Source
r/AYearOfLesMiserables•
burymefadetoblack

2.1.11 Chapter Discussion (Spoilers up to 2.1.11)

Spoiler

Note that spoiler markings don't appear on mobile, so please use the weekly spoiler topic, which will be posted every Saturday, if you would like to discuss later events.

Link to chapter

Discussion prompts:

  1. This is a very short chapter, and its title is a good summary of it!
  2. Hugo discusses the alternate outcomes had circumstances been different, and once again fate comes into play in the story—this time in a historical event. What do you think of this?
  3. Other points of discussion? Lines that stood out to you?

Final line:

A little later, the divisions of Losthin, Hiller, Hacke, and Ryssel deployed before Lobau's corps, the cavalry of Prince William of Prussia debouched from the forest of Paris, Plancenoit was in flames, and the Prussian cannon-balls began to rain even upon the ranks of the guard in reserve behind Napoleon.

Link to the previous chapter

Link to the 2020 discussion

Posted Mar 22, 2021, 12:00 AM UTC

75
enabellerFahnestock & MacAfee•

I like how all these "little" events are framed as a potential turning point that would have allowed Napoleon to win, but it's overwhelming how many of these events work against him. As Hugo said earlier, God must be really annoyed with Napoleon.

6
spreadjoy34Fahnestock & MacAfee•

"Destiny has such turnings." I love that line and I think it sums up this chapter, possibly this whole section, very well.

5
HStCroixPenguin Classics, Denny•

It occurred to me it was about this section of the book that I stopped reading when I first attempted to read this book 8 years ago.

It’s odd to play the what if’s with history. I think as humans we love the idea. We play it out in novels and movies. How would the world be different if Napoleon hadn’t been defeated when he had? Alas, we’ll never know because this is how everything fell into place. It’s like me wondering about my life if I had taken another job at such a point or stuck out a relationship. However, all the little things that led to the big decisions were what they were!

4
SunshineCatOriginal French/Gallimard•

2). Maybe a lot of little "what ifs" apply to the fictional characters, too. What if she had gone to Valjean when fired? What if she went and got Cosette? What if Valjean hadn't been distracted by the Champmathieu affair? Despite living in the town with Myriel's prodigy, Fantine's downfall still came.

But then, if Hugo believed fate was such an important determinant, there would be no point in this book, I think. What would Myriel's good works or Valjean's difficult decisions serve if it just came down to fate?

1
Mobile-CableHapgood•
  1. The title certainly is
  2. This is true
1