Les Misérables · Chapter
In Which Little Gavroche Extracts Profit from Napoleon the Great explained
In the spring of 1832, during a harsh cold spell and cholera epidemic, Gavroche, a street urchin, encounters two lost, crying children outside a barber's shop.
What happens
In the spring of 1832, during a harsh cold spell and cholera epidemic, Gavroche, a street urchin, encounters two lost, crying children outside a barber's shop. He takes them under his wing, leading them to the dilapidated elephant statue on the Place de la Bastille, where he has made a makeshift home. Inside the elephant's belly, he comforts the children, puts them to bed, and deals with rats. Later, he meets the criminal Montparnasse, who warns him of a nearby police sergeant with a slang phrase. Gavroche then returns to his elephant with the children.
Themes in this chapter
Social Injustice and Poverty
Gavroche and the two children embody the harsh realities of poverty and homelessness in 19th-century Paris, living in a decaying elephant statue.
Love and Compassion
Gavroche shows unexpected kindness and care for the two lost children, taking them in and comforting them despite his own destitution.
The Human Condition and Fate
The chapter reflects on the resilience and resourcefulness of the poor, as Gavroche makes a home in the elephant and faces the elements and rats with humor.
Characters to notice
- Gavroche
The street urchin who takes charge of two lost children, leading them to his home inside the elephant statue and showing resourcefulness and care.
- Montparnasse
A criminal who meets Gavroche on the street, warns him of a nearby police sergeant using slang, and then departs.
- Thénardier
Mentioned indirectly as the father of the two children (Éponine and Azelma's younger brothers), though not present in the chapter.
- Éponine
Referenced as the elder sister of the two lost children, though she does not appear in the chapter.
- Azelma
Referenced as the younger sister of the two lost children, though she does not appear in the chapter.
Key passages
“Little Gavroche, who was always shivering gayly under his rags, was standing as though in ecstasy before a wig-maker’s shop in the vicinity of the Orme-Saint-Gervais.”
Gavroche, despite being poorly dressed and cold, stood cheerfully in front of a barber's shop.
Highlights Gavroche's resilience and poverty.
““Come along with me, young ’uns!””
Gavroche invites the two lost children to follow him.
Shows Gavroche's protective and authoritative role.
““It’s the rats,” replied Gavroche.”
Gavroche explains that the noise is from rats.
Demonstrates the squalid conditions of their shelter.
““Listen to what I tell you, boy! If I were on the square with my dog, my knife, and my wife, and if you were to squander ten sous on me, I wouldn’t refuse to work, but this isn’t Shrove Tuesday.””
Montparnasse uses slang to warn Gavroche that a police sergeant is nearby.
Illustrates the coded language of the criminal underworld.