Summary of chapters 5.1.3-5.1.9:

Enjolras goes on a reconnaissance outing. The insurgents, while they are few, are still hopeful that they will be victorious. Enjolras returns and says there is a large army approaching and that the people of Paris have not risen to their aid as hoped. An unknown voice cries out saying they should then build their barricade even higher. Enjolras has four National Guard uniforms—these are an opportunity for anyone who wishes to escape the barricade and return to their wives or children, says Combeferre. Marius, broken down as he his, adds his voice to those of Enjolras and Combeferre, saying that “married men and supports of families” should leave. Five men volunteer or are volunteered who fit these conditions, and because there are only four uniforms, they think one of them must stay, until a fifth uniform is dropped by M. Fauchelevent (as Marius knows him), giving the five men all a chance to leave. Valjean has entered the barricade in that uniform. Enjolras is now filled with melancholy and gives the men a rousing speech. We turn to Marius: he feels as if he is already dead; he wonders at the presence of M. Fauchelevent and thinks of Cosette “with an oppression of the heart.” Enjolras thinks of Javert, tied to the pillar, and tells Javert they will kill him later because they need all of their ammunition at present. Javert asks to be moved from the pillar and a few of the insurgents move him. Javert raises his eyes and recognizes Valjean. The streets are totally empty, and the barricade has been made stronger; Enjolras even barricades the small passage of the Rue Mondétour so there is only one entrance to their position. It is nearing daylight as they wait for combat. The army outside attacks with cannon-fire and Enjolras calls for a return of fire. Gavroche comes back to the barricade. Marius quickly takes Gavroche aside and asks if his letter was delivered, to which Gavroche says he gave it to a porter. Marius wonders about the connection between his letter and M. Fauchelevent appearing in the barricade, and asks Gavroche if he knows the man, but he does not, because he only saw Fauchelevent in the night. Enjolras kills the gunner on the opposing side to give the insurgents some time to get the upper hand, and to fix the barricade, which would surely be breached if it took another cannonball shot. Enjolras makes the decision that a mattress must be put in the hole of the barricade to take the blows coming in. Valjean shoots one down from a window of a person who had hung it there to protect herself. Valjean also then goes into the street to retrieve the mattress and puts it into the opening of the barricade. The cannon shoots, and the mattress preserves the barricade.

Questions for 5.1.9:

1. Do you think Valjean's actions are enough for him to be trusted by the other insurgents? What do you think will happen with Javert, who has recognized Valjean?
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:

But it is all the same; glory to the mattress which nullifies a cannon.

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