2.4.1 Chapter Discussion and Week 15 Summary (Spoilers up to 2.4.1)
Personally, I'm so glad we're into the "real" plot of the book-- it only took about 400 pages!
Summary of chapters 2.3.6-2.4.1:
The same day that Cosette was made to go to the spring for water, a man was seen in and around the area near Montfermeil. This strange man seems either 50 or 60 and carries a package. Cosette and the traveler walk back to the Thénardiers' inn and as he learns more about Cosette, the man seems shocked by her. Cosette, who trusts this man whole-heartedly, talks about how she works all day while Eponine and Azelma play. When they arrive at the inn, Cosette takes back the bucket for fear of the Thénardiess' punishment. The Thénardiers can't tell if the traveler is rich or poor, because his clothes do not match the way he handles money. He wants Cosette to play so he pays for her work, and later purchases the gigantic doll for Cosette (which she names Catharine). At the end of the night, the traveler is taken to one of the best bedrooms. Remembering it is Christmas, he slips a gold louis into Cosette's shoe-- more than Eponine and Azelma got. After the events of the previous evening, the Thénardiers agree they want Cosette gone, which is convenient because the traveler says he will take Cosette and pay her debts. They haggle, but the traveler is allowed to take Cosette, and he gives her a full outfit of mourning clothes that he already had. Mme Thénardier questions her husband's decision and he thinks about the clothes, then goes after the traveler and Cosette. Although he finds them and tries to give back the money, the traveler presents a note from Fantine saying to deliver Cosette into the hands of the bearer-- feeling threatened by the traveler, M. Thénardier leaves them. Not surprisingly, Hugo reveals the traveler to be Jean Valjean, who did not die when he fell from the dock, but rather swam away, hid, and made his way to Paris for Cosette's mourning outfit, them to Montfermeil. Hugo describes the Gorbeau House, which is dismal and out of the way such that no one would go near it if they passed it.
Questions for 2.4.1:
- Did you have a favorite line or passage from this chapter? If so, was there something that made it stand out to you?
- If you noticed figurative language in this chapter, how did you think it contributed to the story or chapter?
- What do you think is the significance of the Gorbeau house? (No spoilers at this point, please).
- Do you have any other comments or questions about this chapter or week's chapters?
Final line:
One morning, a memorable morning in July, 1845, black kettles [...] stepped across into the Faubourg Saint Marceau.
There will be a new Spoiler Thread up tonight as well for the upcoming chapters for this week.
Posted Apr 13, 2019, 8:38 PM UTC