Oh my God where do i start?Emile Zola - the godfather of investigative journalism!Germinal is perhaps one of the best novels i have ever come across.Centering on a French coal mining community in the 19th century, Zola mixes social commentary, and political philosophy to create a story that is stunning,brutal,heart-breaking and at times painful.Unlike the bloody diamond mines of Sierra Leone,where the poor fight amongst themselves for survival in a hash and uncompromising economy - Germinal expresses outrage at the exploitation of many by the few,but also shows humanity's capacity for compassion and hope.The reason,why the story is so captivating is that - it's not only a mere narration about mining,labour strikes or human suffering but it's about the strengths and weaknesses of human spirit.
This is a classic example of ,class struggle that led Karl Marx at one time to be a proponent of a communist ideology.Marx felt that in a capitalist society,the rich are parasites, and will remain so, as long they control the means of production.The poor would remain poor,with no resolution, even though it's within reach and view.But in the long run, a revolution would be necessary to bring about change.But change comes at a price!
Germinal begins with the arrival of Etienne Lantier,an unemployed railway worker,who is clever,uneducated but possessing a very dangerous temper.Seeking employment,he profits from the death of a workman to take his place.Shocked at the poor conditions the miners are subjected to Etienne stirs up the miners to go on strike.The strike goes on and on all through the winter,until the general starvation and anger eventually leads them to go on a rampage.Army officers are summoned to restore order and Etienne evades arrest by hiding underground,where his accomplice ,Catherine later dies.Only survivor,Etienne is hospitalised a few weeks before heading back to Paris.
Thus, in muchokomanian terms,a violent revolution is not necessariy the only way to bring about change because there are bound to be casulties.But can a dialogue with your oppressor bring change?The advent of the 1976 Soweto uprising against Bantu Education can be attributed to the freedom of present day South Africa.Nelson Mandela had several chances to come out of prison long ago but he denied the concession that the apartheid regime wanted him to follow.He was meant to give up politics and fighting for freedom.But he refused and kept telling his comrades to keep fighting,until freedom was attained.
Zola wrote Germinal,i suppose as a social ideal that would give birth to trade unions and other human rights groups
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
Yes I think that's right - Mandela's leadership in South Africa (and to be fair the willingness of Botha to compromise) shows that a complete social revolution can be achieved with minimal violence. In Hegelian/Marxian terms it would have had to ended in the extermination of one class by another - but that leafds you more to the tragedy of Zimbabwe. So much depends for the world on South Africa and its continued development - if things go badly it will be a very grim time for the world.
On Germinal - coal mining is very symbolic in South Africa - the Stimila coal train? - Could you - seriously - do a version of Germinal for the modern day. Could you get a job in one of those mines and go don there and write about it all every evening. We might be able to get a film made for Channel Four or somebody for a project like that. There will be demand for films about South Africa during the wold cup year. What do you think?
Also Arnold - it is great that you write a lot but you need to tighten it up a bit, and just do it mroe accutately with the punctuation and gaps between words. Hypocritical I know but I am typing thoudasns of words a week. You ought to aim to get everytthing nice and tight and accurate on your blog. It will become your calling card for employment... so sorry to nag but there you are...
I suppose,it would be a groundbreaking moment for me to go underneath SA platnum mines and write the experiences.Even turn it into a movie.I would make millions.Good idea Chris.Watch the space!
Post a Comment