Les Misérables · Chapter
The Water Question at Montfermeil explained
This chapter describes the village of Montfermeil in 1823, highlighting its scarcity of water due to its elevated plateau.
What happens
This chapter describes the village of Montfermeil in 1823, highlighting its scarcity of water due to its elevated plateau. The Thénardier tavern is a central location, where Cosette is forced to serve as a servant and fetch water. On Christmas Eve, the tavern is filled with drinkers and political talk, while Cosette knits stockings for the Thénardier children and is subjected to neglect. The chapter also introduces the Thénardiers' youngest child, who is ignored and left to cry.
Themes in this chapter
Social Injustice and Poverty
Cosette's exploitation as a servant, her ragged clothing, and the Thénardiers' neglect of their own youngest child illustrate the harsh realities of poverty and social injustice.
Suffering and Sacrifice
Cosette's fear of fetching water at night and her forced labor for the Thénardiers highlight her suffering and the sacrifices she must endure.
Characters to notice
- Cosette
Cosette is in her usual place by the chimney, knitting woollen stockings for the Thénardier children. She is in rags and barefoot, and is terrified of fetching water at night.
- Thénardier
Thénardier is drinking with customers and talking politics, including the Spanish war and the Duke of Angoulême. He dismissively tells his wife to attend to their crying son.
- Madame Thénardier
Madame Thénardier is attending to the supper and shows indifference to her youngest child, saying 'he bothers me' when the child cries.
- Éponine
Éponine is heard laughing and chattering in the adjoining room with her sister Azelma.
- Azelma
Azelma is with her sister Éponine, laughing and chattering in the adjoining room.
Key passages
“Montfermeil is situated between Livry and Chelles, on the southern edge of that lofty tableland which separates the Ourcq from the Marne.”
Montfermeil lies between Livry and Chelles, on the southern edge of a high plateau that divides the Ourcq and Marne rivers.
Describes the geographical setting of Montfermeil.
“It will be remembered that Cosette was useful to the Thénardiers in two ways: they made the mother pay them, and they made the child serve them.”
Cosette served the Thénardiers in two ways: her mother paid them, and they forced her to work as a servant.
Explains the Thénardiers' exploitation of Cosette.