Summary

Maman Coupeau is getting older, and her health fades as she becomes ill almost every winter. During Maman’s Coupeau’s slow decline during the chapter, Gervaise, who at first felt terrible about sleeping with Lantier, has grown accustomed to her situation, and seeing no end to Coupeau’s alcoholism, continues her affair with the father of two of her three children. As the rumor of their affair is no longer just a rumor but fact, one would expect Coupeau to take issue with Lantier on the subject. However, Coupeau’s alcoholism is now in full effect: he has officially switched from wine only to a diet of rotgut, worsening his already disorderly existence. The man comes home absolutely plastered daily, and is of no help with the business or the household

The result of having both Lantier and Coupeau spending all of Gervaise...