# In Which the Reader Will Peruse Two Verses, Which Are of the Devil's Composition, Possibly explained — Les Misérables

> Chapter companion for Les Misérables by Victor Hugo.

## What happens

This chapter delves into the local superstitions of Montfermeil regarding a black man with horns who is said to bury treasure in the forest. It then focuses on the peculiar behavior of Boulatruelle, a former convict turned road-mender, who is observed digging in the woods, leading to speculation that he is searching for hidden treasure. Thénardier and the schoolmaster attempt to extract information from him, learning that Boulatruelle saw a person he recognized (likely a fellow ex-convict) bury a small coffer in the forest. Despite his efforts, Boulatruelle fails to find the buried item, and the incident becomes a topic of local gossip.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Human Condition and Fate

The chapter explores the superstitious beliefs and desperate actions of people like Boulatruelle, driven by the hope of finding treasure and altering their fate, reflecting the human condition in the face of poverty and uncertainty.

### Social Injustice and Poverty

Boulatruelle, a former convict unable to find regular work, is reduced to road-mending at reduced rates and is viewed with suspicion, highlighting the social marginalization and poverty faced by ex-convicts.

## Character check-ins

### Boulatruelle

A former convict turned road-mender, observed digging in the forest and suspected of searching for hidden treasure.

### Thénardier

The tavern proprietor who, along with the schoolmaster, tries to get Boulatruelle to reveal his secrets by plying him with wine.

### Jean Valjean

Mentioned as the liberated convict who was suspected of prowling around Montfermeil around the same time as Boulatruelle's activities.

## Key lines

> Moreover, if one plays at cards, one is sure to lose all that one possesses! and as for the powder in the horn, it possesses the property of making your gun burst in your face.

Playing cards leads to losing everything, and gunpowder in a horn will cause your gun to explode.

_This reflects the superstitious warnings associated with the devil's treasure, which supposedly includes cards and gunpowder._

> Fodit, et in fossa thesauros condit opaca, As, nummas, lapides, cadaver, simulacra, nihilque.

He digs and in the dark trench hides treasures: bronze, coins, stones, a corpse, specters, and nothing.

_These Latin verses by the monk Tryphon describe the varied and often worthless contents of the devil's buried treasure._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/ii-in-which-the-reader-will-peruse-two-verses-which-are-of-the-devil-s-composition-possibly
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters