Germinal and Sociology

Mustafa Enes Şahin

GERMINAL AND SOCIOLOGY

            Emile Zola’s novel Germinal was published in 1885 and this novel have been adapted for cinema in 1993. The writer mentions about workers life and working condition. He explains at that time France social structure. In my opinion this book is very useful source in order to answer these questions: Why do we need sociology? And Why do we need     theories in sociology?

           

            First of all, we live in the society. We need each other help in order to continue our lives easily. Therefore we have to understand people’s problems, requirements. Above all we should understand ourselves, our identity, and our place in society. Sociology enables us to understand all of these things. For example in Germinal movie; society divided by two class; upper class and lower class. Upper class represents mine owners in the movie. Lower class contains miners in the movie. This situation creates social stratification. In addition, mine owners employs miners with very low wage because of that all family members have to work even if they children. In other words, upper class controls lower class. All these things cause to query lower class their condition. That is why we need sociology because we can explain this society via sociology.

            Secondly, theories are very important element of sociology because they enable us to understand and explain the social world. For example, in the movie worker class internalize Karl Marx’s theory because they are against capitalist system. They want more salary and more rights. Therefore, we can understand their problem with Karl Marx’s theory that is why we need theories in sociology.

           

            To conclude, sociology enable to us understand society and theories make possible to explain our World, our society. Both of them are essential part of our lives.