# To Confide Is Sometimes to Deliver Into a Person’s Power explained — Les Misérables

> Chapter companion for Les Misérables by Victor Hugo.

## What happens

Jean Valjean, now living under the alias Ultime Fauchelevent, confides in Father Fauchelevent about his need to escape the convent with Cosette. The old gardener devises a plan to smuggle Valjean out in a coffin, relying on the gravedigger's absence. The plan succeeds, allowing Valjean and Cosette to leave the convent safely.

## Themes in this chapter

### Redemption and Transformation

Valjean's escape from the convent marks another step in his transformation, leaving behind a life of hiding to embrace a new identity.

### Suffering and Sacrifice

The plan to hide in a coffin symbolizes the extreme sacrifices Valjean is willing to make for Cosette's safety.

## Character check-ins

### Jean Valjean

Confides in Father Fauchelevent about his need to escape the convent with Cosette.

### Father Fauchelevent

Devises and executes the plan to smuggle Valjean out of the convent in a coffin.

### Cosette

Is smuggled out of the convent alongside Valjean.

### Mother Crucifixion

The reverend mother who agrees to let Valjean leave the convent.

## Key lines

> To confide is sometimes to deliver into a person's power.

Trusting someone with a secret can give them control over you.

_The chapter's title reflects the risk Valjean takes in revealing his identity to Fauchelevent._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/book-iv-to-confide-is-sometimes-to-deliver-into-a-person-s-power
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters