# I: Which Treats of the Manner of Entering a Convent explained — Les Misérables

> Chapter companion for Les Misérables by Victor Hugo.

## What happens

Jean Valjean and Cosette have taken refuge in a convent garden, having scaled the wall. Fauchelevent, the gardener, discovers them and agrees to help them stay hidden. They discuss the dangers of discovery by the nuns or pupils, and Fauchelevent devises a plan to smuggle Cosette out and back in to legitimize their presence. The chapter explores the tension between safety and exposure within the cloister.

## Themes in this chapter

### Suffering and Sacrifice

Fauchelevent's selfless devotion to Jean Valjean, risking his own safety out of gratitude.

### Redemption and Transformation

Jean Valjean seeks a new life of safety and moral renewal within the convent walls.

## Character check-ins

### Jean Valjean

Has fled to the convent with Cosette; determined to remain hidden there; grateful to Fauchelevent.

### Father Fauchelevent

The convent gardener; indebted to Jean Valjean for saving his life; devises a plan to help them stay.

### Cosette

Asleep in the hut; Jean Valjean's charge; her education is considered by Valjean.

## Key lines

> This convent would be our salvation.

Jean Valjean realizes the convent could be a safe haven for him and Cosette.

_Valjean's hope for refuge and a new beginning._

> The difficulty is to get out.

Fauchelevent points out that leaving the convent is the real challenge.

_The paradox of needing to exit in order to re-enter legitimately._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/i-which-treats-of-the-manner-of-entering-a-convent
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters