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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Pluchart say are the union's goals?

2. What major character is killed at the confrontation at the mine?

3. What is hiding like for Etienne?

4. What promise to Etienne does Chaval break?

5. How does Lantier try to help the negotiation process?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Pluchart, Lantier's friend and the director of the International for the district, represents the unions and their self-serving attitude.

1. How does the behavior of the union support this statement?

2. Do you think the miners would have been better off if the union had never become involved in their lives? Why or Why not?

3. Do you think unions have a function in today's work world in consideration of all the labor laws? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

In the first chapter, everything is set in the dark of night; the only lighting is provided either by the moonlight or by the fire burning inside the chunks of coal.

1. Why do you think GERMINAL starts at night?

2. How does the dark relate to the book's themes?

3. Did you see any foreshadowing from the darkness in the beginning of the book? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

The implosion of the Voreux signifies the death of the starving monster. In a single strike of irony, the water flowing in the veins of the earth drowns the man-made hell.

1. What do you think this statement means?

2. What kind of picture do you see when you read Zola's descriptions of the undamaged and damaged mine?

Use examples from the text to illustrate your discussion.

(see the answer keys)

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