# The Friends of the A.B.C. explained — Les Misérables

> Chapter companion for Les Misérables by Victor Hugo.

## What happens

This chapter introduces the secret society known as the Friends of the A.B.C., a group of young revolutionaries in Paris. It details their meetings, their ideals, and their key members, including Enjolras, Combeferre, and others, setting the stage for their role in the coming uprising.

## Themes in this chapter

### Revolution and Social Upheaval

The chapter centers on the formation and ideals of a revolutionary group, highlighting their desire to overturn the existing social order.

### The Human Condition and Fate

The diverse characters and their motivations within the group explore the human struggle for meaning and justice in a flawed society.

## Character check-ins

### Enjolras

Introduced as the leader of the Friends of the A.B.C., a charismatic and dedicated revolutionary.

### Combeferre

A member of the Friends of the A.B.C., known for his philosophical and humane approach to revolution.

### Feuilly

A member of the Friends of the A.B.C., a working-class revolutionary with a passion for international liberation.

### Courfeyrac

A member of the Friends of the A.B.C., known for his cheerful and generous nature.

### Grantaire

A member of the Friends of the A.B.C., a skeptic and drunkard who admires Enjolras despite their differences.

## Key lines

> The Friends of the A.B.C. were a secret society, but they were not a secret society in the ordinary sense of the word. They were a group of young men who met in a café to discuss politics and to plan the overthrow of the government.

The Friends of the A.B.C. was a clandestine group of young men who gathered at a café to talk politics and plot the government's downfall.

_Introduces the nature and purpose of the society._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/book-iv-the-friends-of-the-a-b-c
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters