lover.
Mlle de Varandeuil (vah-rahn-DEW-yeh), an old maid with few friends or acquaintances and little money. She becomes Germinie's employer. She does not see Germinie's weaknesses, even her drunkenness, for she is too old to want to hire a new servant. She learns of the frustrations in Germinie's life only after her death.
M. Jupillon (zhew-pee-YOHN), loved by Germinie, though he is ten years her junior. He takes advantage of her and becomes her lover. They have a son who lives only a few months. Though he leaves Germinie for another woman, he still takes her hard-earned money to buy his way out of military service.
Mme Jupillon, M. Jupillon's mother. She owns a dairy store near where Germinie is employed by Mlle de Varandeuil. She takes advantage of Germinie's willingness to help in the store.
M. Gautruche (goh-TREWSH), another of Germinie's lovers. She wants him only as an object for her affections. To his surprise, she refuses to marry him when he proposes, and they part forever.