Germinal · Character
Maigrat
The company's cold, fat storekeeper, who extends credit to starving miners only when their wives or daughters are complaisant.
supporting
Also known as Monsieur Maigrat
First appearance: part i i
As a supporting figure in Germinal, Maigrat is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
Refuses Maheude credit initially, then later relents after hinting at wanting Catherine.
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Once an overseer at the Voreux, Maigrat now runs the warehouse near the manager's house where the settlement buys on credit, his business fattened by Company protection. He prides himself on never changing his mind, and…
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See Maigrat in part i iCharacter Web
27 connectionsA slice of how Maigrat sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Other
Character groups
- Exploiters & Mining Pit
- Diverse Characters & Collectives
- Maheu Family & Bourgeoisie
- Hennebeau Household & Bourgeois
- Protagonist
+22 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because Étienne experiences a profound psychological reversal: his past…
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Maigrat appears across 3 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Maigrat unlock in the free preview.
See Maigrat in part i i