In a gripping tale of struggle and resilience, Étienne Lantier embarks on a journey from Marchiennes to Montsou in search of employment. Along the way, he encounters Vincent Maheu, known as Bonnemort, a miner who has narrowly escaped death several times. As Étienne integrates into the harsh world of mining, he becomes a catalyst for change, inspiring others to stand up against the injustices they face.

Étienne's Introduction to the Mining World

Marching towards Montsou, Étienne Lantier seeks work and meets Vincent Maheu, whose nickname, Bonnemort, reflects his countless near-death experiences in the mines. Approaching the age of sixty, Bonnemort suffers from a persistent cough caused by inhaling dust from the mines. His family includes seven children, with Zacharie, Catherine, and Jeanlin working in the mines. Their daily life is a routine marked by struggle, as evidenced by their neighbors, the Levaque family, whose daughter Philomène, plagued by a lung ailment, can only endure so much.

Life Below the Surface

Étienne secures a job and descends into the mine alongside Maheu, Zacharie, Chaval, Levaque, and Catherine. Initially mistaking Catherine for a boy, Étienne soon witnesses Chaval’s aggressive behavior towards her, sparking his anger. Despite the oppressive conditions, Étienne chooses to remain in the mine, determined to make a change. The workers' resentment towards their low wages and the ever-present dangers in the shafts simmer beneath a fragile surface.

The Contrast of Lives

While the miners toil, M. Grégoire enjoys the luxury afforded by his inherited share in the Montsou mines. His family, including his wife and daughter Cecile, live comfortably, with Cecile’s marriage to Négrel already planned. Meanwhile, Maheude, Maheu’s wife, seeks charity from the Grégoires, receiving little more than warm clothes due to their belief that money would be squandered. Left with no choice, Maheude turns to Maigrat, a shopkeeper who expects favors in return for loans, targeting Catherine for his advances. Catherine’s escape leads her to Chaval, who seduces her, observed by a disheartened Étienne.

Building Alliances and Resentment

Quickly adapting to his new environment, Étienne gains the respect of Maheu and befriends his fellow miners, while harboring a silent grudge against Chaval. At home, Étienne engages in deep discussions with Souvarine, who believes in violent revolution for social change, and is captivated by a Marxist ideology promising workers’ liberation. Disgusted by the miners’ hardships, Étienne dreams of organizing a strike fund, sharing his plans with Rasseneur, his host.

Stirring the Embers of Rebellion

After Zacharie marries Philomène, Étienne becomes a boarder with the Maheu family, passionately advocating for socialist ideals. As summer progresses, his influence grows, earning him recognition among neighbors and swelling the strike fund. His role as secretary provides a small income, bolstering his confidence and ambition. However, a change in the company’s wage structure incites unrest among the miners, pushing them closer to a strike, exacerbated by a tragic accident that cripples young Jeanlin.

The Strike and Rising Tensions

In December, the miners declare a strike, confronting the indifference of M. Hennebeau while their families suffer from hunger. Étienne’s socialist sermons resonate with the desperate crowd, determined to resist any concession without adequate compensation. As the strike drags on, frustration boils over into a riot, with the miners marching to stop production at other pits, leaving destruction in their wake. Catherine, still loyal to Chaval, turns against him when he betrays the strikers to the authorities, choosing instead to warn Étienne of looming danger.

The Struggle and Its Consequences

Forced into hiding, Étienne relies on Jeanlin, now a petty thief, while the Maheu family endures hardship. Alzire, a young child, approaches death from starvation,...