2. Try to interpret the Maheu family and their community in terms of "class" and "class formation." To what extent is the family the unit of "proletarian" identity? How are the roles in the families in Montsou assigned? By gender? By job?

3. According to a well-known model of "class" and "class formation," the situation of wage work defines one's position as a proletarian. But case studies such as these provide evidence of substantial variations in "wage work." What kinds of work did people do in the Nord--the setting of the novel--in addition to mining?

4. In mining specifically, what kinds of jobs were available? Do these sort themselves out on a hierarchy of status/economic position/autonomy/satisfaction? Why did people work in this community? From pure hunger? Did they take pride in their work?

5. Working class culture is formed not only through work relations, but in the community. How would you define the "workers' community" in the novel? (Think about physical space, institutions, isolation, social integration, stability, mobility, hierarchies).

6. How does the novel portray class struggle? Is the conflict between the classes what drives the action of the novel? What role does the state play? Is it on the side of either class?

7. What role is played in the novel by socialism? By class consciousness? Are they the same things?

8. How would you evaluate this novel as an historical source? (To do this, you need to list the criteria for historical sources: including making things interesting, plausible, or provocative.)