Summary of chapters 5.3.1-5.3.7:

The sewer previously described is where Jean Valjean is—it is as if he is in a cave. Valjean does not know if Marius is alive or dead at this point and cannot see anything, but can smell the stink of the sewer. He sees a bit of light through the air hole above and gets his bearings briefly. Thinking that the soldiers could also notice the hole through which he entered the sewer, Valjean hoists Marius onto his shoulders and steps into the obscurity to find his way out. Valjean quickly understands that to go through is to go down, thinking of the streets above him, although Hugo tells his readers that they do not mirror the current streets, but the streets as they were when the sewer was first laid out. As he feels his way through the sewer, Valjean suddenly sees his shadow and turns to find a patrol of police there. He stands very still, and they depart. Hugo tells us of two men, one of which discovers a hinged grating and enters it, taking a key from the door, the other of which posts himself outside that grating to wait for the man to leave it. Jean Valjean continues on his way as the advance becomes more difficult. He takes the correct path when he comes to options and stops to rest at the bank of the sewer. He lays Marius down, bandages his wounds, and finds the bread and note Marius put in his pocket before the attack at the barricade. Valjean learns Marius’ name and address and eats the bread to sustain himself, then picks Marius back up and continues the journey. He goes through a large paved section that gives way to an unpaved and extremely dark section. Valjean finds himself in a mudhole caused by the previous day’s rain and knows he must advance to save Marius. He is in up to his armpits and sinks even deeper, all while holding Marius above him. Valjean’s foot strikes something solid and he pushes off, getting them to solid ground again. He resumes the course, weakened, but sees the light of day nearby. He takes hold of Marius and runs toward the outlet, which he reaches, but finds he cannot open the grating. He sets Marius down and tries to break the bars or lock but cannot. Valjean feels hopeless and anguished, and thinks only of Cosette.

Questions for 5.3.7:

1. How do you think Valjean will get himself and Marius out of the prison of the sewer? What do you think will happen if/when they do get out?
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:

He thought of Cosette.

Previous discussion

Previous summary (updated to add summary, finally)

[New weekly spoiler thread up tomorrow, and don't forget to vote for next year's read! I have a link to the discussion post with a poll linked in yesterday's post if you click through!]