# Jeanlin — Germinal character guide

> Jeanlin in Germinal by Émile Zola.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** VI, little Jeanlin, VI Jeanlin, And Jeanlin, Only Jeanlin, that brigand Jeanlin

**First appearance:** 0001-germinal

## Snapshot

The Maheus' feral, sharp-eyed youngest son, already a pit-boy and already a small-time schemer, sells dandelions and bullies his friends with unnerving ease.

## Who they are

Jeanlin is maybe eleven, works underground, and has already learned that the world rewards whoever grabs first. He takes Lydie and Bébert's dandelion money, keeps nine sous for himself, and rolls Lydie in the pit-bank with the casual cruelty of a boy imitating what he's seen behind doors. His parents can't watch him, and the settlement's misery is his playground. He is the novel's clearest sign that the mine's corruption starts young.

## Relationships

### [Étienne Lantier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinal_se/characters/etienne_lantier)

_social_

Étienne oversees Jeanlin as a fellow miner and later as a subordinate in the strike, but Jeanlin's wildness strains their connection.

### [Toussaint Maheu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinal_se/characters/toussaint_maheu)

_family_

Jeanlin is Maheu's son, a mischievous and increasingly feral child who causes worry but remains part of the family unit.

### [Lydie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinal_se/characters/lydie)

_friendship_

Jeanlin and Lydie are childhood playmates and fellow truants, sharing a wild, feral bond in the mining village.

### [Toussaint Maheu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinal_se/characters/toussaint_maheu)

_family_

Jeanlin is Maheu's son, a mischievous and increasingly feral child who causes worry but remains part of the family unit.

### [Étienne Lantier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinal_se/characters/etienne_lantier)

_social_

Étienne oversees Jeanlin as a fellow miner and later as a subordinate in the strike, but Jeanlin's wildness strains their connection.

### [Lydie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinal_se/characters/lydie)

_friendship_

Jeanlin and Lydie are childhood playmates and fellow truants, sharing a wild, feral bond in the mining village.

### [Toussaint Maheu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinal_se/characters/toussaint_maheu)

_family_

Jeanlin is Maheu's son, a mischievous and increasingly feral child who causes worry but remains part of the family unit.

### [Étienne Lantier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinal_se/characters/etienne_lantier)

_social_

Étienne oversees Jeanlin as a fellow miner and later as a subordinate in the strike, but Jeanlin's wildness strains their connection.

## In the story

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinal_se/chapters/part-i-ii)

The eleven-year-old son, who sleeps with Zacharie and is woken for work.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinal_se/chapters/part-ii-iv)

Eats soup, bathes with Zacharie, and is later mentioned as having gone off with Bébert and Lydie.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinal_se/chapters/part-iii-v)

Whipped for truancy with Bébert and Lydie; later trapped in a landslip and found with both legs broken.

### [Chapter V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinal_se/chapters/part-iv-v)

Jeanlin is absent, and Maheude suspects he is up to mischief, possibly begging or finding food elsewhere.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinal_se/chapters/part-iv-vi)

Captain of the children's expeditions, he bullies Lydie and Bébert, steals a cod and a rabbit, and asserts his authority with cruelty.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinal_se/chapters/part-iv-vii)

Makes noise and eggs on other children during the meeting, showing his wild nature.

### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinal_se/chapters/part-v-iii)

Climbs on a footbridge to watch, later blows a horn to gather the crowd.

### [The Rampage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinal_se/chapters/part-v-iv)

Gallops at the head of the mob, playing barbarous music on a horn, and pours lamp oil down Mouquette's neck.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinal_se/chapters/part-v-vi)

Jeanlin is among the children throwing stones with a sling, having broken a window at Piolaine earlier.

### [Chapter I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinal_se/chapters/part-vi-i)

Acts as Étienne's purveyor, bringing supplies and information.

### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinal_se/chapters/part-vi-ii)

Mentioned as having gone away on 'business'; his absence hints at his secret activities.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinal_se/chapters/part-vi-iv)

Kills a soldier without remorse and helps Étienne bury the body in Réquillart.

### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinal_se/chapters/part-vii-ii)

Asleep and breathing with a flute-like whistle near Étienne.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinal_se/chapters/part-vii-vi)

Seen at the Voreux screening-shed, cleaning coal, unrecognizable in soot.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinal_se/characters/jeanlin
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinal_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinal_se/characters