Explain the importance of Darwin in Germinal. How does Étienne apply Darwin’s theories to his own theories of revolution? How does Souvarine’s resentment of Darwin prove to be unfounded, according to Étienne?

Which characters show unexpected goodness, compassion, or bravery? Why is their behavior surprising, and what does it suggest about the message of the novel?

Germinal is a naturalist novel examining the effect of heredity and environment on people’s character and behavior. Does the novel suggest these forces, which determine people’s futures, are impossible to overcome? What might people do to make progress against these forces?