Introduction
The current essay contains a discussion of the famous novel Germinal written by Émile Zola. The novel is the thirteenth book included in a series of twenty ones. It is necessary to mention that as most novels this one was first published by series of chapters in periodicals; then the world saw the book as an entire work of literature. The author raised a great number of disputable issues concerning the economic situation in the coal-mining region; the life of ordinary miners is intertwined with riots, sabotages, and accidents.
Main Body
The action of the story takes place in the mining town of Montsou in France in the 1860s. The main character, Étienne Lantier, is an engineman who is searching for a job in the pits. Here he encounters a girl Catherine and falls in love with her. Unfortunately, this girl is not the only person met by Étienne; anarchist Souvarine seems to influence the young man’s behavior. The period described in the story coincides with the period of industrialization in France.
Discussion of the Issues Introduced in the Novel
Cultural Issues within the Novel. The cultural aspect is an integral part of the discussion of human rights, activities, and customs. Strangely, people of the coal-mining town of Montsou lived their lives disregarding the hardships of their work, the poverty of their families, and economic instability within the country. Those people worked as their fathers and grandfathers did. The history of the country and geographical position of the town does not matter because this situation was common for Europe dating the middle of the nineteenth century. I think that the protagonist could be a stronger young man (I mean moral strength) while this one is not sure about anything. He seems to be a self-assured parvenu who calls upon people to go on strike.
Disputable Ideas within the Book. The novel teaches us that every action experienced by the characters of the story can be experienced by any one of us. Étienne Lantier manages to survive in the accident, whereas Catherine dies. It is obvious that he does not feel pity for her. He goes to Paris. Why could not he leave before? Why did he work in the pits? The society was latent, so was he. The society was free of ambitions but for anarchists who wanted to prevent the industrial revolution. It is possible to talk about cultural diversity with a view to freedom of the American people; though there are Americans who would not change anything either.
One of the distinctive features of multiculturalism is migration. The novel Germinal contains a vivid description of many people who search for a better life and are forced to migrate. Such issue as globalism presupposes spreading of some features, tendencies, and activities throughout the globe. Consequently, the industrialization which took place in the European countries as well as all over the world can be considered a part of globalism.
Conclusion
The novel Germinal written by Émile Zola can be considered a masterpiece of world literature and the French literary heritage. The story described in the book takes place in the French town of Montsou which is a coal-mining district where miners live with their families. The title of the novel means the rising of seeds in spring; it can be compared with the rising of human consciousness and strikes for the industrial revolution. People wanted to live better, but encountered different obstacles represented by anarchists and bribed authorities.
Reference
Zola, E. (2005). Germinal. Montana: Kessinger Publishing.