# The Old Man — Germinal character guide

> The Old Man in Germinal by Émile Zola.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** the old man

**First appearance:** 0001-germinal

## Who they are

An elderly miner, often representing the older generation's perspective.

## Relationships

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

_social_

The Old Man is a minor elder in the community, likely a retired miner, with whom Étienne exchanges words.

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

_social_

The Old Man is a minor elder in the community, likely a retired miner, with whom Étienne exchanges words.

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

_social_

The Old Man is a minor elder in the community, likely a retired miner, with whom Étienne exchanges words.

## Links

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