Summary of chapters 4.14.7-5.1.2:

Marius kisses Eponine’s head after she dies. In his hand, he holds the letter she gave him, knowing it must contain something important. He opens the note, after leaving Eponine’s body, and finds it is a note from Cosette telling him her new address. Hugo tells the reader Eponine was responsible for much—telling Valjean to leave, trying to get Cosette’s letter to Marius, and finally, assuring Marius of Cosette’s love after all. Marius decides what he must do is to tell Cosette of his own death (which he thinks he will surely meet at the barricades) and to save Gavroche from certain harm. He writes a note to Cosette saying their marriage is impossible, on the basis that his grandfather has denied it, and says he loves her but that he will likely be dead by the time she gets the note. This he sends Gavroche away from the barricades to deliver. He has also written a note identifying himself and directing his body to be taken to his grandfather’s house when he dies. Meanwhile, Valjean and Cosette (along with Toussaint) have arrived in the Rue de l’Homme Armé, where they will now be lodging. In this new place, Valjean feels calmer, thinking he cannot be found by whoever may be searching for him. Valjean is mostly ignorant of the fighting going on in Paris; Cosette is distressed to be leaving Marius when they go to England. When Cosette writes her note to Marius informing him of her new address there, Valjean happens to pass and reads the note in the mirror, learning in alarm of Cosette’s beloved. He later confirms what he read in the mirror in the reverse imprint on her letter blotter and feels disturbed—he had thought that connection over long ago. Valjean thinks that “of all the tortures which he had undergone in that inquisition of destiny, this was the most fearful.” Basically, he considers her lost to him, after all the love he has given her. He tries to think about who this beloved could be and figures out pretty quickly that it must be that “unknown prowler of the Luxembourg” and begins to hate him intensely. Valjean asks Toussaint where the fighting is taking place and she answers that it is by Saint Merry. He goes outside in a delirium and sits there for hours in thought. Gavroche arrives in the Rue de l’Homme Armé with the letter for Cosette and is met by Valjean, who convinces Gavroche to give him the letter. Gavroche confirms the letter comes from the barricade in the Rue de la Chanvrerie. Valjean takes the letter inside, reads it, but only comprehends part. He decides to keep the letter from Cosette, thinking that would be the end of the romance if Marius dies, which he likely will. He does, however, put on his uniform of the National Guard, get a gun and cartridges, and head toward the barricades. Elsewhere, Gavroche is having an adventure—he takes a cart from a sleeping drunk for the barricade, is accosted by a sergeant and talks his way out of an altercation with him and his men. Hugo describes the impression of the barricades of the present revolt, especially the barricade Saint Antoine, which was truly enormous. He also describes the two men responsible for the barricade Saint Antoine and the barricade du Temple, Cournet and Barthélemy. In comparison to these two colossal barricades, the one of the Rue de la Chanvrerie is small, but effective enough. Enjolras has commanded his group to advantage, as the barricade has been made larger and more formidable. Rest is recommended, but few sleep. There is no food left. At two o’clock in the morning, there are 37 insurgents left in that barricade.

Questions for 5.1.2:

1. What do you think could be done to give these remaining revolutionaries hope in their cause? What do you think will happen to Marius?
2. Did you have a favorite line or passage from this chapter? If so, what made it stand out to you?
3. Were there any instances of figurative language you thought added to the narrative of this chapter?
4. Do you have any other comments or questions about this chapter?

Final line:

Oh! who will give me to pronounce [...] or of Edapteon?

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