Les Misérables · Chapter
Mother Plutarque Finds No Difficulty in Explaining a Phenomenon explained
Gavroche, hungry and without food for two days, ventures to an old garden to steal an apple but overhears the destitute M.
What happens
Gavroche, hungry and without food for two days, ventures to an old garden to steal an apple but overhears the destitute M. Mabeuf and his housekeeper Mother Plutarque discussing their inability to pay rent and buy food. Gavroche hides and witnesses Montparnasse passing by; he stealthily picks Montparnasse's pocket and throws the stolen purse over the hedge to Mabeuf, who finds it and, with Mother Plutarque, believes it fell from heaven.
Themes in this chapter
Social Injustice and Poverty
The chapter starkly portrays the desperation of poverty through Mabeuf's inability to pay for basic necessities and Gavroche's hunger-driven actions.
Mercy and Forgiveness
Gavroche's secret act of giving the stolen purse to Mabeuf is an unexpected gesture of compassion and mercy toward the old man.
Characters to notice
- Gavroche
Hungry and resourceful, Gavroche plans to steal an apple but instead overhears Mabeuf's plight, then pickpockets Montparnasse and secretly gives the purse to Mabeuf.
- M. Mabeuf
An elderly, impoverished man who cannot pay rent or buy food; he sits in his garden in despair and later finds the purse thrown by Gavroche.
- Mother Plutarque
Mabeuf's housekeeper who scolds him about unpaid bills and later declares the purse 'has fallen from heaven.'
- Montparnasse
A criminal figure who passes by the garden; Gavroche pickpockets him while he is distracted.
Key passages
“One evening, little Gavroche had had nothing to eat; he remembered that he had not dined on the preceding day either; this was becoming tiresome. He resolved to make an effort to secure some supper.”
Gavroche, who had not eaten for two days, decided to find food.
Highlights Gavroche's extreme hunger and his determination to survive.
“The old woman went away, the old man remained alone. He fell into thought. Gavroche became thoughtful also.”
After Mother Plutarque left, Mabeuf sat in silent contemplation, and Gavroche, watching, also grew pensive.
Shows the shared moment of reflection between the two characters despite their different circumstances.
“That has fallen from heaven, said Mother Plutarque.”
Mother Plutarque believed the purse had miraculously appeared from heaven.
Illustrates the housekeeper's superstitious interpretation of the sudden windfall.