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Link to chapter

Discussion prompts:

1. How much of this do you think was Valjean's fault, as Marius reminds him? Hiding his good deeds is the same thing that kept the people from knowing they could trust him as Madeleine in Montreuil.

2. Do you have any general thoughts on Valjean's death or his monologue at the end? He finally told Cosette who her mother was and how unhappy her life was. Why do you think he never told her even those few things?

3. Valjean says he was most worried that Cosette (and Marius by extension) would not spend the money he gave them lavishly. They inherited 600,000 francs from him; a box of money for the poor contains 500 francs. How well do you think Valjean has followed Myriel's example, and is focusing so much on one girl's happiness in line with that? (in this chapter, Valjean says he made Cosette as happy as her mother was unhappy, so he seems to see it as proportionate.)

4. Do you have any reflections on Valjean's life as a whole?

5. Other points of discussion? Favorite lines?

Final line:

He was dead.

The night was starless and extremely dark. No doubt, in the gloom, some immense angel stood erect with wings outspread, awaiting that soul.

Link to the previous chapter

Link to the 2020 discussion