HUNGRY AND HOMELESS, ETIENNE LANTIER STUMBLES INTO THE MINING COMMUNITY OF MONTSOU AND ENTERS THE HARSH UNDERGROUND WORLD OF THE PIT-FACE. WHEN THE MINERS, FACED WITH CUTS TO WAGES ALREADY AT STARVATION LEVEL, REACT WITH DULL RESIGNATION, ETIENNE IS APPALLED. DISCOVERING A STRIDENT POLITICAL VOICE WITHIN HIMSELF HE ORGANIZES AND LEADS A STRIKE. AS THE UNEQUAL CONFLICT GRINDS ON, BITTER RIVALRIES EMERGE IN LOVE AND IN POLITICAL VISION. THE STRUGGLE FOR DIGNITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE SLIPS TOWARD ANARCHY AND THE FORCES OF REPRESSION ARE INEXORABLE IN THEIR RESPONSE.