Les Misérables · Chapter
A Burial; An Occasion to Be Born Again explained
In June 1832, the funeral of General Lamarque becomes the spark that ignites a popular uprising in Paris.
What happens
In June 1832, the funeral of General Lamarque becomes the spark that ignites a popular uprising in Paris. The procession, swelling with students, workers, and refugees, turns into a massive demonstration. After Lafayette's farewell, a red flag appears, and a confrontation with dragoons leads to shots, a charge, and the outbreak of a full-scale riot as the crowd arms itself and builds barricades.
Themes in this chapter
Revolution and Social Upheaval
The chapter depicts the funeral of General Lamarque as the spark that ignites a full-scale riot, with the crowd arming itself, building barricades, and clashing with dragoons.
Suffering and Sacrifice
Lamarque's death is mourned as a loss to the nation, and the ensuing violence leads to casualties (Cholet, an old woman) and the sacrifice of lives for the revolutionary cause.
The Human Condition and Fate
The crowd's behavior—enthusiasm mixed with dejection, the presence of criminals amid noble emotions—reflects the chaotic and unpredictable nature of human collective action in times of crisis.
Characters to notice
- Enjolras
Implied as one of the revolutionary leaders organizing the crowd; the chapter describes 'well-known leaders' collecting men and the Friends of the People marching.
- Gavroche
Not directly named, but the child who allegedly stabbed a dragoon with a dagger is a likely reference to Gavroche's later role in the barricades.
- M. Mabeuf
Not directly present in this excerpt, but the chapter's focus on the funeral and riot sets the stage for his later involvement.
- Courfeyrac
Implied as part of the Law School and Friends of the People contingent marching in the procession.
- Combeferre
Implied as part of the Medical School and Friends of the People contingent marching in the procession.
- Feuilly
Implied as part of the Friends of the People and the multinational refugee contingent marching with flags.
Key passages
“In the spring of 1832, although the cholera had been chilling all minds for the last three months and had cast over their agitation an indescribable and gloomy pacification, Paris had already long been ripe for commotion.”
By spring 1832, despite the cholera epidemic that had subdued the city's spirits, Paris was already primed for unrest.
Sets the historical context of disease and political tension.
“His death, which was expected, was dreaded by the people as a loss, and by the government as an occasion.”
Lamarque's anticipated death was feared by the populace as a tragedy and by the authorities as a potential trigger for rebellion.
Highlights the dual significance of Lamarque's death.
“Then all is said, the tempest is loosed, stones rain down, a fusillade breaks forth, many precipitate themselves to the bottom of the bank, and pass the small arm of the Seine, now filled in, the timber-yards of the Isle Louviers, that vast citadel ready to hand, bristle with combatants, stakes are torn up, pistol-shots fired, a barricade begun...”
In an instant, chaos erupts: stones fly, gunfire starts, people rush to the riverbank, and the timber yards become a fortress as fighters tear up stakes, fire pistols, and begin building a barricade.
Vividly describes the sudden outbreak of the riot.